March 4, 2026
2026 Hospital IQR Program Resources
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and Inpatient and Outpatient Healthcare Quality Systems Development and Program Support has announce that calendar year 2026 Hospital IQR Program resources are now available.
These resources are available on the QualityNet and/or Quality Reporting Center webpages as noted below:
Hospital IQR Program Measures – Click Here to access these guides:
- Hospital IQR Program Measures
- Lists the measures included in the Hospital IQR Program, the data source, where data are submitted, and a link to the measure specification.
- Acute Care Hospital Quality Improvement Program Measures
- Lists the measures in the Hospital Quality Reporting programs and the measurement period, including publicly reported measures.
Web-Based Data Collection – click Here to access these guides:
- Hospital IQR Program Quick Reference Guide: Fiscal Year 2027 Web-Based Measures
- Provides guidance and helpful tips to submit the Maternal morbidity, Age Friendly Hospital, and Patient Safety Structural measures and the Data Accuracy and Completeness Acknowledgement
The guides listed below provide information and examples to assist and support hospital responses to the statements included in each of the measures.
- Attestation Guide for the Maternal Morbidity Structural Measure
- Patient Safety Structural Measure Specifications and Attestation Guide
- Age Friendly Hospital Measure Specifications and Attestation Guide
Participation Guides – Click Here to access these guides:
- Hospital IQR Program Guide
- Outlines the Hospital IQR Program participation requirements, including validation, and information about measures, data submission, and public reporting.
- Important Dates and Deadlines
- Provides the upcoming submission deadlines
Notice of Participation – Click Here to access these guides:
- Notice of Participation (NOP) Quick Reference Guide
- Explains the NOP requirement and how to complete the form
Resources – Click Here to access these guides:
- Hospital IQR Program: Summary of Fiscal Year 2026 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) Final Rule Changes
- Provides a high-level overview of the proposed changes that were finalized in the final year 2026 IPPS final rule
Tools and Resources – Click Here to access these guides:
- Submission Requirements and Accessing and Using Your Provider Participation Report (PPR)
- Provides step-by-step guidance on how to access and navigate through the Hospital IQR Program submissions dashboard and the PPR
- Quick Support Reference Card
- Provides the different resources that are available for the Hospital IQR Program
- CMS Quality Reporting & Payment Programs Overview
- Provides a high-level summary of the different CMS Hospital Quality Reporting and Pay-for-Performance Programs
For assistance regarding this information, please contact Inpatient and Outpatient Healthcare Quality Systems Development and Program Support at: https://cmsqualitysupport.servicenowservices.com/qnet_qa?id=ask_a_question