iQIES file and system errors for OASIS submissions (-901 to -930)

CMS's OASIS Error Message Reference Guide v2.4 lists 18 errors with type System. CMS's guide gives them that type; they have no ID in the data specifications edit list. 14 are fatal and 4 are warnings. CMS's text for each is copied without rewording.

The errors

-901: Invalid Zip File

Error ID: -901
Severity: Fatal
Type: System
Error message: Invalid Zip File: Unable to process the submitted file.
Potential cause: • The submitted file is not formatted properly. The contents of the file could not be extracted.• The submitted .zip file is not compressed.• The submitted file is a .zipx file.• The submitted file is empty.• The submitted file is encrypted.
Tips: • The submitted file must be a properly formatted .zip file. No other compression format, such as .zipx, is valid.• The .zip file should not contain subfolders.• The name of the .zip file must not exceed 260 characters, including the extension (.zip).• The name of each XML file included in the .zip file must not exceed 200 characters, including the extension.• The name of an XML file must not include special characters.
Action: • Contact the software vendor for technical assistance.• Refer vendor to the OASIS Data Specifications for details of file submission requirements.• Recreate and/or rename the .zip file and resubmit.
Effective start date: 2010-01-01
Effective end date: 2099-12-31 (CMS uses this date for an open-ended entry)

-902: Invalid XML File

Error ID: -902
Severity: Fatal
Type: System
Error message: Invalid XML File: The submitted file does not have a valid XML file name extension.
Potential cause: The submitted file name does not end with “.xml”.
Tips: • The name of an XML file must not exceed 200 characters, including the extension (.xml).• The name of an XML file must not include special characters.
Action: • Contact the software vendor for technical assistance.• Refer vendor to the OASIS Data Specifications for details of file submission requirements.• Recreate and/or rename the assessment file, zip the file, and resubmit.
Effective start date: 2010-01-01
Effective end date: 2099-12-31 (CMS uses this date for an open-ended entry)

-903: Required Item Missing or Invalid

Error ID: -903
Severity: Fatal
Type: System
Error message: Required Item Missing or Invalid: Based on the OASIS Data Specifications in effect on the target date of this record, this item is required.
Potential cause: • A valid value was not submitted in this item. Based upon the OASIS Data Submission Specifications in effect for this record, this item is required.• The length of the value submitted for this item exceeds the maximum length allowed.
Tips: Refer to the data specifications in effect for this record to identify the acceptable values for this item.
Action: Make appropriate corrections to the record and resubmit.
Effective start date: 2010-01-01
Effective end date: 2099-12-31 (CMS uses this date for an open-ended entry)

-904: Invalid XML File Format

Error ID: -904
Severity: Fatal
Type: System
Error message: Invalid XML File Format: The submitted file is not structured properly.
Potential cause: The submitted record is not a properly structured XML file and cannot be processed.
Tips: • Beginning and ending tags must enclose the entire assessment record.• Beginning and ending tags must enclose each item of the assessment record.• Tags must not exceed 30 characters. This does not count the delimiters (< >) in which the tags must be enclosed.• Values submitted between the beginning and ending tags for an item must not exceed 100 characters.• Note:• When error -904 occurs, the file cannot be processed by the system; therefore, a system-generated final validation report cannot be created. This error is identified only on the Submitter Final Validation Report.
Action: • Contact the software vendor.• Make appropriate corrections to the record and resubmit.
Effective start date: 2010-01-01
Effective end date: 2099-12-31 (CMS uses this date for an open-ended entry)

-905: Invalid Effective Date

Error ID: -905
Severity: Fatal
Type: System
Error message: Invalid Effective Date: Unable to calculate the effective date due to missing or invalid required field.
Potential cause: The iQIES System is unable to verify the effective date of this record because the value submitted in item M0090 (Date Assessment Completed) is missing or invalid.
Tips: Refer to the data specifications in effect for this record to identify the acceptable values for this item.
Action: Make appropriate corrections to the record and resubmit.
Effective start date: 2010-01-01
Effective end date: 2099-12-31 (CMS uses this date for an open-ended entry)

-907: Duplicate Assessment

Error ID: -907
Severity: Fatal
Type: System
Error message: Duplicate Assessment: The submitted record is a duplicate of a previously accepted record.
Potential cause: The submitted record is a duplicate of a previously accepted record for this patient.
Tips: Duplicate records match on the following items:• HHA Agency ID• Effective Date• M0040-First (First name)• M0040-Last (Last name)• M0064 (Social Security Number)• M0066 (Birth Date)• A0810 (Sex)• M0100 (Reason For Assessment)• Effective Date is defined as:• - M0030 (Start of Care Date) when M0100 (Reason for Assessment) is 01;• - M0032 (Resumption of Care Date) when M0100 is 03;• - M0090 (Date Assessment Completed) when M0100 is 04 or 05;• - M0906 (Discharge/Transfer/Death Date) when M0100 is 06, 07. Or 08.
Action: • Determine why this record was submitted multiple times.• DO NOT resubmit this record as it is already in the database.
Effective start date: 2010-01-01
Effective end date: 2099-12-31 (CMS uses this date for an open-ended entry)

-909: Inconsistent Record Sequence

Error ID: -909
Severity: Warning
Type: System
Error message: Inconsistent Record Sequence: Under CMS sequencing guidelines, the type of assessment in this record does not logically follow the type of assessment in the record received prior to this one.
Potential cause: The submitted record does not satisfy CMS sequencing guidelines when compared to the record that was submitted to the iQIES System prior to this one for this patient.
Tips: • The reasons for assessment in this record indicate that it was submitted out of order. The record that should have preceded this record may not have been submitted successfully.• The patient’s identifying information in this record may differ from the patient-identifying information submitted for this patient in a prior record. The current and prior records may have matched to different resident records causing what appears to be a failure in the sequencing order.• There are a limited number of exceptions to the sequencing guidelines.Definition:• Resident Table Row: Each person for whom an OASIS record is submitted to the iQIES System is noted in a row on the resident table in the database. This row contains the person’s identifying information and is used to link subsequent OASIS records for that person as they are submitted. If identifying information submitted for a patient does not match an existing row, a new row is created, identifying a “new” person in the database. The OASIS record submitted is linked to this “new” person.
Action: • If this record is correct due to an exception, no action is necessary.• If this message occurred because a record was completed and not submitted, submit the missing record now.• Review activity reports and/or roster reports to ensure that all records are submitted timely.• If after reviewing activity reports and/or roster reports, and a new patient may have been created in error, contact the State OASIS Automation Coordinator.• Refer to the current OASIS Guidance Manual for additional information.
Effective start date: 2010-01-01
Effective end date: 2099-12-31 (CMS uses this date for an open-ended entry)

-914: Invalid Format

Error ID: -914
Severity: Fatal
Type: System
Error message: Invalid Format: The value submitted for this item contains one or more non-printable or control characters.
Potential cause: The value submitted for this item is invalid; it cannot contain non-printable or control characters.
Tips: Ensure values submitted are compliant and resubmit
Action: Make appropriate corrections to the record and resubmit.
Effective start date: 2010-01-01
Effective end date: 2099-12-31 (CMS uses this date for an open-ended entry)

-915: Patient Information Mismatch

Error ID: -915
Severity: Warning
Type: System
Error message: Patient Information Mismatch: Submitted value(s) for the item(s) listed do not match the values in the iQIES database. If the record was accepted, the patient information in the database was updated. Verify that the new information is correct.
Potential cause: Based on patient-matching criteria, patient (patient) information in this OASIS record, though not identical, is similar enough to patient (patient) information in the iQIES System that a match was identified. If the record was accepted, one or more fields in the iQIES System were updated with the new or previously missing information.
Tips: • The patient-matching process may update the following patient (patient) information:• last name• first name• middle initial• birth date• death date• social security number• Medicare number• Medicaid number• Sex• race/ethnicity• current Facility Internal ID• Example:• The patient’s first name was spelled differently, the birth date was entered incorrectly, or the agency is now submitting information that was previously unknown (such as the Medicare or Medicaid number).• Definition:• Patient-matching criteria: Criteria used to match key patient-identifying information in an assessment record with an existing patient (patient) known to the iQIES System.
Action: • Verify the old and new information.• If the new information is correct, no action is required.• If the new information is not correct, make appropriate modifications to the record and resubmit.• Refer to the OASIS Correction policy as necessary.
Effective start date: 2010-01-01
Effective end date: 2099-12-31 (CMS uses this date for an open-ended entry)

-916: Multiple Matches Found

Error ID: -916
Severity: Fatal
Type: System
Error message: Multiple Matches Found: The submitted record matches multiple records in the database. Please contact the iQIES Help Desk.
Potential cause: The submitted record matches multiple records in the iQIES database.
Tips: • Confirm this is a new record for submission and not a duplicate.• If this is a modification or inactivation, ensure it is marked as such
Action: • Contact the iQIES Service Center for assistance.• DO NOT resubmit this record as it is already in the database.
Effective start date: 2010-01-01
Effective end date: 2099-12-31 (CMS uses this date for an open-ended entry)

-921: Assessment Completed Late

Error ID: -921
Severity: Fatal
Type: System
Error message: Assessment Completed Late: The M0090 date was more than 24 months prior to the submission date.
Potential cause: The submitted assessment was not completed according to CMS timing guidelines that require that an assessment to be submitted within 24 months of M0090 (Date Assessment Completed).
Tips: • The Date Assessment Completed must be less than the Submission Date by at least 24 months.• To avoid this error in the future, review the assessment schedule and verify that all assessments are completed in a timely manner.
Action: Make appropriate corrections to the record and resubmit.
Effective start date: 2010-01-01
Effective end date: 2099-12-31 (CMS uses this date for an open-ended entry)

-922: Submission Period Expired

Error ID: -922
Severity: Fatal
Type: System
Error message: Submission Period Expired: The assessment was submitted 24 months after the agency's closed date.
Potential cause: The submission date of this record is more than 24 months after the date the agency closed.
Tips: • Ensure the correct date is submitted.• In the future, be more timely with submissions
Action: If you believe this error is invalid, contact the State OASIS Automation Coordinator.
Effective start date: 2010-01-01
Effective end date: 2099-12-31 (CMS uses this date for an open-ended entry)

-923: Inconsistent Dates

Error ID: -923
Severity: Fatal
Type: System
Error message: Inconsistent Dates: M0090 is greater than the agency’s termination date.
Potential cause: The value submitted for M0090 (Date Assessment Completed) is greater than (occurs after) the agency’s termination date.
Tips: • Target Date – The target date identifies when the assessment event occurred. Based upon the value of A0250 (Reason for Assessment), the target date is defined as follows:• A0220 (Admission Date) when A0250 is 01• A0270 (Discharge Date) when A0250 is 10, 11, or 12
Action: • Make appropriate corrections to the record and resubmit.• If you believe this error is invalid, contact your State OASIS Automation Coordinator.
Effective start date: 2010-01-01
Effective end date: 2099-12-31 (CMS uses this date for an open-ended entry)

-924: Test Record Processed

Error ID: -924
Severity: Warning
Type: System
Error message: Test Record Processed: The submitting agency is not identified as being certified at this time; this record was processed as a test record. If you believe this is incorrect, please contact your state OASIS Automation Coordinator.
Potential cause: The agency submitting this record is not identified by the iQIES system as being certified at this time.
Tips: This record was processed as a test record
Action: If you believe this error is invalid, contact the State OASIS Automation Coordinator.
Effective start date: 2010-01-01
Effective end date: 2099-12-31 (CMS uses this date for an open-ended entry)

-925: Record Timing Invalid

Error ID: -925
Severity: Warning
Type: System
Error message: Record Timing Invalid: CMS timing guidelines require recertification follow-up records (M0100=4) at least every 60 days, but no earlier than day 56 of the follow-up cycle.
Potential cause: The submitted record does not satisfy CMS timing guidelines.
Tips: • Completion dates for the first and any subsequent follow-up assessments are calculated relative to the start of care date.• Follow-up assessments must be completed every 60 days a patient is under care.• A follow-up assessment should be completed on or after the 56th day and on or before the 60th day of the cycle.• There are a limited number of exceptions to the timing guidelines.
Action: • If this record is correct due to an exception, no action is necessary.• Refer to the current OASIS Guidance Manual for additional information.
Effective start date: 2010-01-01
Effective end date: 2099-12-31 (CMS uses this date for an open-ended entry)

-926: Invalid CCN

Error ID: -926
Severity: Fatal
Type: System
Error message: Invalid CCN: M0010 must not equal blank (^) for a CMS-certified agency.
Potential cause: The value submitted in M0010 (CMS Certification Number) must match the CCN on file in the iQIES System for the CMS-certified provider identified by the HHA_AGENCY_ID in this record.
Tips: The CCN was not entered into the encoding software that created the submission file.
Action: Verify that the CCN in the encoding software is not blank.
Effective start date: 2010-01-01
Effective end date: 2099-12-31 (CMS uses this date for an open-ended entry)

-929: Multiple Branch ID Records Found

Error ID: -929
Severity: Fatal
Type: System
Error message: Multiple Branch ID Records Found: The Branch ID in the submitted record matches multiple Branch ID records in the database. Please contact your state OASIS Automation Coordinator.
Potential cause: The value submitted in M0016 (Branch ID Number) matches multiple Branch ID records in the database.
Tips: Confirm the value submitted is accurate then complete the Actions recommended
Action: • Notify the state OASIS Automation Coordinator of this error condition.• Once the condition is resolved, make appropriate corrections to the record, if necessary, and resubmit.
Effective start date: 2010-01-01
Effective end date: 2099-12-31 (CMS uses this date for an open-ended entry)

-930: Invalid Target Date

Error ID: -930
Severity: Fatal
Type: System
Error message: Invalid Target Date: The calculated target date is greater than the submission date.
Potential cause: The calculated target date of this record is later than the date the record was submitted.
Tips: Target Date = M0090 (Date Assessment Completed)
Action: Make appropriate corrections to the record and resubmit.
Effective start date: 2010-01-01
Effective end date: 2099-12-31 (CMS uses this date for an open-ended entry)

Sources

CMS QTSO, OASIS Error Message Reference Guide v2.4 (Excel), posted 2026-02-05. https://qtso.cms.gov/system/files/qtso/OASIS%20Error%20Message%20Reference%20Guide%20FINAL%202.4.26.xlsx
CMS QTSO, iQIES OASIS Error Message Reference Guide, Version 2.4, February 5, 2026 (PDF). https://qtso.cms.gov/system/files/qtso/OASIS%20Error%20Message%20User%20Guide%20v2.4%20FINAL%202.5.26.pdf

All OASIS edit codes