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STAIRS to STEPS Transition for Cost Reports and GA-46 Reporting

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The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has launched a new web-based software application called the State of Texas Electronic Provider System (STEPS) to collect information from certain providers for cost reports. STEPS will have a phased release beginning February 2, 2026, and will replace the State of Texas Automated Information Reporting System (STAIRS).

STAIRS will be available until April 30, 2026.

Refer to the HHSC PFD Transition to STEPS System for STEPS launch updates. This resource includes the phased transition release plan to identify impacted providers and lists the opening and closing dates for each enrollment and report.

Verify an Email Address in PEMS for Use in STEPS

STEPS uses the following two email addresses from the Provider Enrollment and Management System (PEMS) to obtain the required access:

  • The National Provider Identifier (NPI) primary email address, which serves as the primary entity contact (PEC) in STEPS, allows access to providers’ cost reports. The PEC will be able to create additional roles within STEPS to delegate tasks.
  • The contact information email address is used for the GA-46 report certifier.

Providers that access their cost reports through STEPS must verify that their primary email address is up to date in PEMS.

The primary, secondary, and administrator email addresses in PEMS receive notices related to enrollment and other types of email communication from the Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership (TMHP). To ensure that they receive all PEMS enrollment notices, providers should update their PEMS secondary email address as the PEMS enrollment contact.

Note: Only PEMS administrators can update email addresses in PEMS. Therefore, PECs should coordinate with their administrator to make updates when needed.

For instructions on updating the primary, secondary, and contact information email addresses in PEMS, refer to How to Update or Verify an Email Address in PEMS to Be a PEC in STEPS.

Important: The PEC will be responsible to forward any cost report emails to the appropriate contact within their entity.

Providers should allow two business days after submitting an email address change in PEMS for STEPS to reflect the updated PEC.

For more information about PEMS updates, call the TMHP Contact Center at 800-925-9126.

STEPS Resources

For more information about the STEPS rollout, refer to the HHSC PFD Transition to STEPS System website where the following topics are covered:

  • Transition guides for system access and training
  • STEPS User Guide
  • STEPS Registration Instructions
  • STAIRS to STEPS Transition FAQ
  • STEPS Transition Phased Release Plan
  • IAMOnline Guide