Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CMS Enterprise Portal?

The CMS Enterprise Portal is a convenient single point of entry to numerous CMS applications, systems, and databases.

Who is eligible to have a CMS User Account?

All US citizens who are over 18 years of age and have a valid US residential address are eligible to have a CMS User Account.

Who do I contact for Portal Login issues?

CMS Portal Login issues should be directed to XOSC Tier 1 support at 1-855-267-1515 or CMS_FEPS@cms.hhs.gov.

What is CMS EIDM?

EIDM is the acronym for CMS' Enterprise Identity Management system which includes Identity Verification, Access Management, Authorization Assistance Workflow Tools, and Identity Lifecycle Management functions (i.e., Password Reset, Forgot User ID, etc.).

How can I view the User Guide?

Click on the User Operations Document link to view. Access the User Operations Document from the CMS Enterprise Portal Help & FAQs section. For recently migrated IACS users please refer to the IACS User Guide.

What is a CMS EIDM User account?

An EIDM account ensures that only authorized/registered users can access protected information and systems through the CMS Enterprise Portal.

Who is eligible to have a CMS EIDM User Account?

All US citizens who are over 18 years of age and have a current or previous valid US residential address are eligible to have a CMS EIDM User Account.

I am new to CMS Enterprise Portal. How should I create my user account?

Once you are on the CMS Enterprise portal, select the 'New User Registration' hyperlink. You are required to enter your personal information and choose desired User ID/Password as per the guidelines provided. Once the details have been successfully updated in EIDM, the system will display a message confirming the creation of the user account.

Why should I submit personal information at the time of registering my user account and how safe is it?

EIDM collects personal information to uniquely identify the user registering with the system. We may also use your answers to the challenge questions and other PII to later identify you in case you forget or misplace your User ID /Password For security level information please visit: http://cms.gov/About-CMS/Agency-Information/Aboutwebsite/Privacy-Policy.html

What will you do with my Personal Identifiable Information (PII)?

EIDM uses an external authentication service provider, Experian, to help us verify your identity based on the information that you provided. Experian verifies your information against its records to successfully identify you. CMS provides, on the public-facing websites, the Terms & Conditions of how your information will be handled when registering for a CMS EIDM user account.

Will my Social Security Number (SSN) be shared with any federal or private agency?

Your SSN will be used for verification purposes only. EIDM does not share your SSN with any other federal or private agency.

Why am I not able to change my User ID?

The User ID identifies you uniquely to EIDM; therefore, you cannot change your User ID.

What is Identity Verification?

Identity Verification is the process of providing sufficient information (e.g., identity history, credentials, or documents) to a service provider for the purpose of proving that a person or object is the same person or object that it claims to be. Individuals requesting electronic access to CMS protected information or systems must be identity proofed prior to being given access.

What is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)?

MFA is an approach to security authentication which requires users of a system to provide more than one form of verification in order to prove their identity and be allowed access to the system. It includes verification by something a user knows (such as a password) and something a user has (such as a security token), before gaining access to an online application.

When I try to login I get an error message “Your information cannot be verified please try again”. What should I do?

Please check the User ID and password that you entered. An incorrect combination of these will result in such an error message.

When I try to login, I get the error message stating "Your account is disabled. Contact the Help Desk to enable your account". Why does this happen?

A user's account can be disabled by Application help desks or EIDM Administrators for possible reasons linked to security violations or fraud detection. In order to enable your disabled account, you are required to contact the application helpdesk.

When I try to login, I get the error message stating "Your account has been locked. Please try again later." Why did this happen and how can I get my account unlocked?

After three unsuccessful attempts to login, your account will be locked. Your account will be unlocked after 60 minutes have elapsed since your third consecutive failed authentication attempt. You are required to enter valid credentials associated to your user account to unlock the account.

When I try to login, I am directed to the ‘Unlock My Account’ view. Why is this and how do I unlock my account?

EIDM locks your user account if no account activity is reported for 60 days. When you login after 60 days the system will display the ‘Unlock my Account’ view; enter your User ID and correctly answer all challenge questions on the next page; enter your new password in the input fields of ‘New Password’ and ‘Confirm New Password’ to unlock your account.

Why do I need to answer challenge questions when unlocking my user account?

EIDM needs to verify your identity. Your response to the challenge questions will enable EIDM to confirm your identity and help you proceed in getting your account unlocked. This also protects you from identity theft.

Where can I find information regarding who has the right to request a Social Security Number (SSN)?

Federal law mandates that state departments of motor vehicles, tax authorities, welfare offices, and other governmental agencies request your SSN as proof that you are who you claim to be. However, the Privacy Act of 1974 requires that any government agency requesting your SSN provide details on how this information will be used, and what law or authority requires its use. For information on who has the right to request your SSN, see Who Can Lawfully Request My Social Security Number? The Privacy Act can be read at the following link: The Privacy Act of 1974

What is an EUA User account?

EUA is an acronym for Enterprise User Administration system which manages the 4 character CMS user ids.

How does my EUA account get locked?

If you have three consecutive unsuccessful login attempts, your account will be locked.

How do I get my EUA account unlocked?

To reset or unlock your EUA account, call the CMS helpdesk at 1-800-562-1963.

How do I get more information about EUA?

For more information, you can go to the EUA page on the CMS.gov website.

What browsers are supported by the CMS Enterprise Portal?

The CMS Enterprise Portal supports the following browsers:

• Internet Explorer 8
• Internet Explorer 9
• Internet Explorer 10
• Internet Explorer 11
• Firefox
• Chrome
• Safari

What browser mode is supported?

There are different browser modes that can be specified by you, the user. Only the native browser mode is supported. For example, if you are using Internet Explorer 8, the supported browser mode is IE8. If you are using IE9, the supported browser mode is IE9. To find out what browser mode you are using, hit the F12 key while in IE. The top of the resulting window/panel will show the browser mode being used.

What document mode is supported?

There are different document modes that can be specified by you, the user. Only the native document mode is supported. For example, if the user is using Internet Explorer 8, the supported document mode is IE8 standards. If the user is using IE9, the supported document mode is IE9. To find out what document mode being used, hit the F12 key while in IE. The top of the resulting window/panel will show the document mode being used.

Is javascript required for the CMS Enterprise Portal?

Javascript needs to be enabled for successful use of the Enterprise Portal.

What are Enterprise Portal email alerts?

Enterprise Portal email alerts is a communication tool that allows portal users to subscribe to notification lists which deliver important and timely CMS information.

How do I sign up for Enterprise Portal email alerts?

Users can elect to receive Enterprise Portal email alerts by clicking the Get Email Updates link on the Enterprise Portal landing page.

How do I subscribe to specific Enterprise Portal email alert distribution lists?

Users can subscribe to various distribution lists by clicking the Manage Your Subscriptions link on the Enterprise Portal landing page and the Add Subscriptions link on the Subscriber Preferences page.