SHARS FFY 2025 Cost Report Opening
Be advised that the federal fiscal year (FFY) 2025 School Health and Related Services (SHARS) cost report will be opening on April 1, 2026, in the new State of Texas Electronic Provider System (STEPS.)
To access the STEPS system, users must register through IAMOnline. IAMOnline is a State of Texas identity and access management platform that serves as the single-entry point to STEPS and other HHSC systems. Users must log in through IAMOnline each time they access STEPS.
Primary Entity Contact in the Provider Enrollment and Management System
The Primary Entity Contact (PEC) listed in the Provider Enrollment and Management System (PEMS) must reflect the entity’s current PEC. Your Local Education Agency’s (LEA’s) SHARS cost report will not populate in STEPS unless the email address in PEMS for the PEC matches the PEC email address used to register in STEPS. HHSC cannot update a PEC designation on behalf of an entity in PEMS or in STEPS.
In the new STEPS system, only the PEC of an entity can assign Financial Contacts (FCs.) The PEC or the FC can assign a preparer for cost report submission after the preparer has completed the required training. The PEC is identified based on the approved primary email address associated with the entity’s National Provider Identifier (NPI) in the Texas Medicaid and Healthcare Partnership (TMHP) PEMS.
Entities should review their PEC information to ensure that the information is current. If updates are needed, Section 5, age 10 of the STEPS General System Guide provides instructions for editing the PEC list. Entities are responsible for reviewing available guidance and ensuring timely completion of required actions.
PECs will not be able to view their SHARS cost reports in STEPS until cost reports open on April 1, 2026.
How to register for STEPS
Certain users were pre-identified by HHSC for STEPS access. Follow the instructions on the STEPS website under the “STEPS Pre-Identified Registration User List.” If you were not pre-identified by HHSC, follow the instructions below.
Follow the steps listed under the “Request a New Account for Non-HHS User” heading on page 1, Step 3 of the STEPS External IAMOnline User Guide. After completing the access request, users will receive a registration email to activate their account. Ensure your firewall allows email from “noreply@okta.com” and check your spam or junk mail folders, as the activation link is only available for seven calendar days. If the link expires, or is not received within three days of completing the registration steps, call the HHSC Enterprise Service Desk at (512) 438-4720 or (855) 435-7181 to request a new link (see additional details below under Support and Assistance.)
Required Trainings in STEPS
All preparers and FCs or PECs submitting or certifying a cost report will be required to complete mandatory training for the SHARS program, available in STEPS, for completion. Preparers must successfully complete the training before the PEC can assign them as Preparer for a cost report.
Support and Assistance
If you are unable to complete the registration process after following the STEPS guide, contact the HHSC Enterprise Service Desk for assistance.
IMPORTANT: Registered users must log in to IAMOnline at least once every 90 days to maintain access; otherwise the account will be disabled. If an account is disabled, contact the HHSC Enterprise Service Desk to reactivate your account.
- Call the HHSC Enterprise Service Desk at (512) 438-4720 or (855) 435-7181 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., CST, Monday-Friday.
- Select the Consolidated Helpdesk, Option 1;
- When prompted for an employee number, enter your employee number or select “*” if you do not have an employee number; and
- Remain on the line while the automated prompts continue.
- After the prompts conclude, your call will be routed to a live help desk agent, and you will be asked to provide your name and email where the registration link was submitted.
- Reference that you are calling about gaining access to IAMOnline and STEPS and explain the issue you are experiencing.
- If you did not receive the email, check your spam and junk folders first.
- If you think your organization has blocked the email, ensure you have marked the sender “noreply@okta.com” as “safe” prior to calling the help desk to request a new email be sent.
Resources
Visit the STEPS website for the most current information about the system transition, including system user guides, registration guides, transition materials, and frequently asked questions.
The STEPS External IAMOnline User Guide contains answers to frequently asked registration questions.
Contact Information
For questions about STEPS functionality or issues with STEPS, contact HHSC using one of the following:
For questions about PEMS, contact TMHP using one of the following:
- Call the TMHP Contact Center at (800) 925-9126 or the TMHP-CSHCN Services Program Contact Center at (800) 568-2413
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Email TMHP to request assistance with enrollment maintenance
For questions regarding SHARS, contact the HHSC SHARS staff at (512) 730-7400 or by email.
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