Submitting HHCAHPS Test XML Data Files
folder_openData Submissionscalendar_todayPosted July 13, 2026
As discussed during the January 2026 HHCAHPS Update Webinar Training, HHCAHPS Survey vendors that will be submitting Quarter 2, 2026 data to the HHCAHPS Data Center in October 2026 are required to submit a test XML data file that passes all data validation checks using the updated Data Submission Tool on the HHCAHPS website.
Survey vendors who will not be submitting data in October may still participate in the test file submission exercise, but participation for them is optional. If your organization is interested in participating in the test submission, please alert the Coordination Team of this via email (hhcahps@rti.org) by Wednesday, 7/15 as our team will need to set up a dummy vendor authorization for a successful upload.
The table below displays the anticipated timeline of test file submission activities.
| Activity |
Estimated Date(s) |
| Last data submission of current survey data (2026Q1) |
7/16/2026 |
| HHCAHPS data submission tools unavailable for the transition of the updated tools |
7/17/2026 - 7/26/2026 |
| Test window for vendors to submit test XML data files |
7/27/2026 - 8/10/2026 |
|
HHCAHPS data submission tools unavailable to review test files and ready the live tools.
IMPORTANT: During this time, all test files and their data will be deleted from the system.
|
8/11/2026 - 8/30/2026 |
| Data submission tools re-open to accept live data for Quarter 2, 2026 |
8/31/2026 |
As your team prepares your test XML data file, please follow the guidance below:
- Use the updated XML data file layouts available on the Data Submission Resources webpage on the HHCAHPS website, under the “Updated Files” header.
- Adhere to the content guidelines for the XML data files:
- Include 100 test cases – 50 completes, 20 breakoffs, and 30 non-interview (ex: refusal, deceased, bad address, no response after max attempts, etc.).
- Use April, May or June 2026 for the Sample Month and Sample Year fields.
- There are no restrictions on other variables (e.g., survey mode, proxy, survey language).
- Use dummy data (i.e., vendors should NOT use live patient data as the test files will be deleted).
- Include “TEST” in the file name.
As part of this exercise, if your team receives a data validation error after submitting the revised XML data file, please address the error(s) and resubmit until there are no more remaining validation errors. Vendors should make note of the error(s) received and make any necessary corrections to their XML file generation system, process and/or quality control checks. If you receive a validation error that you are unable to correct, please reach out to the HHCAHPS Survey Coordination Team with details about the error so that we may assist you.
If you have questions, please contact the HHCAHPS Survey Coordination Team via email at hhcahps@rti.org or call toll-free at (866) 354-0985.