If you are an eligible professional (EP) and you are unable to implement EHR Technology certified to the 2014 edition certification criteria in time to successfully demonstrate meaningful use for the 2014 reporting year, you may be eligible for a hardship exception from the applicable Medicare payment adjustments. Download the EP Hardship Exemption Tip Sheet.
Below please find some FAQs regarding the 2014 CEHRT Hardship Exception for Eligible Professionals.
When do payment adjustments take effect?
The Medicare EHR Incentive Program will begin implementing payment adjustments for eligible professionals in 2015. These payment adjustments are applied for the calendar year two years following the reporting year. For the 2013 reporting year, the adjustment is in 2015, and for the 2014 reporting year, the adjustment is in 2016. CMS has also included an opportunity for new participants to submit their data early in the reporting year to gain exception from the next calendar year adjustment in addition to the normal two year cycle. This means that new participants in 2014 could avoid the 2015 payment adjustment (in addition to the 2016 adjustment based on the 2014 reporting year) even if they did not demonstrate meaningful use in 2013.
Who should apply and what are the deadlines?
CMS is currently accepting hardship exception applications for the 2015 payment adjustment. This means that providers who did not demonstrate meaningful use in 2013 may apply for an exception at this time.
New Participants in 2014:
If you are new to the program, and intended to demonstrate meaningful use for the first time in 2014, but you are not able to implement 2014 certified EHR technology for the 2014 reporting year, you may apply for a hardship exception for the 2015 payment adjustment even if you did not demonstrate meaningful use in 2013.
- Use the eligible professional hardship exception form for 2015
- Indicate the reason you are applying for a hardship
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- Select “2014 Vendor Issues”
- Submit your application by July 1, 2014
Returning Meaningful Users in 2014:
If you successfully demonstrated meaningful use for the 2013 reporting year you will not be subject to the 2015 payment adjustment. If you are not able to implement 2014 certified EHR technology for a 2014 reporting period, you may apply for a hardship exception for the 2016 payment adjustment.
- Use the eligible professional hardship exception form for 2016 which will be available after July 1, 2014
- Indicate the reason you are applying for a hardship
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- Select “2014 Vendor Issues” “
- Submit your application by July 1, 2015
Note: Payment adjustments are only applicable to the Medicare EHR Incentive Program. If you are only eligible for the Medicaid program, you will not be subject to payment adjustments and you do not need to apply for a hardship exception. However, if you are eligible for both programs, you must demonstrate meaningful use in either Medicare or Medicaid in order to avoid the payment adjustment or you may apply for a hardship exception. Receiving a payment for adopt/implement/upgrade under the Medicaid incentive program will not exempt you from the Medicare payment adjustment.
Download the EP Hardship Exception Application.