Hardship Exemption Extended

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has reopened the submission period for hardship exception applications for eligible professionals and eligible hospitals to avoid the 2015 Medicare payment adjustments for not demonstrating meaningful use of Certified Electronic Health Record Technology (CEHRT). The new deadline is 11:59 PM EST November 30, 2014. Previously, the hardship exception application deadline was April 1, 2014 for eligible hospitals and July 1, 2014 for eligible professionals.

Eligible professionals and eligible hospitals may be exempt from payment and adjustments if they can show that demonstrating meaningful use would results in a significant hardship. To be considered for an exemption, an eligible professional or eligible hospital must complete a Hardship Exemption application along with proof of hardship. If approved, the hardship exemption is valid for one payment year only. A new application must be submitted if the hardship continues for the following payment year. In no case may a provider be granted an exemption for more than 5 years.

According to CMS:

"This reopened hardship exception application submission period is for eligible professionals and eligible hospitals that:

• "Have been unable to fully implement 2014 Edition CEHRT due to delays in 2014 Edition CEHRT availability;
• "Eligible professionals who were unable to attest by October 1, 2014 and eligible hospitals that were unable to attest by July 1, 2014 using the flexibility options provided in the CMS 2014 CEHRT Flexibility Rule.

"These are the only circumstances that will be considered for this reopened hardship exception application submission period. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST November 30, 2014."

Please don't hesitate to contact Precision if you need assistance with filing a hardship exemption.