February 01, 2016

Fw: CMS Releases Additional Guidance to the Medicare EHR Incentive Program Hardship Exception Process


On Monday, February 1, 2016, 4:02 PM, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services <cmslists@subscriptions.cms.hhs.gov> wrote:

 

Visit the CMS Website to Apply for a Hardship Exception in 2015

CMS has launched important changes to the Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program hardship exception process that will reduce burdens on clinicians, hospitals, and critical access hospitals (CAHs). These changes are a result of recent Medicare legislation – the Patient Access and Medicare Protection Act (PAMPA), Pub. L. No. 114-115 – and the agency's ongoing efforts to improve the program.

CMS has released an FAQ outlining the documentation requirements for submitting the new hardship application to avoid the 2017 payment adjustment.

FAQ #14113 - On the new hardship application form for the 2017 payment adjustment there is nothing which says documentation is required to be submitted with the application form. Does this mean that CMS will only require the selection of a hardship category and the completion of the provider's identifying information in order to approve a hardship exception? Or will CMS be reviewing the application and documentation on a case-by-case basis for each provider?

CMS does not require an EP, eligible hospital, or CAH – or any group of providers – to submit documentation for the hardship category selected and CMS will not be reviewing documentation supporting the application on a case-by-case basis. CMS will review the application to record the category selected and use the identifying information to approve the hardship exception for each provider listed on the application. Providers should retain documentation of their circumstances for their own records, but no such documentation is required for review by CMS.

CMS has also updated FAQ #12845 to reflect these changes and to provide additional guidance specific to sub-category 2.2d of PAMPA – EHR Certification/Vendor Issues (CEHRT Issues). This category can be used for issues related to the 2015 rulemaking timeline and is included under the existing category for extreme and uncontrollable circumstances related to the implementation and use of certified EHR technology.

Providers who experienced an issue with their CEHRT related to the rule timing – and any other provider for whom the timing of the rule caused a significant hardship – should select sub-category 2.2d on the 2017 hardship exception application. No additional documentation is required for this selection.

For More Information
To review the hardship exception application and instructions, visit the Payment Adjustments and Hardship Information page on the CMS website.

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