In October, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released its final rule for Stage 3 of the Electronic Health Record Incentive Program, along with numerous changes to Stages 1 and 2, as well as 2015 EHR certification criteria.
In early November, a coalition of medical societies -- led by AMA -- researched the reasons for the failures to meet Stage 2 requirements. According to the group, only a small percentage of physicians had successfully attested in Stage 2 by early November. This was due to the exchange of information between providers with different programs that are not interfaced and an excessive amount of documentation requirements.
All eligible professionals must begin Stage 3 in 2018 at the latest. Physician who do not attest face reductions in their Medicare payments. However, in December, CMS created a hardship exception for the year 2015. Solo and group professionals are eligible and may use one single form. The hardship is for the year 2015 and for the payment in 2017. The deadline for the application is March 15, 2016. This deadline holds firm for eligible physicians and hospitals. Eligible hospitals have until April 1, 2016.
Click here for more information including the links to the application forms.
Authored by
Joseph Wager, MS, RCP
CAP Senior Risk Management & Patient Safety Specialist
If you have questions about this article, please contact us. This information should not be considered legal advice applicable to a specific situation. Legal guidance for individual matters should be obtained from a retained attorney.