Local News

rss

2015 Medicare Meaningful Use Hardship Exception Applications Now Available

APPLYING FOR A MEANINGFUL USE EXCEPTION Because of a delay in the publication of regulations governing the Medicare meaningful use program, CMS is allowing eligible physicians and hospitals to apply for an exception under the “extreme and uncontrollable circumstances” category. Physicians are urged to preemptively file for a 2015 hardship exception to avoid penalties in 2016. Physicians are encouraged to apply even if they are uncertain whether they will meet the program requirements this year. Doing so will not preclude physicians from receiving an incentive if they do meet meaningful ...

Meaningful Use Hardship Relief Act of 2015

From the AMA We would like to make you aware that Rep. Tom Price, MD (R-GA) introduced HR 3940, the “Meaningful Use Hardship Relief Act of 2015” November 5, 2015. As you know, in order to avoid a penalty under the Meaningful Use program, eligible professionals must attest that they met the requirements for MU Stage 2 for a period of 90 consecutive days during calendar year 2015. However, CMS did not publish the Modifications Rule for Stage 2 of MU until October 16, 2015 — meaning that by ...

New EHR Attestation Deadline for Medicare Eligible Professionals: March 20, 2015

Eligible professionals now have until 11:59 pm ET on March 20, 2015, to attest to meaningful use for the Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program 2014 reporting year. CMS extended the deadline to allow providers extra time to submit their meaningful use data. CMS continues to urge providers to begin attesting for 2014 as soon as they can. This extension also allows eligible professionals — who have not already used their one “switch” — to switch programs (from Medicare to Medicaid, or vice versa) for the 2014 payment year until ...

Eligible Professionals Must Submit Hardship Exception Applications by July 1, 2014

Eligible Professionals Must Submit Hardship Exception Applications by July 1, 2014 By the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services CMS reminds eligible professionals that the deadline to submit a hardship exception application is approaching. An interactive tool is available to help eligible professionals determine if they will avoid upcoming 2015 and 2016 Medicare EHR Incentive Program payment adjustments by demonstrating meaningful use, or if they should apply for a hardship exception. If an eligible professional determines that they need to apply for a hardship exception, the application must be submitted by July ...

Medicare EPs Must Attest by March 31, at 11:59pm ET to Receive 2013 Incentive

Reminder: Medicare Eligible Professionals (EPs) Must Attest by March 31, 2014, at 11:59 pm ET to Receive 2013 Incentive! From the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Due to the large volume of providers attesting, please submit your data as soon as possible and during non-peak hours to avoid system delays. If you are an eligible professional, the last day you can register and attest to demonstrating meaningful use for the 2013 Medicare EHR Incentive Program is March 31, 2014. You must successfully attest by 11:59pm Eastern Daylight Time on March ...

CMS Extends Deadlines for Attesting for Meaningful Use in EHR Incentive Program

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has extended the 2013 meaningful use attestation deadline for the Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program from February 28 to March 31. However, the criteria still must have been met by Dec. 31, 2013, the end of the reporting period, to qualify for the incentive payments. The deadline extension applies only to the Medicare incentive program, and does not apply to the state Medicaid incentive programs or the Medicare Physician Quality Reporting System. The deadline was extended because the attestation system ...

CMS Delays Stage 3 Reporting Requirements for Meaningful Use Until 2017

From CMA's December 16, 2013, CMA Alert Late last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced proposed updates to the electronic health records (EHR) incentive program timeline that extends stage 2 meaningful use for an additional year through 2016. That means that providers participating in the program will now not be required to start stage 3 until January 2017 at the earliest. The goal of this change is two-fold: first, to allow CMS to focus efforts on the successful implementation of the enhanced patient engagement, interoperability and health ...

Help With Getting Your EHR Incentive Payment

Knowledgeable staff will be onsite to assist primary care providers and office staff to complete the meaningful use attestation — FREE OF CHARGE. Sign up early so we can help you prepare the required materials.* WHEN: Tuesday, September 17, 2013, 6:00am – 9:00pm • BY APPOINTMENT ONLY WHERE: San Diego County Medical Society, 5575 Ruffin Road, Suite 250, San Diego CA 92123 *REQUIREMENTS: Family Practice, General Medicine, Internal Medicine, OB/GYN, Pediatrics, and Primary Care CMS EHR Incentive Program Registration Prior to September 10, 2013 ...

Act Now to Avoid Medicare Penalties in 2015

By the California Medical Association (CMA) Over the past six years, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has launched a number of initiatives that offer physicians the opportunity to increase their net revenue by participating in quality reporting programs. Until now, these programs have been voluntary, and physicians have received bonuses for participating. That’s about to change. Failure to participate now means physicians could face significant penalties. The American Academy of Family Physicians estimates that participating in these initiatives in 2013, rather than waiting until 2014, could save a ...