The Patient Access and Medicare Protection Act was signed into law on 12/28/2015. One of its key provisions is to make available a blanket hardship exemption from Medicare payment adjustments related to failing to attest to Meaningful Use for the 2015 reporting year. The hardship exemption IS FOR 2017 ONLY. Eligible professionals (EP’s) and Eligible hospitals (“EH’s) may still face a 2016 payment adjustment related to failing to attest for the 2014 reporting year.

CMS has not yet posted the instructions for applying for the exemption. While it is a “blanket” one (meaning you don’t need to justify why you are applying) YOU MUST APPLY. EPs will need to apply for the exemption by March 15, 2016; EHs have until April 1, 2016

This only applies for those not able to attest to MU for PY2015 due to the delayed release of the MS2 Final Rule will not receive penalties in 2017; if you plan on attesting the exemption is not needed.

Contact CRHC with any questions or if you would like assistance filling out the application.

Call 303.832.7493 or email info@coruralhealth.org