Deadline approaching to submit hardship exception to Medicare EHR incentive program

Medicare providers who were unable to successfully demonstrate meaningful use for 2013 can submit hardship exceptions to avoid the upcoming Medicare payment adjustment scheduled to begin on Jan. 1, 2015.

Clinicians can avoid the adjustment by completing a hardship exception application and providing supporting documentation that proves demonstrating meaningful use would be a significant hardship. CMS will review applications to determine whether or not a hardship exception is granted.

CMS has posted hardship exception applications on the EHR website for eligible professionals and for eligible professionals submitting multiple National Provider Identifiers.

Applications for the 2015 payment adjustments are due July 1, 2014, for eligible professionals. If approved, the exception is valid for 1 year.