Important Deadline for Medicare EHR Incentive Program October 1st

Date: September 21st, 2016Category: CORHIO e-NewsletterTopics: Meaningful Use

 

If you are new to the Medicare incentive program, read on for important information that will help you avoid payment adjustments.

For the 2016 Medicare EHR Incentive Payment Program reporting period, all returning participants must attest by February 28, 2017. However, to avoid payment adjustments on Medicare claims, eligible professionals (EPs) new to the program should attest by October 1, 2016. The payment reduction starts at 1% and increases each year the EP does not demonstrate Meaningful Use, to a maximum of 5%.

From the CMS information sheet: “New participants who successfully demonstrates meaningful use for this period and satisfy all other program requirements will avoid the payment adjustment in CY 2017 if the EP successfully attests by October 1, 2016, and will avoid the payment adjustment in CY 2018 if the EP successfully attests by February 28, 2017.”

Unfortunately, the deadline to submit an EHR Incentive Program Hardship Exception application to avoid the 2017 Medicare EHR payment adjustment has passed.

Reporting Period Details

According to CMS, for new participants in 2016, the EHR reporting period for a payment adjustment year for EPs is any continuous 90-day period in 2016. For returning participants, the reporting period is the full 2016.

For More Information

Guidance on Modified Stage 2: https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/EHRIncentivePrograms/Downloads/2015_EHR2015_2017.pdf

Program Basics: https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/EHRIncentivePrograms/Basics.html

For Assistance

CORHIO’s Transformation Support Services team can help you attest by October 1st, please Contact Us today or call 720-285-3200.