On Thursday, May 14 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it is accepting applications for hardship exceptions for eligible professionals (EPs) to avoid 2016 Meaningful Use (MU) penalties based on failure to meet MU in 2014.
EPs may qualify for a hardship exception based on one or more reasons beyond their control. These reasons are outlined in the application. If granted, the hardship exception would allow the EP to avoid the two percent penalty in 2016. However, the hardship exception does not allow EPs to capture any incentive dollars missed by not meeting the MU requirements.
To learn more about or apply for the 2016 hardship exception, providers should consult the CMS EHR Incentive Programs website and download the application instructions and applications for individual or multiple EP practices.