Eligible hospitals and professionals now have until March 13 to attest to the Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program. The original deadline was Feb. 28.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) extended the deadline, giving participants additional time to attest to the meaningful use of EHR technology in 2016. Eligible hospitals may select a reporting period for any continuous 90 days from Jan. 1, 2016, through Dec. 31, 2016. CMS previously extended the deadline for the reporting of electronic clinical quality measures only — this new announcement applies to attestation to the overall requirements of the Medicare EHR Incentive Program.
Failure to meet meaningful use requirements or obtain a hardship exception in the 2016 reporting year will result in a payment adjustment in 2018. CMS will provide more information on the process and deadline for applying for a hardship exception later this year.
Contact Director of Policy Erin O’Malley at eomalley@essentialhospitals.org or 202.585.0127 with questions.