From the American Academy of Ophthalmology

Physicians have another chance to apply for a hardship exception to avoid the 1 percent 2015 penalty for not demonstrating “meaningful use” of an electronic health record system.

Responding to pressure from the Academy, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced today that it is reopening the hardship exception application period. Providers now have until Nov. 30 to apply for a hardship exception. CMS had previously closed exception applications July 1.

In September, CMS issued a final rule giving health care providers more ways to meet the 2014 requirements for meaningful use. The rule let providers in some circumstances continue to use 2011-certified EHR systems for 2014 instead of 2014-certified systems. However, first-time meaningful users still had to attest by Oct. 1. Many Academy members could not meet this deadline because CMS’ own system was not ready to accept data from 2011-certified EHR systems. Due to CMS’ system glitch, these providers faced a 1 percent 2015 penalty on Medicare covered services, not including Part B drugs.

Both the Academy and members of Congress urged CMS not to penalize providers who couldn’t meet the Oct. 1 deadline due to reasons outside their control. CMS said today that physicians could apply for the hardship exception, if:

1. They were unable to attest by Oct. 1 and
2. They had problems fully implementing or upgrading to a 2014-certified EHR system.

The Academy encourages all eligible providers to apply for a hardship exemption by Nov. 30 to avoid the 1 percent 2015 penalty. Applying for a hardship exception does not prevent providers from receiving a meaningful use bonus payment. Providers who were denied a hardship exemption during the previous application period may reapply in this cycle. Learn more on the CMS website.

If you have any questions, contact the Academy’s Governmental Affairs office at 202.737.6662.