Meaningful Use Updates – Financial Hardships & CMS Final Rule 2015

There have been many questions surrounding the recent changes to the Meaningful Use 2 EHR Incentive Program Rules. There’s no question that the Meaningful Use program has been a bit difficult to navigate over recent years. Initially, the program offered significant financial incentives, with easy to attain attestation marks, and required “low-tech” EHR systems to help facilitate the process of attesting.

With the introduction of Meaningful Use 2, reimbursement has decreased, and attesting categories have become more stringent (which has required the use of “higher-tech” EHR systems), likely increasing costs to maintain these upgraded technologies.

The recent changes that CMS has provisioned within the Meaningful Use program have made it simpler, and easier for clinicians to attest. Below is a link to the 2015 Tip Sheet document that CMS recently posted that outlines the FINAL Meaningful Use Program Rules – (click here)

Even with the new rule set recently provided by CMS, there has been some debate about medical practices not having enough time to properly attest during a 90-day window in 2015. The new rule set was not announced until October 16, 2015, which would extend the 90-day attestation period well into January of 2016. “CMS has stated that it will grant hardship exemptions for 2015 if eligible providers are unable to attest due to the late publishing of the rule.” To view the complete article on the CMA website (click here).

The California Medical Association will continue to track and monitor this situation.