AMA Encouraging Application for EHR Hardship

The AMA is encouraging ALL physicians subject to the 2015 Medicare EHR “Meaningful Use” (MU) requirements to apply for the hardship exemption. CMS has stated that it will broadly accept hardship exemptions because of the delayed publication of the program regulations. Applying for the exemption will not prevent a physician from earning an incentive. It simply protects a physician from receiving an MU penalty. “Therefore, physicians who believe that they met the MU requirements for the 2015 reporting period should still apply for the hardship protection,” advises the AMA. Note that the program operates on a two-year look-back period, meaning that physicians who are granted an exception for the 2015 program will avoid a financial penalty for 2017. Visit the CMS website for complete details and to download the application.