Whether or not the MU program will end in future years (to be replaced by MIPS) it is important to understand that MU is still in place from 2015. If you see Medicare patients and did not participate in MU, you will be subject to a 2% cut for your 2017 payments UNLESS you apply for a hardship exemption.
The "PAMPA" bill which passed in December is supposed to provide a hardship exemption to anyone who applies ("A letter from Rep. Pete Sessions...sheds some light. After a private meeting earlier this month with CMS officials, Sessions was assured CMS would grant exemptions under a streamlined process for all those who sought them"
as referenced here.Instead of simply exempting everyone, you must apply for the exemption to avoid the cut.
The final CMS ruling is apparently out, and you have until 3/15/16 to submit your form:
https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and...centivePrograms/paymentadj_hardship.htmlThe application form, which is available from that website is very brief (mostly simple demographic information). It really only asks one "difficult" question, and that is "why are you seeking the exemption". It gives several choices to choose from, and based on Sessions' message, it should not matter which one you pick. Still, it would be nice to pick one that is accurate. Unfortunately, there is no option for "other reasons" such as the most important one: "CMS didn't release the final rules until there were fewer than 90 days left in the year so even IF I wanted to do MU, I wouldn't know how to comply until it was too late".
My suggestion is that people complete the form, choosing a reason for the hardship, if one is appropriate to your situation. My plan is to complete the brief form, leaving the reason for the hardship blank. If CMS is true to their word, then the exemption is available to ALL those who request it and should be granted.
Deadline for submission is 3/15/2016.
