Yesterday CMS issued a "clarification" which makes it clearer that they are essentially willing to waive the penalty for everyone (as promised) and that Donna is correct (no surprise there) that 2.2.d is the appropriate selection.
Key quotes from the CMS statements
include "if a provider is unable to meet the requirements of meaningful use for an EHR reporting period in 2015 for reasons related to the timing of the publication of the final rule, a provider may apply for a hardship exception".
And "CMS does not require an EP, eligible hospital, or CAH ? or any group of providers ? to submit documentation for the hardship category selected and CMS will not be reviewing documentation supporting the application on a case-by-case basis. CMS will review the application to record the category selected and use the identifying information to approve the hardship exception for each provider listed on the application. Providers should retain documentation of their circumstances for their own records, but no such documentation is required for review by CMS. "
In my opinion, everyone who sees Medicare patients should take this simple step to avoid a 2% cut in 2017.
