Actually, that is not what CMS says:
"EPs, Eligible Hospitals, and CAHs may be exempt from Medicare penalties if they can show that demonstrating Meaningful Use would result in a significant hardship. To be considered for an exception (to avoid a payment adjustment) health care providers must complete a Hardship Exception application and provide proof of the hardship."
On our form we simply stated that the paperwork and logistical requirements created by insurance companies and Medicaid MCO's, in an era of decreasing reimbursements, make practice difficult. "It would have created a significant hardship for us to provide the resources needed to meet MU requirements in 2016."
That information was 100% true and I had no problem stating it; I stand by it. Of course there is always the chance of an audit, but we met the stated criteria with an honest statement so I am not particularly concerned.
