Eligible Professionals: EHR Reporting for 2014 Ends December 31; Prepare for Attestation
CMS reminds eligible professionals participating in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs that December 31, 2014 marks the end of the 2014 calendar year (CY) and the end of the last 2014 EHR reporting period.
Attestation Deadline
If you are an eligible professional participating in the Medicare EHR Incentive Program, you have until February 28, 2015 to attest to demonstrating meaningful use of the data collected during your EHR reporting period for the 2014 calendar year. If you are participating in the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program, please refer to your state’s deadlines for attestation information.
The CMS Attestation System is open and fully operational, and includes the 2014 Certified EHR Technology (CEHRT) Flexibility Rule options. Medicare eligible professionals can attest any time to 2014 data until 11:59 p.m. ET on February 28, 2015.
Reminder: You must attest to demonstrating meaningful use every year to receive an incentive and avoid a Medicare payment adjustment.
Payment Adjustments
Payment adjustments will be applied beginning January 1, 2015 for Medicare eligible professionals that did not successfully demonstrate meaningful use in 2013 (or 2014 for first-time participants) and did not receive a 2015 hardship exception.
Medicare eligible professionals that did not successfully demonstrate meaningful use in 2014 and do not receive a 2016 hardship exception will have payment adjustments applied beginning January 1, 2016. The application period will open in early January 2015.
If you are eligible to participate in both the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs, you MUST demonstrate meaningful use to avoid the payment adjustments. You may demonstrate meaningful use under either Medicare or Medicaid.
If you are only eligible to participate in the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program, you are not subject to these payment adjustments.
Attestation Resources
- Stage 1 Eligible Professionals Meaningful Use Table of Contents (2014 definition)
- Stage 2 Eligible Professionals Meaningful Use Table of Contents
- 2014 Stage 1 Attestation User Guide for Eligible Professionals
- 2013 Stage 1 Attestation User Guide for Eligible Professionals
- Stage 2 Attestation User Guide for Eligible Professionals
- CEHRT Flexibility Attestation Guide
Note: January 1, 2015 marks the start of Stage 2 for eligible professionals who have already completed at least two years of Stage 1.
