OpenEMR Users Can't Attest To MU1 or MU2!

system · June 15, 2015, 11:34am

fsgl wrote on Monday, June 15, 2015:

If the Project fails to achieve full certification for 2014 CEHRT by Sept. 30, 2015; no user will be able to attest to MU1 or MU2 for 2015.

Except for Medicaid attesters, all U.S. practices, using OpenEMR; will face a penalty reduction in Medicare reimbursement in 2016, unless the Unforseen Circumstances - vendor delay exception has been obtained.

OpenEMR users cannot wait until Sept. 30th before acting because the exception application deadline is July 1, 2015. There is no extension of the deadline on the horizon.

If full certification is achieved on time, the exception will have been a very cheap insurance policy. If not & you have no exception, you will face the penalty.

There remains only a window of 15 days for action. You must apply now!

system · June 15, 2015, 9:33pm

tmccormi wrote on Monday, June 15, 2015:

That is an excellent reminder and I endorse it fully.
–Tony

system · June 15, 2015, 9:39pm

teryhill wrote on Monday, June 15, 2015:

You know the Titanic had a band.

system · June 16, 2015, 12:34am

tmccormi wrote on Tuesday, June 16, 2015:

Bands are good, insurance is better. I fully, optimistically expect the Project to make it, but I am not willing to risk my customers well being on things that are greatly outside of my control.

–Tony

system · June 22, 2015, 9:56am

fsgl wrote on Monday, June 22, 2015:

8 days left. Last call.

system · June 30, 2015, 2:08am

twosmartbits wrote on Tuesday, June 30, 2015:

Thank you for this reminder!

system · June 30, 2015, 2:29am

mdsupport wrote on Tuesday, June 30, 2015:

Hardship Exception Tool says that if you attested in 2013, no penalties in 2015. If you attested in 2014, no penalties in 2016.

Does it matter if MU1 attestation for 2014?
Is it better to file regardless of what CMS says?

system · June 30, 2015, 10:17am

fsgl wrote on Tuesday, June 30, 2015:

Attestation must be done every year, regardless of stage, including for 2015.

OpenEMR users have zero means of attesting for this year at this point in time.

If exception is not sent out & postmarked by midnight today; users will be penalized, if OpenEMR does not achieve 2014 CEHRT by Sept. 30, 2015.

system · July 2, 2015, 1:00am

fritomd wrote on Thursday, July 02, 2015:

I hope I don’t look hopeless by this post, but, the 2016 hardship exception due tonight is for non-use of CEHRT in 2014. - correct?

The hardship exception for non-use of CEHRT in 2015 will be due on 7/1/2016- correct?

system · July 2, 2015, 2:14am

fsgl wrote on Thursday, July 02, 2015:

It appears that CMS has pulled the application form from their website (“Error: Page Not Found”).

It’s too late to do anything about it now. Sorry.

Hopefully CMS will offer an extension later in the year. If that is the case, I’ll post it.

system · July 2, 2015, 2:10pm

fritomd wrote on Thursday, July 02, 2015:

No problems. I got my application in on time for 2014 CEHRT (penalty assessed in 2016). I think the 2015 CERHT exception (for penalties assessed in 2017) will be due July 1, 2016 - my understanding.

thanks

system · July 2, 2015, 2:22pm

fsgl wrote on Thursday, July 02, 2015:

Correct.

Initially I had a mental video of you speeding down to the post office, with the application in hand & waiting anxiously on line to have the silly thing postmarked in time.

I don’t know how 1040 filers can withstand the stress of waiting in line at the post office counter at 11:50 p.m., April 15th.

system · July 21, 2015, 2:04am

cverk wrote on Tuesday, July 21, 2015:

As an update, I filed this and was granted the hardship exception. Now I can focus more on all this ICD-10 mess for October.

system · July 21, 2015, 10:39am

fsgl wrote on Tuesday, July 21, 2015:

To put this in context, will post link to AMA’s “Break the Red Tape” webcast when it becomes available.

To ease the ICD-10 transition, this converter should help.

system · October 1, 2015, 9:06pm

fsgl wrote on Thursday, October 01, 2015:

For users who have not applied for the hardship exception, there has been no announcement for an extension as in 2014. If it becomes available, there will be a posting.

system · December 23, 2015, 6:06pm

fsgl wrote on Wednesday, December 23, 2015:

From CMS website:

The deadline for Eligible Professionals to submit hardship applications for the 2017 payment adjustment, based on the 2015 EHR reporting period, will be July 1st, 2016.

Because 2016 attestation with the 2014 Edition is not possible for repeat participants, OE users will be required to apply for another exception.

Will post the application form when it becomes available. Will also post a third reminder one month ahead of the deadline.