Physicians now have until July 1 (3 more months) to apply for a hardship exemption from the electronic health record meaningful use penalties for the 2015 program year. Those who don’t apply could have their Medicare payments cut by up to 3% in 2017.

CMS has posted information regarding changes to the Medicare EHR Incentive Program hardship exception process.  The information needed to apply for an exception is being reduced as a result of the Patient Access and Medicare Protection Act enacted on December 28.  Also, CMS has decided that groups of providers can apply for an exception on a single group application.  The AMA recommends that all physicians apply.  Click here for the application and more information from CMS.