March 20 is the last day to attest to meaningful use for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program’s 2014 reporting year. This extended deadline does not affect deadlines for the Medicaid EHR Incentive program. Attesting by the deadline will ensure you earn an incentive payment, if applicable, and avoid the Meaningful Use penalty which will be applied in 2016 (based on 2014 performance).
Understanding the criteria for participating in the various Medicare quality programs is of critical importance, as penalties will be applied to those who do meet the prescribed requirements. Visit our new members-only webpage dedicated to quality issues—“Quality Time with the NCMS” at https://www.ncmedsoc.org/quality—to learn more about the criteria, and how to avoid these penalties, which could cost you up to 11% in total of your Medicare reimbursements in future years.