Hardship exceptions that waive EHR penalties will be hard to get

Why This Topic Matters

Understanding these exception categories and deadlines can help practices assess whether they may seek relief from meaningful use-related payment cuts and plan for documentation or operational changes.

Article Sections

1. Meaningful use penalty

   Introduces the Medicare payment adjustment framework connected to meaningful use and outlines the timing of the penalties discussed in the article.

2. 5 categories of exceptions

   Summarizes the broad hardship exception categories discussed by CMS, along with the application timing and general submission context.

3. Stage 2 vendor issue will be huge

   Covers CMS comments on vendor readiness, EHR certification concerns, and the broader stage 2 transition issue raised on the call.

4. No control, but not exempt

   Discusses specialty-related exception questions, automatically exempted specialties, and concerns about future applicability over time.

5. Other exception points from the call

   Highlights additional CMS guidance themes about documenting hardship requests and considering scope-of-practice issues.