What are the criteria for hospitals to obtain an extension for payment adjustments?

In 2014,federal regulations were passed relating to payment adjustments for Medicare and Medicaideligible hospitals that were not meaningful users of electronic health records (EHR). However, hospitals that are unable to meet this standard can apply for hardship extensions, in order to avoid being penalized for the specific time period. Let’s take a look at the criteria for hospitals to obtain an extension for payment adjustment.

The implementation of payment adjustments was designed to accelerate the integration of EHR technology by hospitals, so as to improve the quality of patient care. EHR technology is also seen as a method of minimizing the gaps between hospitals.

However, there are specific circumstances under which an extension of the deadline can be requested, so that hospitals will not be faced with a reduction in Medicare payments for that year.

Below are the criteria under which hospitals can apply for an extension for payment adjustment:

  • Infrastructure Difficulties: Hospitals that are located in an area in which there is insufficient access, or are facing challenging obstacles to acquiring the relevant broadband internet access.
  • New eligible hospitals: Hospitals that recently received CMS Certification numbers, and would therefore not have had enough time to become meaningful users.
  • Uncontrollable Circumstances: Hospitals that are faced with circumstances over which they had no control, such as a natural disaster.
  • EHR Vendor Issues: This could relate to switching vendors, resulting in a vendor verification delay.

Onyx Healthcare USA, Inc, located in Orange, CA, provides EHR technology solutions for hospitals and medical facilities. All our computing platforms meet FDA requirements. Call us today at (714) 792-0774, to find out more about the products we have available that can assist your hospital in becoming a meaningful user of EHR.

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