Advancing Care Information Hardship Exception Application Now Available

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently opened hardship exception applications for the Quality Payment Program for the 2017 reporting period. Eligible clinicians (ECs) who anticipate that one of the categories of exceptions may prevent them from successfully meeting the requirements of the Advancing Care Information performance category may now apply for an exception. CMS has not finalized a due date for these hardship applications but ECs are encouraged to apply soon as the final 90-day period to start collecting MIPS data is October 2, 2017.

The three exception categories that require an application are: (1) Insufficient Internet Connectivity; (2) Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances; and (3) Lack of Control over the Availability of Certified EHR Technology (CEHRT). Visit the Quality Payment Program’s Hardship Exception page for more information on each of the exceptions.

Please note, these hardship exceptions are different from the Special Status Clinicians (Hospital-based, Non-patient-facing, etc.). If an EC qualifies for an eligible Special Status, the ACI score is automatically reweighted into the Quality Component and does not require an application. ECs can check their statuses on the Quality Payment Program’s MIPS Participation Status tool.

Please visit the ASA MACRA website for more information regarding Advancing Care Information and the other MIPS components. Other materials related to ACI are located on the Quality Payment Program website. For additional information, please contact the ASA Department of Quality and Regulatory Affairs (QRA) at (202) 289-2222 or via e-mail [email protected].