Facing the Regulatory “Tsunami”— 2015 Medicare Penalties Are Here
Are you one of the 257,000 physicians or 200 hospitals that now face one or more penalties because you haven’t attested to Meaningful Use Stage 2? Are you now part of the additional 28,000 doctors facing a penalty for failing to meet the e-prescribing program mandate? While the numbers were “appalling” to the American Medical Association when they were released last month, many physicians really aren’t surprised at the data. Regardless, physicians and practices which haven’t attested are feeling the pressure to make a decision, and quickly.
If you are one of the more than 50% of eligible professionals facing the regulatory “tsunami,” you have or will soon receive a letter from Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) explaining more.
4 Facts about Medicare Penalties
Here are four important facts when it comes to Medicare penalties that you as a physician or practice manager should be aware of.
- Reimbursement penalties of 1% annually began January 5, 2015 for eligible providers. After 2015, penalties will increase annually for practices and physicians who have not attested to MU2.
- Medical Practices and Physicians had to demonstrate MU for any 90 day reporting period within the 2014 calendar year to avoid payment adjustments in 2015. Any practice or physician who plans to begin participating in MU in 2015 forfeited EHR incentives and will encounter the 1% reimbursement penalty.
- Medicare Practices and Physicians have to attest annually. To avoid future payment adjustments to your reimbursements, you must demonstrate meaningful use annually.
- Future Penalties will Increase: In 2016, the penalty will increase to 2% on the Medicare physician fee schedule covered amount. In 2017, the penalty will increase to 3%.
Although the Meaningful Use program was established to increase physician use of technology in order to improve quality of care and efficiency, many physicians and medical practices, especially smaller practices are struggling with the “one-size-fits-all” requirements.
We Need More Support, a Little Time, and Advising
Physicians have three main concerns when it comes to implementing system-wide technology and purchasing EHR systems. These include questions about time frames, cost, and usability; United Physician Services can answer the following:
- How long will planning, implementing and troubleshooting our EHR system take?
- How much will the technology, training, and follow up cost?
- How will this new system impact our workflow before, during, and after implementation?
Physicians facing the penalties from these regulations not only don’t feel supported, but often don’t have the tools they need to make critical decisions. Answers physicians and practices are looking for must take into consideration usability, how your practice manages patient care, and the administrative needs you have that are unique to you.
All this being said, it is possible to make the transition to Meaningful Use more in an appropriate, realistic and less burdensome way.
Start the Conversation Now
United Physician Services can help you get started toward the steps to achieve Meaningful Use. Request a scheduled consultation with expert Rochelle Glassman today.