The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is accepting applications for a Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) Promoting Interoperability Hardship Exemption or Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Exemption for the 2020 Performance Year of MIPS until Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020, at 8 p.m. EST.

Who is Eligible for these Exemptions?
Promoting Interoperability Hardship Exemption Promoting Interoperability Hardship Exemption
  • Small practice;
  • Have decertified EHR technology;
  • Have insufficient Internet connectivity;
  • Face extreme and uncontrollable circumstances such as disaster, practice closure, severe financial distress, or vendor issues; or
  • Lack control over the availability of CEHRT.
 Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances would:

  • Cause you to be unable to collect information necessary to submit for a performance category; or
  • Cause you to be unable to submit information that would be used to score a performance category for an extended period of time.
  • Impact your normal processes, affecting your performance on cost measures and other administrative claims measures.

In order to apply, you must have a HCQIS Access Roles and Profile (HARP) account to submit the exemption application on behalf of yourself, or another MIPS eligible clinician, group, or virtual group. Notice of exemption approval or denial will be sent via email. If approved, your eligibility profile will be updated on the QPP Participation Status Tool. If you have any questions, please contact the Quality Payment Program help desk at QPP@cms.hhs.gov or 1-866-288-8292.

Learn more about the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) on the AASM website.