CMS: Why the check might not be in the mail
With more facilities attesting to meaningful use criteria, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has added a reimbursement question and answer to frequently asked questions (FAQ) list. The FAQ clarifies the time table for incentive payments.
Question: I am an eligible professional (EP) who has successfully attested for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program. Why haven't I received my incentive payment yet?
CMS: Incentive payments for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program will be made approximately four to eight weeks after an EP successfully attests that he or she has demonstrated meaningful use of certified EHR technology. However, EPs will not receive incentive payments within that time frame if they have not yet met the threshold for allowed charges for covered professional services furnished by the EP during the year.
The Medicare EHR incentive payments to EPs are based on 75 percent of the estimated allowed charges for covered professional services furnished by the EP during the entire payment year. Therefore, to receive the maximum incentive payment of $18,000 for the first year of participation in 2011 or 2012, the EP must accumulate $24,000 in allowed charges. If the EP has not met the $24,000 threshold at the time of attestation, CMS will hold the incentive payment until the EP meets the threshold in order to maximize the amount of the EHR incentive payment the EP receives.
If the EP still has not met the $24,000 threshold by the end of calendar year, CMS expects to issue an incentive payment for the EP in March 2012 (allowing 60 days after the end of the 2011 calendar year for all pending claims to be processed).
Click here to access the complete FAQ list.
July 3 is the last day for eligible hospitals to begin their 90-day reporting period to demonstrate meaningful use for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program.
Question: I am an eligible professional (EP) who has successfully attested for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program. Why haven't I received my incentive payment yet?
CMS: Incentive payments for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program will be made approximately four to eight weeks after an EP successfully attests that he or she has demonstrated meaningful use of certified EHR technology. However, EPs will not receive incentive payments within that time frame if they have not yet met the threshold for allowed charges for covered professional services furnished by the EP during the year.
The Medicare EHR incentive payments to EPs are based on 75 percent of the estimated allowed charges for covered professional services furnished by the EP during the entire payment year. Therefore, to receive the maximum incentive payment of $18,000 for the first year of participation in 2011 or 2012, the EP must accumulate $24,000 in allowed charges. If the EP has not met the $24,000 threshold at the time of attestation, CMS will hold the incentive payment until the EP meets the threshold in order to maximize the amount of the EHR incentive payment the EP receives.
If the EP still has not met the $24,000 threshold by the end of calendar year, CMS expects to issue an incentive payment for the EP in March 2012 (allowing 60 days after the end of the 2011 calendar year for all pending claims to be processed).
Click here to access the complete FAQ list.
July 3 is the last day for eligible hospitals to begin their 90-day reporting period to demonstrate meaningful use for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program.