Medicaid EHR Incentive Program
Program Discussion
- Discussion is also available in Portable Document Format (PDF)
January 2017
Contents
2015 and 2016 Modified Stage 2
Attesting on Behalf of a Provider
Payment Assignment and Disbursement
Purpose
This document summarizes the topics covered during the webinar hosted by the NYS Department of Health (DOH) on January 18, 2017 about the NY Medicaid EHR Incentive Program.
Attestation Portal
Due to issues and delays in implementing a new attestation portal for 2015 Modified Stage 2 and the remainder of the program, the existing portal –– Medicaid EHR Incentive Program Support Service (MEIPASS)–– has been reinstated.
MEIPASS will continue to be used for the following attestations:
- 2016 Adopt, Implement, or Upgrade
- 2015 Modified Stage 2
- 2016 Modified Stage 2
Credentials to access MEIPASS remain the same:
2016 Adopt, Implement, or Upgrade
Effective January 23, 2017, providers may access MEIPASS to attest adopt, implement, or upgrade (AIU) for payment year 2016. An attestation guide will be available on the program website.
The process for attesting AIU remains the same:
- Attest in MEIPASS.
- Mail the completed attestation to:NY Medicaid EHR Incentive Program
PO Box 809
Rensselaer, NY 12144–0809
The attestation deadline for 2016 AIU has been extended beyond March 31, 2017. Announcements will be made when the final deadline has been determined. Providers unable to attest by the final deadline due to extenuating circumstances may submit the attestation deadline extension form.
2015 and 2016 Modified Stage 2
Announcements will be made on the program website and LISTSERV when NY Medicaid is ready to accept 2015 and 2016 Modified Stage 2 attestations. Training sessions and reference guides will be available soon, and another webinar will be hosted about the process for attesting 2015 and 2016 Modified Stage 2.
Attesting on Behalf of a Provider
A provider may authorize a representative to act as his/her agent for the attestation. At the minimum, a representative attesting on behalf of a provider must have a web user account in the Identity and Access Management System that is associated with the provider for whom he/she is attesting. The associated web user account must be on file prior to the attestation. Both the provider and authorized representative could be held personally responsible for all information in the attestation.
This policy is reiterated on the attestation form and in FAQ EPH34.
Payment Assignment and Disbursement
Eligible Professionals (EPs) may reassign their incentive payments to an employer or entity with which they have a contractual arrangement. In order to receive payment for participating in the NY Medicaid EHR Incentive Program, the provider (and designated payee) must have active fee–for–service enrollment. Incentive payments are released using the existing channels and processes for paying Medicaid fee–for–service providers.
Medicare Payment Adjustments
On July 1, 2016, DOH requested a hardship exception on behalf of all EPs registered for the NY Medicaid EHR Incentive Program in order for these providers to avoid 2017 Medicare payment adjustments. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) granted this hardship exception and emailed approval letters to providers. Providers may contact hit@health.ny.gov if they are uncertain if they were included in DOH's request for this hardship exception.
The NY Medicaid EHR Incentive Program is separate from the Merit–based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) which consolidates the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS), the Physician Value–based Payment Modifier (VM), and the Medicare EHR Incentive Program. Therefore, Medicare providers must comply with MIPS in order to avoid negative Medicare payment adjustments effective in 2019. Information about MIPS is available at https://qpp.cms.gov/.
Program Website
The program website has moved to https://health.ny.gov/ehr. It includes guidance about the public health reporting objective and post–payment audit.
A new LISTSERV is also available. Subscribers to the previous distribution list have been migrated to the new one.
Questions?
Contact the NY Medicaid EHR Incentive Program Support Line.
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm Eastern Standard Time
Phone: 1–877–646–5410
- Option 1 – ETIN certification, ePACES, and MEIPASS credentials
- Option 2 – Program Policies, Patient Volume, Meaningful Use, and Attestation Review
- Option 3 – Public Health Reporting Guidance, Registration, and Status
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