Half of Docs May Not Attest to Stage 2 MU in 2015

Fifty-five percent of physicians do not plan to attest to Stage 2 Meaningful Use in 2015, according to a survey of almost 2,000 members of SERMO, a social network for physicians.


Fifty-five percent of physicians do not plan to attest to Stage 2 Meaningful Use in 2015, according to a survey of almost 2,000 members of SERMO, a social network for physicians.

Doctors cited “patient engagement, lack of workflow usability and excessive time consumption” as reasons for not attesting to Stage 2 MU this year. The survey results reflect the struggles that physicians have been experiencing in meeting Stage 2 requirements.

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, only 4 percent (16,455) of eligible professionals have attested to Stage 2 MU as of Dec. 1. Though EPs have until the end of February to attest for calendar year 2014, attestation numbers have been anemic and little progress is expected by the end of next month.

Adding to the bad news for physicians, CMS announced last month that more than 50 percent of EPs—more than 257,000—will face financial penalties under the MU program in 2015. Specifically, more than a quarter of a million EPs will be subject to Medicare payment reductions beginning this year for failing to demonstrate MU in previous years.

The American Medical Association is urging CMS to take immediate action to “fix” the MU program by adding more flexibility and shortening the reporting period to help physicians avoid penalties.    

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