MEANINGFUL USE
INCENTIVE AND PENALTY
SCENARIOS: MEDICARE
Michael Paquin, FHIMSS
www.mdpgrp.com
C
MS recently released its
attestation data from the
meaningful use (MU) program,
generating widespread
speculation about MU dropout
rates and the future of attestation trends.
Dropout rates from Year 1 to Year 2 for
Medicare are roughly 17%, and surveys have
indicated that about 15% of providers do not
plan to attest in Stage 2. Given these
statistics, providers should consider how
skipping an attestation year could lead to
future penalties and diminished incentives.
professional (EP) will see a penalty in 2015.
And not starting at all by 2014 means an EP
will see penalties in both 2015 and 2016 (as a
result of not attesting in 2013 and 2014
respectively). This creates dozens of
incentive/penalty permutations across the
Medicare award years.
The first penalties begin in 2015, while
incentives are paid out across 5 years
beginning in 2011 and ending in 2016. For
providers who attes