In a letter dated March 21, almost 90 medical societies and state associations asked CMS Administrator Seema Verma to address challenges with Meaningful Use requirements.
The letter — signed by the American Medical Association, alongside 86 other medical organizations — recommended CMS establish a new hardship exemption for the 2016 MU performance year in the form of an "Administrative Burden" category.
"Eligible providers should not be penalized for focusing on providing quality patient care rather than the arbitrary 'check the box' requirements of MU," the medical groups wrote in the letter.
The organizations added establishing an administrative burden exemption is one way to address clinical documentation challenges. Under the 21st Century Cures Act, CMS was directed to develop strategies to relieve EHR burden.
"We believe that the policies outlined above are consistent with the direction CMS is taking as we go forward with MACRA," the letter concluded. "We also believe the steps we have outlined are in keeping with President Trump's efforts to reduce regulatory burden."
Click here to view the full letter.