CMS extends deadline to submit eCQM, PIP attestation data

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has extended to March 14 the deadline for hospitals participating in the Inpatient Quality Reporting and/or Promoting Interoperability Programs to submit data for at least four electronic clinical quality measures from any quarter of calendar year 2018 to receive a full payment update in fiscal year 2020. The data had been due today. CMS also extended the attestation deadline for the Promoting Interoperability Program from Feb. 28 to March 14. “CMS understands that some hospitals and their health information technology vendors need additional time to submit their eCQM data and attest for Medicare Promoting Interoperability requirements,” the agency said. “This extension is intended to reduce reporting burden and is part of CMS’ continued commitment to ensuring successful data submissions to the Hospital IQR and Medicare Promoting Interoperability Programs.” Hospitals unable to report eCQM data to the IQR program by March 14 may request an extraordinary circumstances exception through April 1. Hardship exceptions for the Promoting Interoperability Program have a different request process and timeline.