On March 11th, CMS made the announcement that the deadline for submitting 2023 MIPS data has been extended. Below we will break down what this means and why it's happening.

The original deadline for submitting MIPS data for the year 2023 was set for April 1, 2024. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, CMS has decided to push this deadline further to April 15, 2024, at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. But why the extension?

The deadline extension was caused by a cyberattack imposed on Change Healthcare. This cyberattack impacted physicians and healthcare groups across the US, making it difficult for them to submit their claims and handle necessary adjustments on time. In light of this, CMS felt it necessary to provide extra time for healthcare providers to get their data in order and submit it without feeling rushed.

Along with extending the deadline, on March 15th, CMS reopened the Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances (EUC) application window.

The Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Application

The EUC application provides a way for healthcare providers to explain why they couldn't meet certain requirements due to circumstances that were extreme or simply uncontrollable. In this case, the only acceptable reason for submitting an EUC application is if the provider or group was negatively impacted by the Change Healthcare cyberattack.

In other words, if the cyberattack caused problems for a doctor or healthcare group, they can apply for an extension or leniency through the EUC application. This shows that CMS understands that sometimes things are out of our control, and they are willing to work with healthcare providers to ensure fairness and understanding.

**What should doctors and healthcare providers do now? **

If you are a healthcare provider or healthcare group and you were affected by the Change Healthcare cyberattack, you have until April 15th to submit your MIPS data. And if you need extra help or leniency due to the cyberattack, you can apply for it through the EUC application found here.

The recent announcement from CMS regarding the extension of the MIPS data submission deadline and the reopening of the EUC application window is good news for healthcare providers. It shows that CMS is aware of the challenges they face and is willing to support them during difficult times. So, if you are a healthcare provider impacted by the cyberattack, take advantage of these extensions and applications to ensure you are meeting requirements without unnecessary stress. To see if you or your group qualifies for the extended EUC, contact us by clicking here.