CMS has announced that the 2024 Quality Payment Program (QPP) Exception Applications are available now through December 31, 2024 at 8pm ET.
There are 2 types of exception applications for users who are unable to report data for one or more Merit-Based Incentive Payment Systems (MIPS) performance categories.
MIPS Promoting Interoperability Performance Hardship Exception Application which can be filed for the following reasons:
- Insufficient internet connectivity.
- Decertified EHR technology (based on the ONC’s Health IT Certification Program)
- Extreme and uncontrollable circumstances such as a practice closure, disaster, severe financial distress, or vendor issues.
- Lack of control over the availability of certified EHR technology.
MIPS Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Exception Application – these circumstances are defined as rare events entirely outside of your control and the control of the facility in which you practice. These would lead to:
- Being unable to collect information necessary to submit for a MIPS performance category.
- Being unable to submit information that would be used to score a MIPS performance category for an extended period of time (for example – unable to collect data for the quality performance category for 3 months).
- Normal processed being impacted and affecting your performance on cost measures and other administrative claims measures.
Alternate Payment Model (APM) entities can submit applications, but they must apply for all performance categories.
If your application is approved, no data will need to be reported for the performance category or categories included in your approved application.
Please note: Data submission overrides approved reweighting on a category by category basis. Any data submitted by you or someone on your behalf submits and those performance categories will contribute to your final score.
How to Apply: to submit either application
- Sign in to the QPP Website with your Health Care Quality Information System (HCQIS) Access Roles and Profile (HARP) account.
- Choose ‘Exceptions Application’ from the left hand navigation.
- Click ‘Add New QPP Exception’ on the right side of the screen.
- Choose your exception type.
Additional Resources
- Quality Payment Program Access User Guide (ZIP, 3MB) – Refer to “Step 1: Register for a HARP Account”
- Exception Applications (webpage on the QPP website)
- 2024 MIPS Promoting Interoperability Hardship Exception Application Guide (PDF, 1MB)
- 2024 MIPS Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Exception Application Guide (PDF, 1MB)