CMS requires that all Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) use either the 2014 or 2015 Edition certified electronic health record technology (CEHRT) to meet the reporting requirements of the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program and successfully demonstrate meaningful use. Downward payment adjustments must be applied to CAHs that are not meaningful users of CEHRT. However, CAHs may avoid the Medicare downward payment adjustments by completing a hardship exception application by December 2 to show that meeting the meaningful EHR user requirements would result in a significant hardship. Click here for more information.