EHRA Urges CMS to Extend 2026 Deadline for EHR Compliance
Healthcare IT News
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Contributed by: Kate Gamble
Summary
The HIMSS Electronic Health Record Association (EHRA) has raised concerns regarding the aggressive timeline proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for the 2026 Outpatient Prospective Payment System/Ambulatory Surgical Center rule. EHRA advocates for an extension of the compliance deadline from January 1, 2026, to January 1, 2027, to provide health IT vendors and hospitals sufficient time for software development, staff training, and accurate data reporting. This call for flexibility and alignment across multiple healthcare programs underscores the need for thoughtful implementation of EHR systems to minimize reporting burdens. Such adjustments are crucial for ensuring successful compliance without compromising the quality of patient care.