While acting CMS head Andy Slavitt said this week  that the Meaningful Use program, at least as it existed, will end,  providers will still be held accountable for using technology in patient care.

The end of Meaningful Use  as we know it means no more incentives  (as opposed to penalties) from Medicare for adopting it,  although Meaningful Use-style incentives  will continue for Medicaid.

Still, an eligible  Medicare provider who fails to attest to Meaningful Use will  face a penalty.

However, Becker’s Hospital Review says that the recently passed blanket “hardship exemption permitting any Meaningful Use participant to apply for an exemption from Meaningful Use penalties in 2017 may bring the reimbursement penalties that year close to zero.”