HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the move in a news release issued a day after acting CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner said that the CMS “would reexamine the time frame.” Tavenner made the comment to reporters after addressing a Washington conference of the American Medical Association, which has sought relief from the looming deadline.

“We have heard from many in the provider community who have concerns about the administrative burdens they face in the years ahead,” Sebelius said in the release. “We are committing to work through the rulemaking process, with the provider community, to reexamine the pace at which HHS and the nation implement these important improvements to our healthcare system.”