CMS pilot gives clinicians direct access to claims data

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently unveiled a new pilot program that will give clinicians direct access to Medicare beneficiaries' claims data. CMS Administrator Seema Verma says the "Data at the Point of Care" pilot is designed to improve care, sharpen diagnoses, and reduce redundant services by knocking down silos that prevent patients and their providers from accessing their complete health history in one record.

"Technology, coupled with open data sharing, is how we will improve value, control costs and keep patients our healthcare system into the 21st century," Verma said in prepared remarks.

Clinicians in the Data at the Point of Care pilot program can request a Medicare beneficiary's claims data from CMS to get a full history of care, including from other healthcare providers.

Clinicians who want to participate in the DPC pilot program can sign up by visiting: https://dpc.cms.gov. Beneficiaries who wish to opt out of data sharing can do so by calling 1-800-Medicare.

Source: HealthLeaders