Yesterday, CMS released answers to questions posed by the CME Coalition regarding the implementation of the Physician Payments Sunshine Act. In responding, CMS provided guidance around issues related to reporting exemptions for accredited CME.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Andrew Rosenberg, (202) 247-6301
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Andrew Rosenberg, (202) 247-6301
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the CME Coalition applauded the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) for providing much needed answers to some important questions surrounding implementation of the Physician Payments Sunshine Act as it relates to the treatment of certain payments related to accredited continuing medical education. Broadly speaking, the guidance provided by CMS will allow physicians to participate in accredited CME programs as both attendees and presenters without concern for being reported in the nascent CMS Physician Payments Sunshine Act's "Open Payments" database as recipients of industry dollars.
Pharmaceutical, medical device makers and GPOs will have to begin to collect data pursuant to the Act on August 1, 2013.
In response to questions provided by the CME Coalition, CMS confirmed that certain payments made in the context of accredited CME programming would be considered "Sunshine-exempt" and excluded from mandatory reporting. These "Sunshine-exempt" payment categories include the following:
Andrew Rosenberg, Senior Advisor to the CME Coalition stated, “We appreciate CMS for listening to us when we explained the importance of providing reporting exemptions for accredited continuing medical educational programming as a means of encouraging physician participation in these important activities." Rosenberg continued, "Only by encouraging physician participation in, and stakeholder support for, scientifically-valid CME that is free from inappropriate commercial bias, can we ever bring the full promise of healthcare innovation to our country's patients."
The CME Coalition represents a collection of continuing medical education provider companies, in addition to other supporters of CME and the vital role it plays in the US health care system. Its member organizations provide, manage and support the development of healthcare continuing education programs that impact more than 500,000 physicians, nurses and pharmacists annually.
Graduation from medical school and completion of residency training are the first steps in a career-long educational process for physicians. To take advantage of the growing array of diagnostic and treatment options, physicians must continually update their technical knowledge and practice skills. CME is a mainstay for such learning.
Contact:
Andrew Rosenberg
(202) 247-6301
arosenberg@thornrun.com
Pharmaceutical, medical device makers and GPOs will have to begin to collect data pursuant to the Act on August 1, 2013.
In response to questions provided by the CME Coalition, CMS confirmed that certain payments made in the context of accredited CME programming would be considered "Sunshine-exempt" and excluded from mandatory reporting. These "Sunshine-exempt" payment categories include the following:
- Speaker travel, meals and lodging
- Meals provided to physician attendees if they are served in a buffet of box lunch format
- Most educational materials
Andrew Rosenberg, Senior Advisor to the CME Coalition stated, “We appreciate CMS for listening to us when we explained the importance of providing reporting exemptions for accredited continuing medical educational programming as a means of encouraging physician participation in these important activities." Rosenberg continued, "Only by encouraging physician participation in, and stakeholder support for, scientifically-valid CME that is free from inappropriate commercial bias, can we ever bring the full promise of healthcare innovation to our country's patients."
The CME Coalition represents a collection of continuing medical education provider companies, in addition to other supporters of CME and the vital role it plays in the US health care system. Its member organizations provide, manage and support the development of healthcare continuing education programs that impact more than 500,000 physicians, nurses and pharmacists annually.
Graduation from medical school and completion of residency training are the first steps in a career-long educational process for physicians. To take advantage of the growing array of diagnostic and treatment options, physicians must continually update their technical knowledge and practice skills. CME is a mainstay for such learning.
Contact:
Andrew Rosenberg
(202) 247-6301
arosenberg@thornrun.com
