CMS has created a podcast called “CMS: Beyond the Policy” to inform industry stakeholders about changes and updates to its policies and programs, the agency announced.
CMS is not the only federal agency to venture into podcasting as a means to educate. Several other agencies and departments, such as the Environmental Protection Agency, The Department of Energy, NASA, and even GAO have podcasts available about various topics, according to NPR.
“The new Beyond the Policy podcast demonstrates our commitment to transparency and outreach by presenting CMS-related policies, updates and innovations on as many platforms as possible,” CMS Administrator Seema Verma said in a statement. “This program is a direct response to stakeholders’ suggestions that a podcast would be a modern, user-friendly way to stay informed about CMS.”
CMS’ first episode of Beyond the Policy focuses on evaluation and management coding (E/M Codes). Specifically, the episode reviews the recent changes that were finalized in the 2019 Physician Fee Schedule. The finalized rule delayed changes to E/M coding that would ultimately result in a payment cut for doctors until 2021.
The podcast is available on iTunes and Google Play “in the coming days,” CMS said on Feb. 19.
The move aligns with CMS’ Patients Over Paperwork initiative, and “is one of the many steps CMS is taking to reduce the amount of burdensome regulations on physicians allowing them to focus on delivering the best quality care to their patients,” the announcement reads.
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."