The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) publically launched Open Payments, also known as the Physician Payments Sunshine Act. This new program publishes information on payments or transfers of value to physicians from drug and device manufacturers, and group purchasing organizations.
In August, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) signed onto a letter with the American Medical Association (AMA) and others to CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner expressing serious concerns about the implementation of the Open Payments System without adequate time for physicians to prepare.