CMS Unveils Open Payments Search Tool

A more user-friendly search tool was recently added to the CMS Open Payments website.

Previously, the site required users to search through a list of thousands of names in alphabetical order and manually add up information about payments received by a particular doctor.

Designed to improve search capabilities, this new tool allows users to enter the name of a physician, teaching hospital and companies making payments and see all three payment types (general payments, research payments and ownership in companies) displayed together. Searches can be performed by name, city, state and/or specialty. Upon performing a search, the returned results will include all payments types on one screen.

Upcoming versions of the search tool will include summary data, as well as an option to display the data via charts or graphs.

The tool is a beta release, and CMS is asking for feedback via email to suggest site improvements.