Open Payments Review & Dispute COVID-19 Announcement

CMS is aware that the COVID-19 pandemic is greatly impacting the healthcare community as a whole.

CMS does not have the authority to postpone the Open Payments data publication deadline of June 30 (42 U.S.C § 1320a–7h(c)(1)(C)). Given this statutory requirement for Open Payments data publication, and resource constraints that limit CMS’s ability to deviate from the established schedule for the covered recipient pre-publication review and dispute period, the covered recipient pre-publication review and dispute period will remain April 1, 2020 – May 15, 2020.

While CMS cannot extend the pre-publication review and dispute period, we note that covered recipient review and dispute actions can be completed within the Open Payments system throughout the calendar year.

Disputes initiated by the pre-publication review and dispute deadline of May 15, 2020 will be reflected in the June 2020 data publication. Disputes initiated after the pre-publication review and dispute period will be reflected in a later data refresh. Covered recipients may review and if necessary dispute their attributed data through December 31, 2020.

For more information on the review and dispute timing and data publication refer to the Review and Dispute Timing and Data Publication Quick Reference Guide (PDF).

Covered recipient review and dispute actions are voluntary and are not required under the statute.

CMS understands the healthcare community is working tirelessly to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and appreciates the dedication of healthcare providers during this time. We remain committed to ensuring covered recipients are aware of and take advantage of their opportunity to review their data and dispute it if needed.

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Questions—Contact Live Help Desk

Need help or have more questions? Contact the Open Payments Help Desk at openpayments@cms.hhs.gov or call 1-855-326-8366 (TTY Line: 1-844-649-2766). The Help Desk is available Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (ET), excluding Federal holidays.

The Help Desk refers media inquiries to CMS’ Press Office for response.