AMA webinar helps doctors prepare for Sunshine Act

An AMA webinar April 24 will help physicians get ready for a forthcoming database that will report payments and other “transfers of value” physicians receive from drug and medical device manufacturers to the public.  Register today.

Under the Physician Payment Sunshine Act, manufacturers of drugs, devices and biologicals covered by federal health care programs are required to report any payments and transfers of value they make to physicians and teaching hospitals beginning Aug. 1.

In addition, any ownership or investment interests physicians or their family members have in the manufacturers or group purchasing organizations must be disclosed to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).  Most of the information will be posted in a public online database to be launched by Sept. 30, 2014.

Participants in the AMA webinar, offered at 7 p.m. Eastern time April 24, will learn which financial exchanges and ownership interests must be reported, steps they can take now to prepare for public disclosure of this information, and ways they will be able to challenge false, inaccurate or misleading reports.

Presenters also will discuss which types of information are excluded from reporting, such as certified and accredited continuing medical education activities funded by manufacturers and product samples intended for patient use.

Given the importance of this topic to all physicians, the AMA is offering this webinar free of charge to both AMA members and non-members.

Visit the AMA’s Sunshine Act Web page to learn more about the requirements of the new law, key dates and answers to frequently asked questions.