The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently debuted a podcast called “CMS: Beyond the Policy,” which helps practitioners understand changes in Medicare documentation 
and payment.

The new podcast “demonstrates our commitment to transparency and outreach by presenting CMS-related policies, updates and innovations in as many platforms as possible,” said CMS Administrator Seema Verma. “This program is a direct response to stakeholders’ suggestions that a podcast would be a modern, user-friendly way to stay informed about CMS.”

The podcast’s inaugural episode focuses on Evaluation and Management (E/M) Codes. Last November, CMS finalized changes in the Calendar Year 2019 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) as part of efforts to help create a more accessible, affordable and innovative health care system that delivers quality for patients and empowers them to make the best decisions about their health care. The Calendar Year 2019 PFS included significant changes to how doctors and other clinicians document office and outpatient visits billed to Medicare. These changes are part of CMS’ “Patients Over Paperwork” initiative to reduce the number of burdensome regulations on physicians and allow them to focus on caring for patients.

The first episode of “CMS: Beyond the Policy” will be available for download on iTunes and Google Play in the coming days. It is available online.