AMA guide to media reporting on CMS' Medicare Part D data

The American Medical Association (AMA) is committed to transparency and supports the release of data that can help improve quality of care. The AMA believes that certain safeguards are needed to ensure that the public receives accurate information placed in proper context.

The AMA highly recommends that reporters consider the following concerns about the limitations of Medicare Part D claims data in developing potential stories or publications. Medicare claims data is complex and can be confusing, and the manner in which CMS is broadly releasing it, in different formats and at different times and without context, can lead to inaccuracies, misinterpretations and false conclusions.