Physicians are invited to participate in a teleconference hosted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to help physicians prepare for the Physician Payment Sunshine Act. The teleconference is this Wednesday, May 22, at 11 a.m. Pacific Time.

The Sunshine Act established the National Physician Payment Transparency Program (also known as "Open Payments"), which requires manufacturers of drugs, devices and biologicals covered by federal health care programs to on August 1, 2013, begin tracking and reporting certain payments and items of value—including consulting fees, travel reimbursements, research grants and other gifts—given to physicians and teaching hospitals. The program also requires manufacturers and group purchasing organizations to report certain ownership interests held by physicians and their close family members.

The majority of the information contained in the reports will be made available on a public, searchable website beginning in September 2014. Physicians have the right to review their reports and to challenge any information that is false, inaccurate or misleading. By statute, physicians are provided, at a minimum, 45 days to review the transparency reports and make corrections before they are made public.

The 1.5 hour teleconference, “National Physician Payment Transparency Program (Open Payments)—What You Need to Know,” will cover the new rule, key program dates, the physician role and resources available for physicians.

Physicians must pre-register online for the call. Registration closes at 9 a.m. on the day of the call or when available space has been filled

For more information or to register, visit www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Outreach/NPC/National-Provider-Calls-and-Events.html. The conference call will be recorded and archived for on-demand playback if you are unable to participate in the live event.