American Urological Association, others protest Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services plan to sell claims data

Physician organizations nationwide, including the AUA, have united in opposition to many provisions of a plan by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to sell Medicare claims data to qualified businesses that would generate public reports rating physician performance in each episode of care.

The rule, announced in June by CMS, stems from the Affordable Care Act and is intended, CMS said, to improve care and lower costs.

"Making more Medicare data available can make it easier for employers and consumers to make smart decisions about their health care," said CMS Administrator Donald M. Berwick, MD, in announcing the proposed regulation.