CMS renews WebMD outreach contract to provide ACA info
Virgil Dickson
The CMS has extended its outreach contract with WebMD as part of its quest to keep providers and consumers informed about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
The online health advice company has already received more than $13 million since joining forces with the CMS in 2011. The new pact will extend the contract for another year and WebMD will receive up to $650,000 in additional funds.
The CMS said in the contract notice that consumers and providers have become accustomed to obtaining information about the law and the insurance marketplaces from WebMD, and "changes to the source of this information would likely confuse those that require the information to successfully navigate healthcare reform," the CMS said.
The notice added that WebMD has shown it's the best way to reach healthcare providers pursuing continuing medical education.
In March, WebMd secured an exclusive interview with President Barack Obama, which generated more than 200 original news stories that ended up collectively garnering one billion in media impressions, WebMD CEO David Schlanger said during an earnings call in April.
A WebMD spokesman expressed gratitude that CMS renewed the contract and said that the focus will continue to be to educate consumers and providers on important health insurance updates.
Over the last few weeks, the CMS also extended HealthCare.gov technology contracts with Quality Software Services Inc. and Accenture.
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