Using CMS Open Payments Data to Identify a Surgeon’s Operating Tendencies

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments program provides a wealth of data on the financial relationships between healthcare providers and medical device companies. This data can be a valuable resource for companies looking to identify surgeons' operating tendencies and better target their sales efforts.

One way companies can use CMS Open Payments data to identify surgeons' operating tendencies is by analyzing the types of procedures that individual surgeons perform. By understanding which procedures a surgeon specializes in, companies can develop sales strategies that specifically target those procedures and the corresponding medical devices. For example, if a surgeon performs a high volume of knee replacements, a company that specializes in knee replacement devices would be wise to focus their sales efforts on that surgeon.

Another way companies can use CMS Open Payments data to identify surgeons' operating tendencies is by analyzing the types of devices that individual surgeons use. By understanding which products a surgeon prefers to use, companies can develop sales strategies that specifically target those products. For example, if a surgeon consistently uses a specific brand of hip replacement device, a company that specializes in that brand would be wise to focus their sales efforts on that surgeon.

In addition to analyzing the types of procedures and products that individual surgeons use, companies can also use CMS Open Payments data to identify patterns in financial relationships between surgeons and medical device companies. By understanding which companies a surgeon receives funding from, or which companies they have consulting agreements with, companies can gain valuable insights into the surgeons' preferences and biases.

However, it is important to note that financial relationship data doesn’t necessarily indicate that a surgeon is biased in favor of specific products or companies. It could also reflect that the surgeon is contributing to the research, development and education of those products or companies, but it is important to consider these data in context.

Overall, CMS Open Payments data can be a valuable tool for companies looking to identify surgeons' operating tendencies and better target their sales efforts. By analyzing the types of procedures, products, and financial relationships that individual surgeons have, companies can gain valuable insights into the surgeons' preferences and biases, and develop sales strategies that specifically target those preferences.

Josh Sandberg

Co Founder / CEO