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# CMS Reverses Opposition to UDIs in Claims Forms
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/cms-reverses-opposition-to-udis-in-claims-forms/
- Published: 2016-05-17T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T21:03:18.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Devices, #legacy-id-D5135697

Opposition to FDA’s medical device unique device identifier (UDI) program appears to be waning at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, according to recent remarks made by CMS acting administrator **Andy Slavitt**. CMS had opposed adding the UDI to claims forms due to technological challenges associated with the change.

At a House Ways and Means health subcommittee [hearing](http://waysandmeans.house.gov/event/hearing-on-the-implementation-of-the-medicare-access-chip-reauthorization-act-of-2015-macra/?ref=fdaweb.com) 5/11, Slavitt said CMS would like to incorporate UDIs into electronic records and medical billing claims, according to lawyers from [McGuire Woods](http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=5ce2caa1-60f0-48ca-88cb-51f27dd00972&ref=fdaweb.com). Slavitt further said that CMS supports UDIs, but faces issues in funding their incorporation and educating doctors to use them. “Our history is that physicians don’t automatically put the information they need to down on a form unless it’s critical to them getting paid,” he reportedly said. But Slavitt pledged to work with Congress on UDIs and said the agency was already working with the American Medical Association on the issue.

The CMS change of heart comes after Sens. **Chuck Grassley** (R-IA) and **Elizabeth Warren** (D-MA) sent a letter ([see story](http://fdaweb.com/login.php?sa=v&aid=D5135012&searchWords=UDI&cate=S&stid=%241%24A62.JR5.%24nSuUTxZagkAs%2FC9cZ9.2o.&ref=fdaweb.com)) to HHS complaining that continued CMS opposition is contrary to statements made by HHS secretary **Sylvia Burwell** before the Senate HELP Committee and noted that the opportunity to make changes to the claims form revision due to be implemented in 2021 will soon be gone. “Given the importance of this issue, we hope you will ensure that CMS works collaboratively with FDA and other stakeholders to ensure that the next update of the claims form will incorporate UDIs,” the letter concluded.