As with all federal and healthcare programs, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) operate under complex regulations. Currently, these regulations can be accessed digitally but aren't housed in one central location. This makes it challenging for those who need to research and understand the various laws and addenda, supplemental laws, potential changes to the laws, and policy definitions.
CMS has selected Fearless to develop a user-friendly system to aggregate all information regarding policy and laws that regulate CMS and its programs. The digital source of regulations is referred to by CMS as “eRegs”.
Taking a human-centered design approach.
According to Fearless Project Manager Beth Wingerd, “Using human-centered design practices, we're working across CMS, pulling in different user groups to understand their needs so we can develop a solution that works for all users.”
Primary users include:
- State agencies,
- Those implementing CMS programs,
- CMS policy leaders,
- Members of Congress.
Fearless is focused on ensuring all users who need to access and understand CMS regulations can find what they need in a timely manner.
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the demand for better access because of the extensive changes to regulations and requirements for healthcare providers and hospitals including daily reporting.
Besides a one-stop shop to access information, the team is also developing a dictionary or glossary of terms so that those researching the regulations understand all the language within the complex laws.
Two-part contract.
The CMS contract has two parts.
The first is the development of a centralized eRegs portal. This portal makes the following available on one site:
- All of the CMS laws and addenda,
- Supplemental laws,
- Potential changes to the laws,
- CMS policy definitions.
This is a pilot to develop a prototype product that could be used to organize other types of data and content to improve usability.
The second part of the contract is the creation of a content support center (CSC). Fearless will work with CMS to develop a content strategy for this project.
“We're helping CMS understand how to best structure the information they want available – website architecture, page layouts, and page navigations–to best organize for the consumer,” Wingerd said.
This project will include the development of a website, content creation, and a strategy for ensuring consistency across all available content.
The one-year, two-part contract is expected to be completed later this year.
This announcement was published independently of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This release does not constitute or imply an endorsement by CMS or the United States Government of the product, process, or service, or its producer or provider. The views and opinions expressed in any referenced document do not necessarily state or reflect those of CMS or the United States Government.