Understanding CMS Open Payments and Transparency CMS Open Payments is a national transparency program designed to provide public information about the financial relationships between healthcare providers and medical manufacturers. Under this program, companies that produce drugs, devices, and biologics must report payments or items of value given to physicians and teaching hospitals. These payments might cover things like research grants, travel expenses, or consulting fees. The information is collected by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and made available to the public annually. This allows patients to understand the financial interactions their doctors may have with industry companies, fostering a culture of transparency and trust.