CMS Utilized Slack Workspace for Industry Engagement
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services managed a private messaging platform to coordinate with tech firms.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Healthcare
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In August 2025, CMS established a private Slack workspace to facilitate communication with technology companies. The platform currently includes approximately 1,700 members from AI firms, startups, and investment groups.
Why it matters
The initiative represents an effort by CMS to expand the use of digital health tools and improve medical record access through its Health Technology Ecosystem. Federal officials have used these channels to discuss health application promotion with industry leaders.
The agency manages a network of 1,700 members within its private Slack workspace, while the public-facing Medicare App Library currently features approximately two dozen applications.
The players
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
This federal agency oversees the Medicare program and works to improve healthcare delivery and access across the United States.
KFF
The organization is a nonprofit policy analysis and polling firm that investigates health system trends and government operations.
The details
Federal officials have held private listening sessions with representatives from major technology corporations and at least 35 industry organizations. Technology vendors have advocated for broader access to patient medical records via the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement.
Timeline
CMS established the Slack workspace in August 2025.
Federal officials held a listening session in February 2026.
KFF published an investigation into these communications on October 9, 2026.
Market Landscape
CMS is shifting its engagement strategy to align with modern digital health requirements, moving beyond traditional government communication toward direct collaboration with tech developers. This approach reflects a broader industry movement to integrate private artificial intelligence tools into public health data infrastructure.
Changes to how medical records are accessed and digital health applications are promoted may eventually influence which tools patients use to manage their health information. Users of Medicare services should monitor the Medicare App Library for future updates to the supported platforms.
The takeaway
Increased cooperation between federal health agencies and technology companies highlights the rising reliance on AI and private software in public health programs. Patients should remain informed about which digital platforms are officially recognized for their medical record access.
Further reading
For broader context on federal policy, visit the Healthcare section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Becker's Hospital Review | Healthcare News & Analysis.
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Should federal health agencies maintain private communication channels with private technology companies?
