A look at a 1,700-member Slack run by Medicare agency CMS where Microsoft, OpenAI, and other companies help shape policy on AI apps and medical records access

Tech companies gain direct influence over healthcare AI regulations, potentially accelerating their product adoption and reimbursement. This could lead to new AI-powered health tools being readily available and potentially covered by Medicare. New AI health apps will be promoted on the Medicare App Library. A new Medicare App Library will feature AI health apps. Reimbursement for AI services like chatbot advice is now prioritized. Tech companies can access patient data for new AI health apps. Some AI health apps are now endorsed by Medicare. New AI health apps are being promoted through the Medicare App Library. New AI health apps are being promoted via the Medicare App Library. Reimbursement for AI chatbot advice and wearable device tracking is now prioritized. Tech companies can access patient data for new AI health apps.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has been using a private Slack workspace with 1,700 members to engage with tech companies, including Microsoft, OpenAI, and Google, to shape federal policy on AI health apps and medical records access. This initiative, part of the "Health Technology Ecosystem" program, allows these companies to influence regulatory approaches and gain access to sensitive patient data. A meeting with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and representatives from over 35 industry organizations, including tech giants, focused on conversational AI products for patients. The FDA regulates health apps as medical devices, but this meeting, and the Slack workspace itself, were not publicly announced or open to the public. CMS officials have also indicated that the Medicare App Library will serve as a promotional channel for these AI health apps, potentially leading to reimbursement for AI services like chatbot advice. This effort began in August 2025, with industry participants actively contributing to policy discussions, raising concerns among medical professionals about the readiness and data privacy implications of these rapidly integrated AI tools.

The CMS's use of a private Slack workspace to influence AI health app policy bypasses traditional public regulatory processes, raising questions about industry capture and transparency. By granting companies direct access to shape guidelines, the agency risks creating a regulatory environment favorable to tech interests, potentially at the expense of patient privacy and data security. This behind-the-scenes approach contrasts sharply with the public-facing initiatives like the "Health Technology Ecosystem," suggesting a deliberate strategy to fast-track industry-favored policies without broader public scrutiny or input from medical professionals who have voiced concerns about AI readiness.

The acceleration of AI adoption in healthcare, driven by this close industry-government collaboration, signifies a shift towards more integrated digital health solutions, with significant implications for patient care and data governance. The Medicare App Library's role as a "sales engine" and the promise of reimbursement for AI services indicate a concerted effort to create a profitable market for these technologies. As tech giants gain privileged access to patient data and policy-making, the healthcare sector faces a future where AI-driven diagnostics and advice may become commonplace, necessitating robust oversight to ensure these tools are safe, effective, and equitable.