Health reform prescribes doctors’ disclosures

Have you ever wondered if your doctor has received money or gifts from drug or medical device manufacturers? By March, 31, 2014, you’ll have the chance to find out.

Starting in August, doctors will be required to disclose information about payments or gifts they receive in connection with drugs, devices and supplies covered by Medicare, Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance. The information is being gathered as part of the federal health-care reform rules going into effect next year.

The idea is to create more transparency in health-care markets, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which is collecting the information.…