U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts are pushing for more unique device identifier integration on medical claim forms from U.S. healthcare agencies, with a focus on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

CMS was called out for expressing views on the system that are contradictory to those from the Department of Health and Human Services and the FDA, who support the inclusion of UDI in medical forms.

The senators wrote that they are also looking for a progress report from the Department of Health and Human Services on their work to add unique device identifiers for medical devices to medical claims forms.

A UDI system has been supported by congress, the senators noted, as well as integration of device information data into the FDA’s Sentinel post-market surveillance system.

The senators said that such a system would improve post-market device surveillance, patient safety and curb unnecessary spending.

“Given the importance of this issue, we hope you will ensure that CMS works collaboratively with FDA and other stakeholders to ensure that the next update of the claims form will incorporate UDIs,” the senators wrote in a letter to HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell, CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt and FDA Commissioner Robert Califf.

The 2 officials said that the inclusion of UDI in claims would also allow for faster identification and recall of poorly performing devices, as well as ensuring proper reimbursements to hospitals, device manufacturers and CMS.