# CMS Launches Office of Health Technology and Products to Drive Digital Transformation
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has established a new Office of Health Technology and Products (OHTP) to accelerate the agency’s digital transformation efforts and modernize the technology services it delivers to millions of Americans. Rather than diminishing the role of the agency’s chief information officer, the creation of OHTP represents a strategic expansion of how CMS approaches technology to improve public services across Medicare, Medicaid, and the health insurance marketplace.
## A Collaborative Approach to Modernization
The new office operates alongside the existing CIO functions as a complementary partner rather than a competitor. Kim Brandt, deputy administrator and chief operating officer at CMS, emphasized that both entities share a unified mission of delivering better technology services to the public.
Amy Gleason, who also serves as CMS’s chief product officer and holds a deputy administration role, now leads OHTP. Her team is responsible for managing open-source initiatives, setting standards, advancing interoperability, and driving product development. Brandt described the division of labor as one that mirrors the private sector, with different groups focusing on different stages of the technology lifecycle.
“The idea is that one team focuses on creating products that directly serve beneficiaries, states, and external partners, while the other ensures those products integrate seamlessly into the broader CMS enterprise,” Brandt explained. “They work hand in hand to make sure what gets built actually works for the people who need it most.”
## Putting Mission Outcomes First
Patrick Newbold, CMS’s chief information officer, framed the new office as a force multiplier that enables the agency to deliver technology services more quickly and effectively. He stressed that the best technology begins long before a single line of code is written.
Newbold said the focus should always start with understanding the problem that needs solving and the results that matter most to the mission. “Rather than asking whether we launched a tool, the real question is whether we reduced wait times, reduced burden, or helped a worker make a better decision,” he said.
He also noted that when tensions arise between speed and security, the role of the CIO is not to block progress but to make risks transparent and find safer paths forward.
## Embracing New Technologies
Brandt acknowledged that shifting an agency rooted in bureaucratic traditions toward a more modern, technology-driven culture has been one of the toughest challenges. She pointed to the push for interoperability as a key example of how CMS is changing its approach.
By building robust application programming interfaces and fostering a health technology ecosystem that makes data sharing easier, the agency is breaking away from legacy methods and embracing tools that can genuinely improve outcomes for beneficiaries.
CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz has signaled that modernizing the agency’s technology infrastructure is a top priority, giving leaders across the organization the backing they need to pursue ambitious digital initiatives.
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## Frequently Asked Questions
**What is the Office of Health Technology and Products (OHTP)?**
OHTP is a newly created office within CMS dedicated to designing, developing, and delivering digital products and platforms primarily aimed at serving beneficiaries, states, and external partners.
**Who leads OHTP?**
Amy Gleason, CMS’s chief product officer and deputy administrator, leads the office. She also serves in a leadership role at the Office of Management and Budget.
**Does OHTP replace the CIO’s office?**
No. The two offices are designed to work together as complementary teams. The CIO’s office continues to handle enterprise-wide IT, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, and system migrations, while OHTP focuses on product development and digital transformation.
**What are the main goals of OHTP?**
The office aims to modernize existing technology, build new digital products, improve interoperability through APIs, and drive faster delivery of mission-critical services across Medicare, Medicaid, and the marketplace.
**How does OHTP differ from traditional agency IT offices?**
OHTP is modeled after private sector technology companies, with a focus on hiring software engineers and developers and adopting modern product development practices. It places greater emphasis on the end-user experience for beneficiaries and external partners.
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## Conclusion
The launch of OHTP marks a significant step forward for CMS as it seeks to leverage modern technology practices to better serve the American public. By pairing product-focused development with enterprise-level engineering and security expertise, the agency is building a framework that prioritizes mission outcomes and user experience. With strong leadership and a clear mandate from senior administration, the new office has the potential to reshape how federal health agencies approach digital services for years to come.
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