How Clear and CMS are bringing better technology to Medicare

June 6, 2026 - 04:38

Caryn Seidman Becker, Chairman and CEO of CLEAR, and Chris Klomp, Deputy Administrator and Director of Medicare at CMS, sat down with CNBC's Becky Quick at the CNBC CEO Council Summit in Washington, D.C. to discuss a new public-private partnership. The collaboration aims to bring modern technology to the Medicare system, making it easier for seniors to access their benefits and manage their healthcare.

Becker explained that CLEAR's identity verification technology, already used at airports and stadiums, can simplify the often confusing process of enrolling in Medicare plans. Klomp added that the goal is to reduce fraud and streamline the user experience for millions of Americans. The partnership will focus on using secure digital tools to verify patient identities and connect them with the right coverage options.

Both leaders emphasized that the initiative is not about replacing human interaction but about cutting through red tape. They hope to roll out the first phase of the program in the coming months, targeting the upcoming open enrollment period. The effort represents a rare collaboration between a private tech company and a major federal health agency, with the shared goal of making government services feel more like a modern consumer experience.