Alberto Colon is being honored in Category 2: Delivering Excellence in Digital Services for leading the modernization of Medicare.gov's digital identity experience, making secure healthcare access simpler, safer, and more accessible for millions of Americans. As Chief Health Technology Officer at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Alberto championed a customer-first approach that prioritized ease of use, security, and equitable access while advancing interoperability across the federal government.

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Alberto led the implementation of enhanced login capabilities using portable digital identity providers that meet the highest federal security standards. He ensured Medicare.gov adopted the same secure identity infrastructure used by the Social Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the IRS, allowing beneficiaries to use a single trusted credential across multiple government services. He also championed an inclusive design that offers in-person identity verification, video-assisted proofing for underserved populations, and phone support in more than 200 languages. By integrating ID.me, he enabled millions of existing users to access Medicare.gov without creating new accounts or repeating the verification process.

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The results have been transformative. More than 70 million Medicare beneficiaries now have access to a modern, secure login experience, with 93% of ID.me users signing in seamlessly at launch using credentials they already possessed. The platform now meets NIST IAL2/AAL2 identity security standards while allowing 94% of new users to complete verification through self-service and providing video support for those needing additional assistance. Through his leadership, Alberto has strengthened security, expanded accessibility, and created a more seamless, customer-focused digital experience for millions of Americans.