May 11, 2026
The current prior authorization process can create unnecessary delays and burden for providers. This past summer, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, and National Coordinator for Health IT Dr. Thomas Keane announced a health-care industry pledge with major health plans from across the country to streamline and improve the prior authorization system. This pledge reflects a shared commitment to modernize prior authorization and create a more responsive, patient-centered health care experience.
CMS strongly encourages providers to take an active role in advancing electronic prior authorization by participating in Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources® (FHIR) Application Programming Interface (API) testing with your electronic health record (EHR) vendor and payer partners. Contact your EHR vendor to learn how to test to ensure your systems are ready for electronic prior authorization. Early testing and collaboration between your practice, EHR vendor, and payers is essential to ensure seamless, real-world implementation of electronic prior authorization workflows. Engage now to:
- Identify gaps
- Validate workflows
- Build the technical readiness needed to meet upcoming implementation goals
- Improve the experience for your patients and staff
Visit the new Electronic Prior Authorization webpage to get started.