CMS is accelerating its electronic prior authorization (e-PA) efforts through the Electronic Prior Authorization Acceleration (EPAA) initiative. On May 14, Dr. Oz announced a group of early adopters consisting of 9 health systems and provider groups, 9 health plans, and 7 electronic health records (EHR) companies. Notably, Point Click Care and MatrixCare are not among the EHR participants.

The initiative stems from the 2024 Interoperability and Prior Authorization rule, which requires specified health plans — including Medicare Advantage plans — to deploy API-enabled prior authorization data exchange by January 1, 2027.

Early adopters are integrating e-PA into their clinical and administrative systems, reducing reliance on faxing and portal-based submissions, and improving visibility into authorization status and decisions. The initiative also aims to identify workflow challenges and smooth handoffs between systems ahead of broader implementation.

CMS encourages additional health care and EHR organizations to join as the initiative expands. Current efforts appear focused on prior authorizations originating from hospitals and physicians.