Physicians should quiz EHR and billing vendors as electronic prior auth nears
The CMS-0057 rule will require health plans to support electronic prior authorization, prompting practices to check vendor readiness. A key question for physicians is which payers will be operational in their EHR by Jan. 1.
Under the CMS-0057 rule, health plans must make prior authorization available electronically. As that deadline approaches, medical practices are advised to ask their EHR and billing vendors whether they are prepared.
For physicians, a central question is which payers will be live in their EHR by Jan. 1. The headline suggests vendor questioning is a practical step before the requirement takes effect.
If electronic prior authorization works as intended, patients may see faster answers and less delay in care, while physicians and staff could spend less time on administrative work. But if payers or vendors are not ready by Jan. 1, practices may face workflow disruptions, and patients could experience continued or new delays. The impact may depend on how smoothly EHR and billing systems connect with health plans.