What is the CMS interoperability rule?

Asked by: Mortimer Kiehn  |  Last update: December 17, 2025
Score: 5/5 (64 votes)

This regulation includes policies which require or encourage payers to implement Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to improve the electronic exchange of healthcare data—sharing information with patients or exchanging information between a payer and provider or between two payers.

What is the CMS interoperability rule 2026?

Beginning primarily in 2026, impacted payers (not including QHP issuers on the FFEs) will be required to send prior authorization decisions within 72 hours for expedited (i.e., urgent) requests and seven calendar days for standard (i.e., non-urgent) requests for medical items and services.

What is the proposed rule for CMS in 2024?

On November 26, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule that would revise the Medicare Advantage (MA) Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program (Part D), Medicare Cost Plan Program, Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).

What is the 2025 CMS final rule?

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Nov. 1 released its calendar year 2025 final rule for the physician fee schedule. The rule will cut the conversion factor by 2.8% to $32.35 in CY 2025 compared to $33.29 in CY 2024.

What is interoperability in healthcare information systems?

Interoperability is the ability of two or more systems to exchange health information and use the information once it is received. It will take time for all types of health IT to be fully interoperable.

Interoperability and Patient Access Proposed Rule

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What is CMS interoperability?

The rule, titled CMS Interoperability and Prior Authorization (CMS-0057-F), aims to reduce administrative burden, increase patient access to health information, and promote interoperability across the healthcare system regarding medical services.

What are the 3 types of interoperability?

The three levels of healthcare interoperability are the foundational level, the structural level and the semantic level.

Will CMS pay for telehealth in 2025?

Medicare patients can receive telehealth services for non-behavioral/mental health care in their home through March 31, 2025.

What is the CMS final rule?

On April 4, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule that revises the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program (Medicare Part D), Medicare Cost Plan Program, Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), and Health Information Technology ...

What is the donut hole in Medicare 2025?

In 2025, the Medicare Part D coverage gap, also known as the “donut hole,” will be eliminated under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Part D plan members will also enjoy the security of an annual maximum out-of-pocket cost for prescription drugs.

What happens to Medicare in 2026?

For the first time, Medicare is able to negotiate directly with manufacturers for the price of certain high-spending brand-name Medicare Part B and Part D drugs that don't have competition. Prices have been negotiated for the first 10 drugs selected and will be effective in 2026.

Why are hospitals refusing Medicare Advantage plans?

Among the most commonly cited reasons are excessive prior authorization denial rates and slow payments from insurers. In 2023, Becker's began reporting on hospitals and health systems nationwide that dropped some or all of their Medicare Advantage contracts.

What changes are coming to Medicare in 2024?

Expansion of the federal Extra Help program

Historically, there have been two versions of the program, the full program and a partial program. As of January 1, 2024, the partial program was eliminated. With full benefits, the majority, if not all, out-of-pocket costs for prescription medications will be covered.

What is the CMS rule for 2024?

Beginning January 1, 2024, CMS is finalizing implementation of a separate add-on payment for healthcare common procedure coding system (HCPCS) code G2211. This add-on code will better recognize the resource costs associated with evaluation and management visits for primary care and longitudinal care.

What is the CMS rule for 2026?

The rule finalizes additional safeguards, beginning in 2026, to protect consumers from unauthorized changes to their health care coverage, as well as options to ensure the integrity of the Federally-facilitated Marketplaces (FFMs).

What is the CMS Final Rule 2024 translation?

The 2024 Final Rule also introduces stricter standards for Medicare marketing and communications. These changes ensure that individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) and disabilities can access important information in non-English languages and accessible formats.

What is the interoperability rule CMS?

The Interoperability and Patient Access final rule (CMS-9115-F) put patients first by giving them access to their health information when they need it most, and in a way they can best use it.

What is the new rule for Medicare in 2025?

Beginning in 2025, people with Part D plans won't have to pay more than $2,000 in out-of-pocket costs, thanks to a provision in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. The $2,000 cap will be indexed to the growth in per capita Part D costs, so it may rise each year after 2025.

What is the two-midnight rule in 2024?

The two-midnight presumption directs medical reviewers to select Original Fee-for-Service Medicare Part A claims for review under a presumption that hospital stays that span two midnights after an inpatient admission are reasonable and necessary Part A payment.

Is telehealth ending in 2024?

We continue to carefully consider the input received and are working to promulgate a final set of telemedicine regulations. However, with the end of 2024 quickly approaching, DEA, jointly with HHS, has extended current telemedicine flexibilities through December 31, 2025.

Is Medicare getting rid of telehealth?

High rates of telehealth use among all Medicare patients continued from 2021 to 2023. But the flexibilities allowing more Medicare participants to use telehealth expire at the end of 2024.

What is the deductible for CMS Part B in 2025?

The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B enrollees in 2025 will be $257, an increase of $17 from the 2024 deductible of $240. Certain beneficiaries will continue to pay higher premiums based on their modified adjusted gross income.

Who regulates interoperability in healthcare?

ONC leads and coordinates interoperability activities nationwide. This includes supporting interoperability through technical initiatives such as standards development and health IT certification as well as policy and programmatic initiatives in collaboration with partners across the health care industry.

What is HL7 used for?

HL7 is the messaging standard that enables interoperability and helps healthcare providers deliver better care. Health Level Seven (HL7) is a set of international standards used to provide guidance with transferring and sharing data between various healthcare providers.

What are the 5 lanes of interoperability?

The National Interoperability Baseline Survey used the framework of the SAFECOM Interoperability Continuum to examine different dimensions of interoperability. The Continuum defines five dimensions or lanes: Governance, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Technology, Training and Exercises, and Usage.