The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have finalized the CMS Interoperability and Prior Authorization Final Rule (CMS-0057-F) that sets requirements for impacted payers to improve the electronic exchange of health information and prior authorization processes for medical items and services. This final rule establishes requirements for certain payers to streamline the prior authorization process and complements the Medicare Advantage requirements finalized in the Contract Year (CY) 2024 MA and Part D final rule, which add continuity of care requirements and reduce disruptions for beneficiaries. [Editor's note: The final rule requires affected plans to address non-urgent prior authorization requests in 1 week and urgent requests within 72 hours.]