WEDI Submits FPC Report to CMS on X12 Version 008060. WEDI submitted its Federal Policy Consultation (FPC) report on X12’s Version 008060 to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) following completion of its first FPC process. WEDI’s FPC process provides an organized, repeatable approach to convene stakeholders and collect input before the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), CMS, or other HHS agencies take regulatory action. The process supports a structured, flexible methodology to obtain perspectives and data from a wide range of participants, including non-WEDI members. WEDI’s role is to synthesize majority and minority views and provide a factual report of the information collected. The “WEDI X12 Version 008060 Federal Policy Consultation Report,” developed in consultation with CMS, compiled industry feedback and insights gathered through a survey, written statements, and participation in a hearing, on the potential adoption of the next generation of electronic transactions under Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
WEDI thanks CMS, the FPC participants and moderators whose expertise, insights, and collaboration helped provide the agency with valuable industry perspectives on the potential adoption of the next version of HIPAA electronic transactions.
CMS Announces Early Adopters for Electronic Prior Authorization Acceleration Initiative. CMS announced early adopters of its newly established Electronic Prior Authorization Acceleration initiative. This initiative, launched through the CMS Health Tech Ecosystem, seeks to address key prior authorization challenges and drive solutions ahead of 2027 requirements of the CMS Interoperability and Prior Authorization Final Rule. The early adopters are 29 health care organizations, including health systems, electronic health record developers, physician practices, networks, and digital health developers. The initiative focuses on addressing implementation challenges and supporting readiness ahead of the regulatory requirements. Participating organizations are working to: (i) Integrate electronic prior authorization into clinical and administrative systems; (ii) Reduce reliance on manual processes, such as fax and portal-based workflows; (iii) Increase visibility into authorization status and decisions; and (iv) Close workflow gaps and improve technical handoffs across systems. CMS is encouraging additional organizations to join this initiative.
Healthcare Advisory Committee to Hold First Public Meeting on May 18. The Healthcare Advisory Committee (HAC) is holding its first public meeting virtually on Monday, May 18 from 2:00 – 4:30 pm ET. The agenda includes public introduction of the committee members, review of the committee’s vision, and establishment of the committee’s bylaws. The purpose of HAC is to advise the HHS Secretary and CMS Administrator on programs and policies related to improving wellness and preventing chronic disease, reducing administrative burden, using real-time data, improving care for vulnerable populations, strengthening Medicare Advantage, and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse. The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom and is open to the public. The link to attend the meeting is available on the HAC website.
TEFCA™ RCE Publishes Draft SOPs for Review. The Sequoia Project, the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement™ (TEFCA™) Recognized Coordinating Entity® (RCE®), along with the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) published the Vetting Process Exchange Purpose SOP Version 2.0, Treatment Exchange Purpose SOP Version 2.0, and Exchange Purposes SOP Version 5.1 on the TEFCA Topics in Change Management webpage for review. The Vetting Process Exchange Purpose Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) establishes a clear and transparent framework for evaluating and approving Entrants before their listing in the RCE Directory Service. The Treatment Exchange Purpose SOP identifies implementation specifications that Qualified Health Information Networks, Participants, and Subparticipants must follow when asserting the Treatment Exchange Purpose. The Exchange Purposes SOP defines the authorized Exchange Purposes and identifies any for which a response is required by a Responding Node pursuant to the Common Agreement. Feedback on the three SOPs is due on May 29, 2026.
CMS Opens CY 2024 Doctors and Clinicians Preview Period. CMS opened the calendar year (CY) 2024 Doctors and Clinicians Preview Period, set to run from May 13 to June 11. Clinicians can review their CY 2024 Quality Payment Program (QPP) performance information before it appears in the Provider Data Catalog and on clinician and group profile pages on the Medicare.gov compare tool. Participating providers will be able to access the secure preview on the QPP website. Medicare Shared Savings Program Accountable Care Organizations can also review quality performance information in their previously provided CY 2024 Quality Performance Reports on the Care Compare: Doctors and Clinicians Initiative webpage and in the QPP Resource Library. Questions about public reporting of clinicians and groups in the PDC and on the Medicare.gov compare tool can be emailed to QPP@cms.hhs.gov.
CMS Opens Registration for 2026 MIPS Value Pathways and CAHPS for MIPS Survey. The CMS has opened the 2026 Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) Value Pathways (MVP) registration for the 2026 performance year. Registration for individuals and groups providers, as well as Alternative Payment Model (APM) Entities, will remain open until November 30. For providers that want to use the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) for the MIPS Survey, registration is separate. The deadline to complete both the MVP registration and CAHPS for MIPS Survey registration is June 30. Refer to the 2026 Finalized MVPs Guide for additional information on the MVP registration.
Separately, for the CMS CAHPS for MIPS Survey, registration for the 2026 performance year is now open through June 30. Groups, virtual groups, subgroups, and APM Entities can register to administer the CAHPS for MIPS Survey for Traditional MIPS, APM Performance Pathway, or MVPs reporting.
CMS 2026 MIPS Exception Application Now Available. The CMS 2026 QPP MIPS Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Exception application is available now through December 31. This application allows users to indicate the reason they are unable to report data for one or more MIPS performance categories. Exception applications can be submitted due to extreme and uncontrollable circumstances, defined as rare events entirely outside of the individual’s control and the control of the facility. Sign in to the QPP website to apply.
CISA Releases Alert on Supply Chain Compromise of Axios Node Package Manager. The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released an alert and guidance on the software supply chain compromise of the Axios node package manager (npm). Axios is an HTTP client for JavaScript that developers commonly use in Node.js and browser environments. A compromise of two Axios npm packages representing cyber threat, including a remote access trojan, were recently identified. Organizations using Axios npm are urged to implement the recommended mitigation steps to detect and remediate a potential compromise and monitor for compromised dependencies.