Interoperability & Prior Auth: What Changes in 2026

In this episode of Health Tech Checkup, hosts Rachelle Galant and Perry Dimas take on one of the most talked-about — and often misunderstood — topics in healthcare today: interoperability.With a wave of healthcare legislation rolling out over the past several years — including the Transparency and Coverage Final Rules, the No Surprises Act, and now the Interoperability and Prior Authorization Final Rule signed in January 2024 — the industry is once again being pushed toward greater transparency and accountability. But what does interoperability actually mean in practice? And why is prior authorization the starting point?They explore the government’s role in setting the framework, the challenges of API and FHIR requirements, and what new CMS reporting could reveal about prior authorization approvals and denials.They also discuss prior authorization as the proving ground for interoperability, transparency requirements coming in 2026, the emotional realities of healthcare delays, rural and small-practice hurdles, data standardization issues, the rise of third-party vendors, AI’s potential impact, and whether timing — more than technology — will determine success.As Rachel and Perry debate whether healthcare is finally at a tipping point, they ask the bigger question: Will interoperability actually work — or will it become another well-intentioned regulation with limited impact?Subscribe to HealthTech Check Up to stay up to date on where tech meets care, and leave us a review if you’re enjoying the show!—-------Keep in touch with our hosts, Rachelle Galant and Perry Dimas on Linkedin! To learn more about careviso, visit, www.careviso.com