# ONC and CMS Open Prior Authorization Testing Sprints

ONC and CMS are recruiting payers, providers, EHR developers, and intermediaries for voluntary, 10–12-week sprints to test FHIR-based electronic prior authorization workflows and identify interoperability issues. Expressions of interest are due **November 20, 2026 (six days away)**. The sprints are not a contract solicitation or a compliance determination; findings may inform standards updates and guidance ahead of the January 1, 2027, API implementation deadline for certain CMS-regulated health plans.

- Healthcare technology organizations interested in testing these workflows can submit an expression of interest by November 20; participation is voluntary.
- The initiative offers a way to surface interoperability issues across payers, providers, EHR developers, and intermediaries before the applicable API deadline.
- Procurement teams and contractors should distinguish this testing opportunity from a paid procurement or a formal compliance review when planning business development and client support.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Healthcare, Information Technology
**Topics:** Digital Infrastructure, Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** November 13, 2026

### Government Entities
- Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC)
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

### Vendors
- Drummond Group (Testing coordinator)
- MITRE (FFRDC operator and testing coordinator)

### Sources
- [ONC, CMS Open Prior Authorization Testing Sprints](https://www.executivegov.com/articles/onc-cms-prior-authorization-testing-payers-providers) - ExecutiveGov