Unpacking the FY 2027 IPPS Final Rule CMS-1849-F: How Mandatory Electronic Prior Auth, FHIR APIs, Sepsis Readmission Penalties, and Expanded eCQMs Are Reshaping Hospital Tech Investment Priorities

Nearly 70% of U.S. hospitals got hit with readmission penalties in FY 2026. Around $290M redistributed out of their budgets. CMS-1849-F just made that program harder to escape. Thread on what changed.

Electronic prior auth goes from optional bonus to MANDATORY in CY 2028. CMS also finalized specific Da Vinci FHIR IGs as the technical standard. Physicians…