TruBridge Signs CMS Health Tech Ecosystem Pledge as Nation's Leading Rural Healthcare Platform
Commitment builds on the company's efforts to advance interoperability and reduce administrative burden for rural and community healthcare providers
TruBridge, Inc. (NASDAQ:TBRG) ("TruBridge"), a leading provider of revenue cycle management and technology solutions for rural and community healthcare organizations, today announces the signing of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Health Tech Ecosystem Pledge on prior authorization. TruBridge signs this pledge as a dedicated voice for rural health providers across the nation.
The Electronic Prior Authorization Acceleration initiative unifies payers, providers, EHR vendors and patient-facing technology companies around a common vision to improve how prior authorization works in practice. The pledge targets technical interoperability and elimination of manual administrative tasks to improve transparency and workflow efficiency for providers and patients. Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator for CMS, announced the early adopter partners during the May 13 Axios Future of Health Summit.
Prior authorization often delays patient care by days or weeks and creates administrative burden that pulls clinicians away from the bedside. According to CMS, providers lose roughly 700 hours to the prior authorization process every year. This significant drain on resources represents 13 hours every week that could be better spent with patients. Patients bear the brunt of these administrative hurdles. What's more, recent data indicates 93% of physicians observe care delays due to prior authorization, with 82% reporting that the complexity causes patients to forgo necessary treatment. This system also takes a toll on providers, as 89% report increased levels of burnout.
For rural and community healthcare providers, manual faxes and constant denials have made the prior authorization process unsustainable, especially in regions already facing workforce shortages and resource strain.
"We've served rural and community healthcare organizations for decades, and we know these providers cannot afford administrative processes that slow care and pull limited staff away from patients," said Chris Fowler, president and CEO at TruBridge. "TruBridge is committed to working alongside key industry partners, including payers, providers and policy leaders, to help reduce unnecessary administrative burden, improve access to care and ensure healthcare teams, especially in rural communities, can stay focused on what matters most: caring for patients."
TruBridge champions a more connected healthcare ecosystem, building on its March signing of the CMS "Kill the Clipboard" Pledge to further drive interoperability and patient-centered care. Additionally, TruBridge is a founding member of the CommonWell Health Alliance, a Qualified Health Information Network (QHIN) enabling standardized data exchange across different EHR systems; all in support of its mission to clear the way for care.
As a long-time partner to rural and community hospitals, TruBridge brings practical, real-world experience to national conversations around interoperability, community healthcare and responsible technology adoption. The company advocates for policies that prioritize community-based care delivery and ensure that future interoperability standards are built for the practical realities of rural medicine, not just urban enterprise systems.
About TruBridge
TruBridge proudly supports rural and community hospitals and providers in their efforts to stay strong, independent and deeply rooted in the communities they serve. Backed by more than 45 years of healthcare experience and trusted by over 1,500 clients nationwide, TruBridge offers a mix of technology, services and strategic expertise, including revenue cycle management, electronic health records (EHR) and analytics, all designed singularly for the realities of rural and community healthcare. With a steadfast commitment to keeping care local, TruBridge helps hospitals flourish as the economic heart of their communities, delivering high-quality, personal care close to home. For more information, visit www.trubridge.com.
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Jamie Gier
SVP of Corporate Marketing
media@trubridge.com