Digital Health and Interoperability: Challenges and Strategies for 2026

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Healthcare is under pressure to modernize to achieve value-based care goals and comply with regulations (such as the 21st Century Cures Act), making interoperability essential. At the recent CMS digital health ecosystem event, over 60 companies pledged better clinical data sharing. The federal government promotes interoperability through three main levers: Patient Access (APIs for full records), TEFCA (a national framework for secure exchange), and Penalties for Information Blocking. However, true interoperability requires cultural change beyond mere compliance. Key strategies include aligning with the CMS Interoperability Framework, adopting standards like FHIR, automating quality reporting, and integrating diverse data sources (e.g., clinical registries, billing). By Q2 2026, FHIR-based exchange is expected to operate at scale, marking a shift from pilot programs to large-scale implementation. The ultimate goal is building a culture of interoperability—treating data sharing as a core operating principle—to ensure sustainable growth and better operational efficiency.