ONC Announces 2026 SVAP: Enhancing Interoperability through FHIR and USCDI Evolution

Details

The National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) released several major standards through the 2026 SVAP cycle to significantly improve interoperability in health information systems. Key announcements include the adoption of USCDI v6, the latest version of the Unified Code Set for basic national-level health data categories and elements. Furthermore, regarding e-prescribing, updated FHIR-based Da Vinci guidelines (CRD, DTR, PAS) were included (versions 2.2.1 and 2.2.0). These new versions provide a robust foundation for achieving electronic prior authorization (ePA) in a more automated, reliable, and scalable manner. Additionally, ONC recommends annual updates such as HL7 FHIR US Core IG v9 and HL7 Consolidated CDA C-CDA Version 5 to guide the industry toward consistent implementation of USCDI v6. This evolution is expected to reduce operational friction between providers and payers, improving timely patient access to necessary care. A notable development is ONC's decision to keep previously approved standards available across all SVAP cycles. This flexibility allows developers to plan and maintain systems based on the latest evolving standards without being constrained by previous cycle deadlines, thereby boosting industry innovation and adaptability.