We are now well past the 20 year mark in our quest for healthcare interoperability. Under an executive order from president G W Bush (April 2004), the ONC was established and Dr. David Brailer was dubbed “America’s first Health Information Czar.” The Meaningful Use program was then born out of the HITECH Act and Merit-Based Incentive Payment System was then born our of the MACRA legislation. And then information sharing from the CURES Act. And now the release of Trusted Exchange Framework and the Common Agreement (TEFCA). All trying to move our healthcare system to the digital age, better outcomes, controlling and reducing costs, and patient access to their health data. It has not been an easy road and the debate of the journey will never end.
Industry and Contract News
Converge Health Launches to Bridge the Last Mile of Interoperability in Healthcare
A new kind of healthcare technology consulting firm has officially launched. Converge Health, a women-owned company, is on a mission to close the toughest data exchange gaps in healthcare—starting with the last mile of interoperability.
Altera Digital Health and Health Gorilla Announce Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Healthcare Interoperability
Altera Digital Health, a global health IT leader, announced a strategic partnership with Health Gorilla, a national interoperability platform and Qualified Health Information Network (QHIN) delivering real-time, structured, AI-ready health data. The collaboration will enable seamless data exchange across care settings, giving clinicians faster, more complete access to actionable patient data.
athenahealth is the First Healthcare IT Company to Implement TEFCA at Scale, Leading the way in Nationwide Interoperability
athenahealth, a provider of network-enabled software and services for health care practices and systems nationwide, announced it is the first healthcare IT company to successfully migrate all eligible providers on the athenaOne network to the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA). For over a decade, athenahealth has been a critical partner and leader in improving data exchange across healthcare systems. This milestone affirms athenahealth’s role as a driving force behind a modern, patient- and provider- centric health data ecosystem – one where actionable insights flow seamlessly, securely, and in real time.
eClinicalWorks and Sunoh.ai Help Evolve Psychiatry Save Over Two Hours Daily on Clinical Documentation
eClinicalWorks®, a provider of ambulatory cloud EHR solutions, announced that Evolve Psychiatry is successfully utilizing Sunoh.ai, the AI-powered ambient listening solution, at its practice. This implementation has revolutionized clinical documentation by saving providers over two hours daily, enhancing accuracy, and improving workflow efficiency.
CMS - Aligned Network
CMS is engaging with industry early adopters to empower patients, reduce administrative burden, and improve health outcomes through secure, personalized and interoperable healthcare technology. We have listed some of the early adopters below. Visit CMS for a complete list.
eHealth Exchange Announces Support for CMS’ Health Tech Ecosystem at White House Interoperability Event
eHealth Exchange™, the nation’s oldest and largest health information network, supports the CMS Interoperability Framework announced today.
Arcadia Announces Commitments to Support the CMS-Aligned Network Strategy
Arcadia®, a healthcare data platform, announced deeper industry collaboration to provide customers with a streamlined pathway into the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Aligned Network Strategy. These efforts will enable Arcadia’s customers—including Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), health systems, and health plans—to connect to health data networks that accelerate consumer-directed health data access, fuel value-based care, and reduce administrative friction across the healthcare ecosystem.
CommonWell Health Alliance Announces Participation in CMS Interoperability Framework
CommonWell Health Alliance announced it will participate in and help define the newly announced CMS Interoperability Framework, including meeting requirements to become a CMS-Aligned Network. The vision for the framework is well aligned to CommonWell’s expertise and leadership in patient access, high-quality record matching for provider and patient usability, and strong connectivity and transparency standards. This continuity makes CommonWell a leading choice for organizations committed to frictionless interoperability nationwide under CMS’ leadership.
Health Gorilla Joins CMS-Aligned Network as a Trusted Data Network Enabling AI-Ready Clinical Data Exchange
Health Gorilla, a designated Qualified Health Information Network (QHIN) under the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA), announced its participation as one of the inaugural data network early adopters in the CMS-Aligned Network. Recognized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as a trusted exchange partner, Health Gorilla brings a unique capability to the initiative: enabling secure, standards-based access to AI-ready structured clinical data at national scale.
Kno2 Pledges to become a CMS Aligned Network
Kno2 proudly participated in a landmark healthcare technology event hosted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the U.S. DOGE Service, and senior HHS leadership, pledging their commitment to advancing America’s Health Tech Ecosystem vision on Wednesday July 30, 2025.
KONZA Health Supports and Endorses the CMS Digital Health Ecosystem
KONZA Health supports and endorses the CMS Digital Health Ecosystem as a bold new vision to support a shared framework for data and access that empowers people, improves care, and accelerates progress.
eClinicalWorks Pledges Support to CMS Digital Health Tech Ecosystem Initiative at the White House
eClinicalWorks®, the largest ambulatory cloud EHR, is proud to announce its active participation in the CMS Digital Health Tech Ecosystem, an initiative announced today by top health officials at the White House to promote seamless healthcare data sharing and new industry interoperability standards.
Spotlight on Community Networks
The Network for Regional Healthcare Improvement (NRHI) and the Strategic Health Information Exchange Collaborative (SHIEC) announced a formal affiliation between the two organizations to form a new organization named Civitas Networks for Health. The organization serves as a platform for local nonprofit health collaboratives and health information exchanges to grow and thrive. Read their latest news. Follow them @civitas4health.
Talking the Walk
On this episode, host Tom Testa sits down with Jolie Ritzo, interim CEO of Civitas Networks for Health. Jolie shares her journey in public health, her commitment to underserved communities, and how Civitas is driving health equity. She also offers a preview of the upcoming Civitas Annual Conference and what attendees can expect.
Announcing 2025 Annual Conference Premier Partnership with 211 San Diego which encompasses Community Information Exchange (CIE) San Diego, and San Diego Health Connect (HIE) will serve as the premier conference partner for the Annual Conference alongside other California Civitas members. The theme, “Bridging Data and Doing,” from September 28-30, 2025, in Anaheim, CA. Sponsorship opportunities are now available.
State HIE News
HealtheConnections Awarded SHIN-NY Statewide Alerting Contract; Announces New Service Powered by Solution from PointClickCare
HealtheConnections, a leading health information exchange organization, has been awarded a contract to provide Statewide Encounter Alerts on behalf of the Statewide Health Information Network for New York (SHIN-NY). Certified by the New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH) as an entity qualified to deliver SHIN-NY services, HealtheConnections is launching a new, next-generation alerting solution designed to improve care coordination and health outcomes for millions of New Yorkers.
Michigan Health Information Network Shared Services uses funds to better serve veterans
Despite the existence of the Department of Veterans Affairs system, almost half of all U.S. veterans still face significant challenges accessing adequate healthcare. This is a frustrating, yet solvable problem according to experts at Michigan Health Information Network Shared Services (MiHIN), Michigan’s state-designated health information exchange that facilitates the sharing of patient health information to improve care quality, efficiency, and patient safety. The organization was recently awarded the Michigan Veteran Service Organizations Networking Grant from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) to assist in employing a “no wrong door” approach to ensure veterans in Michigan can easily access the benefits and services they deserve.
Hires and Openings
eHealth Exchange
Active in all 50 states, the eHealth Exchange is the largest query-based, health information network in the country. It is the principal network that connects federal agencies and non-federal organizations, allowing them to work together to improve patient care and public health. They have an open positions for:
Contexture
Contexture is a nonprofit organization that provides strategic, technical and administrative support to communities committed to advancing health through information sharing. As the leading health information exchange for Arizona and Colorado, Contexture is the largest health information organization in the western region. Check out their current openings.
Delaware Health Information Network
Delaware Health Information Network (DHIN) is currently seeking a Project Manager Analyst. Specifically, the Project Manager plays a critical role by serving as the lead for project work for all assigned project initiatives and will integrate with all DHIN teams, DHIN stakeholders and technology vendors. Projects are typically IT integration but are shifting towards projects requiring software development and customization. The PM has no positional authority and must be able to create and sustain cooperative voluntary relationships between the project participants.
North Carolina Department of Information Technology
The NC Health Information Exchange Authority (NC HIEA) is seeking its next mission-driven, highly motivated and detail-oriented data quality team lead. The Data Quality and Integrity Team Lead (DQIL) will be the in-house data expert, comfortable working with data and business processes to enable new and innovative use cases for NC HealthConnex, the state-designated health information exchange, as well as enhance the overall experience for NC HIEA participants across external NC HealthConnex services.
VITL
VITL is passionate about improving health care for Vermonters. They are a mission-driven nonprofit that connects health care data across the state. VITL is where the health care and technology sectors meet. Their network facilitates the secure exchange of real-time information and makes it possible for providers to get the information they need to provide excellent health care for Vermonters. They have the following openings:
- HL7 Interoperability Engineer
- Business Analyst – Health Information Exchange (HIE) Platform Upgrade
Upcoming Events
A Conversation with MiHIN & MDHHS’ Immunization Information System
When: Tuesday, August 26, 2025 2:00pm ET
Where: Virtually
Register for this event.
Join MiHIN for the August installment of The Download as they recognize National Immunization Awareness Month with a special session in partnership with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ (MDHHS) Immunization Information System (IIS). They’ll spotlight how system interoperability and long-standing collaboration between the two organizations help providers spend less time on manual reporting and more time with patients.
Zen Healthcare IT – August: Interop Workshop: Special Guest Liz Lewis from CommonWell Health Alliance
When: Wednesday, August 27, 2025 2:00 pm ET
Where: Virtually
Register for this event.
Join Liz Lewis from CommonWell Health Alliance, along with Ron Wilson and Jim Benson from Zen Healthcare IT, for a special Interop Workshop session.
This month’s discussion will explore the national interoperability landscape, comparing frameworks like Carequality and TEFCA, and diving into the technical nuances that impact real-world implementation. We’ll also preview future topics such as USCDI v3 and the rising importance of content quality standards.
Come ready to learn, ask questions, and stay ahead of what’s coming in healthcare data exchange.
Civitas 2025 Annual Conference
When: September 28-30, 2025
Where: Anaheim, CA
Event Page
Register for this event
Event hashtag: #Civitas2025
Bridging Data and Doing – Civitas’ Annual Conference brings together hundreds of passionate industry leaders, decision-makers, implementers, and innovators to discuss interoperability, data-driven quality improvement, social determinants of health, public health, multi-stakeholder and community-led governance, and health outcomes. Civitas’ members serve as the bridge between “data” and “doing” in health and health care. Attendees choose the conference to foster deep connections, strengthen and build new partnerships, and leave with tangible ways to evolve their national, state, regional, and local initiatives.
eHealth Exchange 2025 Annual Meeting
When: November 18, 2025
Where: Nashville, TN
Event Page
Save the Date
Event hashtag: #eHx25
It is that time of the year again to mark your calendars for the eHealth Exchange Annual Meeting on November 18, 2025. This year they are traveling back to beautiful Nashville, TN.
ONC's Cures Act Final Rule
In May of 2020 the 21st Century Cures Act: Interoperability, Information Blocking, and the ONC Health IT Certification Program released by the ONC and published in the Federal Register.
The TEFCA Players
ONC Recognized Coordinating Entity (RCE)
The Recognized Coordinating Entity (RCE) – The Sequoia Project (@sequoiaproject)is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining the Common Agreement component of the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA). The Common Agreement is the baseline technical and legal requirements for health information networks to share electronic health information and is part of the 21st Century Cures Act (Cures Act).
In addition they will collaborate with ONC to designate and monitor Qualified Health Information Networks (QHIN), modify and update an accompanying QHIN Technical Framework, engage with stakeholders through virtual public listening sessions, adjudicate noncompliance with the Common Agreement, and propose sustainability strategies to support TEFCA beyond the cooperative agreement’s period of performance.
On August 28, 2023, the ONC awarded The Sequoia Project 5-Year TEFCA RCE Contract to continue their services.
RCE Resource Library – which includes a guide to the Common Agreement, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), technical documents, and other resources that make up TEFCA’s rules of the road. Start your journey to next generation interoperability here.
The Sequoia Project Addresses Health Data Information Sharing with Educational Toolkit – The Sequoia Project released an informational and educational toolkit to support providers, health IT developers, health information networks and exchanges, and the greater healthcare community’s commitment to compliance with the federal Information Blocking Rule (IBR).
The Sequoia Project Releases Data Usability Guide Version 2.0 – The Sequoia Project announced the release of the Data Usability Implementation Guide Version 2.0 created by its Interoperability Matters Data Usability Workgroup (DUWG). This resource covers the identified priority use cases that can be readily adopted within health information exchange vendors, implementers, networks, governance frameworks, and testing programs within 18 months.
The Sequoia Project Publishes State of Consent Capabilities – The Sequoia Project published Moving Toward Computable Consent: A Landscape Review for public feedback. This whitepaper explains the importance of managing privacy and consent when sharing personal health information, scans the current landscape of challenges facing those entrusted with personal health information, enumerates existing solutions, and explores the strengths and deficiencies of these approaches.
Designated QHINs as of February 2024
Candidate QHINs
Organizations that have completed the Qualified Health Information Network® (QHIN™) application and have been accepted into the project planning and testing phase of the on boarding and designation process.
Interoperability Market
According to research by Grand View Research, the global healthcare interoperability solutions market size was estimated at USD 3.42 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.15% from 2024 to 2030. An increase in the adoption of interoperability solutions by healthcare authorities, a rise in investments to enhance healthcare facilities, favorable government initiatives to improve patient care, high government funding, and a focus on patient-centric care are some major factors propelling the market growth. In February 2023, the federal government provided USD 505 million to federal data partners and Canada Health Infoway to advance digital health tools and an interoperability roadmap. Thus, the rising investments and funding from government bodies are anticipated to drive the industry growth.