We are now well past the 21 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 out of the MACRA legislation. And then information sharing from the CURES Act. And then the release of Trusted Exchange Framework and the Common Agreement (TEFCA). And now the CMS Interoperability Framework. 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
DirectTrust® Reports Record High Exchange Activity in 2025, With Nearly 1.9 Billion Direct Exchange Transactions
DirectTrust®, a non-profit healthcare industry alliance focused on furthering trust in healthcare technology and data exchange through standards, accreditation, and other services, announced full-year 2025 metrics from its accredited Health Information Service Provider (HISP) members, highlighting record-high Direct exchange activity in 2025 and continued growth in the use of the DirectTrust national network for secure, interoperable Direct exchange of health information.
Surescripts Annual Impact Report: 6 Stats That Matter in 2026
This isn’t just a statement of optimism. The data in the Annual Impact Report is proof. The numbers tell a powerful story about what happens when thousands of health systems, pharmacies, life science companies, payers and technology partners align around a common mission—putting patients first. With this report, you’re seeing evidence of that alignment. Ready to dive into the numbers? Here are six noteworthy statistics and charts from the report.
Olio Partners with Kno2 to Enhance Care Coordination with Real-Time Record Access
Olio has partnered with Kno2 to change that. By integrating real-time EHR access powered by Kno2’s TEFCA-enabled network, clinicians can securely query patient records from hospitals and providers nationwide, all without leaving the Olio platform. This partnership reflects a broader focus on improving the partner experience and making coordination feel easier for the teams who rely on Olio every day.
Health Gorilla Files Motion to Dismiss, Reaffirming Confidence in Interoperability System
Health Gorilla announced that it has filed a Motion to Dismiss litigation initiated by Epic, in which Health Gorilla reaffirms its commitment to strong, nationwide interoperability frameworks that enable providers to safely and securely exchange patient information. The Motion to Dismiss states that the lawsuit is an attack on interoperability, threatening patient safety and efficient healthcare nationwide.
Social Security Administration Selects eHealth Exchange as its QHIN to Support Government Benefits Determination
eHealth Exchange™, one of the nation’s largest and longest-standing health information networks (HIEs), announced that the Social Security Administration (SSA) has selected eHealth Exchange as its Qualified Health Information Network® (QHIN™) under the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement™ (TEFCA™). The primary purpose of use for this connection will be SSA’s Government Benefits Determination, supporting SSA’s mission to efficiently and accurately evaluate disability benefits claims.
eClinicalWorks and Sunoh.ai Help Rural Pediatricians Reclaim More Than Two Hours Each Day
eClinicalWorks®, the largest ambulatory cloud EHR, announced that Kidzcare Pediatrics, located in a rural community in Tennessee, is reclaiming over two hours daily by using Sunoh.ai, the leading AI medical scribe fully integrated with the eClinicalWorks EHR. The solution streamlines clinical documentation and coding while fitting seamlessly into existing workflows, helping providers reduce administrative burden, limit after-hours work, and focus more fully on delivering high-quality pediatric care. By improving documentation accuracy and efficiency, Sunoh.ai also supports billing performance and long-term practice sustainability.
Epic AI Charting Rolls Out Alongside an Expanding Set of Built-in AI Capabilities
Epic released AI Charting, a built-in feature that listens during patient visits, drafts the clinician’s note, and queues up orders based on the conversation. Clinicians say that by handling documentation work in real time, Epic AI Charting helps them stay focused on the patient while capturing a more complete record of the visit—reducing work after the patient leaves the room and supporting stronger patient-clinician connections.
CommonWell Health Alliance Marks a Momentous Year; Continues Work Advancing Interoperability and Patient Access
CommonWell Health Alliance, a nonprofit member-driven alliance and Qualified Health Information Network® (QHIN™), closed 2025 with significant progress toward the organization’s goals of advancing healthcare interoperability and building better access for patients. CommonWell’s work over the past year reflects its continued leadership, network investment, and commitment to member readiness for Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement™ (TEFCA™) participation and support of the CMS Interoperability Framework.
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.
Civitas2026 Annual Conference Sponsorship Prospectus Now Available
They are pleased to share that the 2026 Civitas Annual Conference Sponsorship Prospectus is now available! The Civitas Annual Conference brings together leaders from across the health data and health improvement ecosystem—including Health Information Exchanges (HIEs), Health Data Utilities (HDUs), Community Information Exchanges (CIEs), Regional Health Improvement Collaboratives (RHICs), public health organizations, quality improvement organizations, policymakers, and national partners, to advance collaboration and real-world implementation.
Introducing the First-Ever Civitas Networks for Health® Impact Report
They are proud to share the first-ever Civitas Networks for Health® Impact Report, highlighting the collective progress, growth, and real-world impact of our national networks.
Since their founding in 2021, Civitas has been built on a simple but powerful belief: local implementation, grounded in trusted relationships and strong data, drives national health improvement. In just a few years, that belief has grown into a network of more than 160 mission-driven organizations working across states and communities to strengthen health data exchange, collaboration, and decision-making.
State HIE News
South Dakota Rural Health Transformation
South Dakota has been awarded more than $189 million through the Rural Health Transformation Project to strengthen rural healthcare systems and improve access to care across the state. As part of this effort, work is underway to launch the Digital Health Modernization and Technology Grant Program under Initiative 1: Technology and Data Connection for a Healthier South Dakota.
Michigan Health Information Network Shared Services (MiHIN) Achieves HISP Reaccreditation!
Hires and Openings
CIVHC (Center for Improving Value in Health Care)
The Center for Improving Value in Health Care (CIVHC) is an independent non-profit that equips partners and communities in Colorado and across the nation with the resources, services and unbiased data needed to improve health and health care. As the designated administrator of Colorado’s All Payer Claims Database (CO APCD), CIVHC oversees the collection of health care claims from Colorado’s public and private health care insurers and uses that information to promote price transparency, inform policy, advance health equity, conduct research, and much more. Check out their Current Openings.
healthEconnect Alaska
Hiring: Healthcare Engagement Specialist – healthEconnect Alaska is seeking an experienced healthcare professional who thrives on building relationships, supporting others, and driving healthcare efficiency. If you have at least five years of professional healthcare experience, a strong understanding of healthcare workflows, and a passion for whole-person care, they want to hear from you. View more information about the position.
HealthInfoNet
From the mountains to the coast, HealthInfoNet’s health information services are used by clinical and community providers to inform the care they provide to their communities. Their guiding principle is to endlessly craft better, easier, and safer solutions to facilitate improvements in health outcomes, risks, conditions, and drivers. They have the following openings:
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. Open positions include:
Delaware Health Information Network
Delaware Health Information Network (DHIN) was the first live, statewide health information exchange in the nation. Launched in 2007, today it serves all of Delaware’s acute care hospitals and nearly 100% of the state’s medical providers. More than 14 million clinical results and reports are delivered through DHIN each year. There are over three million unique patients with results on DHIN, including patients from all 50 states. DHIN shares real-time clinical information to improve patient outcomes, eliminate the duplication of services and reduce the cost of healthcare. Check out their current opening for Information Security Analyst.
Upcoming Events
Civitas Annual Conference
When: September 22-24, 2026
Where: Crystal City VA
Event Page
Register coming soon.
Hashtag: #Civitas2026
They are pleased to share that the 2026 Civitas Annual Conference Sponsorship Prospectus is now available! The Civitas Annual Conference brings together leaders from across the health data and health improvement ecosystem—including Health Information Exchanges (HIEs), Health Data Utilities (HDUs), Community Information Exchanges (CIEs), Regional Health Improvement Collaboratives (RHICs), public health organizations, quality improvement organizations, policymakers, and national partners—to advance collaboration and real-world implementation.
The Sequoia Project Annual Meeting
When: October 28-29, 2026
Where: Lost Pines Resort & Spa, TX
Event Page
Register Now
The Sequoia Project & Carequality 2026 Annual Meeting is the premier gathering of healthcare leaders, policy experts, and technology innovators dedicated to advancing nationwide health data exchange. This two-day event will bring together key stakeholders committed to shaping the future of trusted exchange.
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 and Carequality Annual Meeting 2025
See keynote from CMS DOGE & ASTP Keynote ( Welcome & CMS DOGE & ASTP Keynote | Sequoia & CEQ Annual Meeting 2025 ), trusted exchange (Putting the Trust in Trusted Exchange | Sequoia & CEQ Annual Meeting 2025), CMS-Aligned Networks (CMS Aligned Networks | Sequoia & Carequality 2025 Annual Meeting),and more sessions, speakers and topics.
To review all of the recordings post event and see what everyone is talking about:
- Videos here and scroll down: The Sequoia Project
Designated QHINs as of February 2024
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.