Interoperability

Data segmentation and computable consent help protect sensitive information while enabling more equitable interoperability, explains Cambridge Health Alliance's Dr. Hannah Galvin, a HIMSS26 Health Equity Changemaker Awardee.

A second version release is now being planned and defined, according to the Australian Digital Health Agency.

Healthcare leaders are under increasing pressure to unify fragmented data and turn it into meaningful clinical, operational, and financial impact. Yet siloed systems and data complexity continue to stand in the way.

With the VA Interoperability Pledge, Veteran Confirmation API and other efforts, the agency has improved cross-sector collaboration, coordinating care and benefits for more than 1 million veterans, said speakers at HIMSS26.

The agency wants to engage with health systems, vendors and others to develop data exchange solutions that can connect veterans to community-based benefits, says Dr. Jonathan Nebeker, CMIO at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Nationwide coordination and European Commission funding are helping Italy to shift from fragmented regional healthcare to a single digitized strategy, says HIMSS Board Chair Elena Sini, group CIO at GVM Care and Research.

The 2026 HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition was filled with sessions and exhibits on AI, interoperability and other hot healthcare topics. Attendees share their learnings.

The CMS Health Technology Ecosystem will provide a single patient access point powered by modern identity systems, says Amy Gleason of U.S. DOGE Service and CMS. This will replace portal logins and enable seamless data sharing.

Most providers say having the majority of their payers support the Prior Authorization API requirements is extremely important.

The new Microsoft Copilot Health, which will be available through a phased rollout, is aimed at helping people better understand their health records and wearable data through AI analysis.