The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is preparing for a major healthcare technology milestone. CMS will host its seventh annual CMS & Health Level Seven International Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (HL7 FHIR) Connectathon from July 14–16, 2026. This virtual event will bring together some of the brightest minds in health data interoperability. Together, they will test, learn, and innovate around FHIR-based solutions in real-world healthcare systems.
What Is the CMS FHIR Connectathon?
A Collaborative Forum for Interoperability Leaders
The CMS FHIR Connectathon is an annual virtual gathering. It unites healthcare interoperability leaders, technical implementers, and innovators from across the industry. Participants engage in hands-on testing of FHIR-based tools and solutions. Moreover, they explore how CMS policies translate into practical, real-world health IT systems.
FHIR — Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources — is the modern standard for exchanging electronic health information. Furthermore, it plays a central role in advancing seamless data sharing between providers, payers, and patients. Each year, the Connectathon offers a structured space to measure progress and resolve implementation challenges.
Event Details: Dates, Format, and Access
July 14–16, 2026 | Virtual Format
The 2026 Connectathon runs across three days — July 14, 15, and 16. CMS will host the event entirely online. As a result, participants across the United States can join without travel barriers.
Additionally, CMS has confirmed that full registration details and a complete agenda will be released in the coming weeks. Stakeholders who want early updates or have specific questions can reach the CMS interoperability team directly at CMSInteroperability@cms.hhs.gov.
Who Should Attend the Connectathon?
Built for Implementers, Innovators, and Policy Leaders
This event targets a diverse audience. First, health IT implementers who are building or testing FHIR-compliant systems will find immense value in the hands-on sessions. Second, policy leaders can observe how CMS rules are being operationalized across real-world platforms. Third, innovators and health tech vendors can benchmark their solutions against peer systems.
Importantly, the Connectathon is not just a conference. It is an active testing environment. Attendees collaborate, troubleshoot, and refine their FHIR implementations in real time. Therefore, those working in electronic health records, claims data exchange, and patient access APIs should prioritize registration.
Why FHIR Interoperability Matters in 2026
Driving Real-World Impact Through Standardized Data Exchange
Healthcare data fragmentation remains a critical challenge. Consequently, FHIR standards have become the backbone of U.S. health data policy. CMS mandates around FHIR-based APIs — including patient access, provider directory, and payer-to-payer data exchange — continue to reshape how organizations handle health information.
The annual Connectathon directly supports these mandates. It gives the industry a dedicated space to validate compliance, identify gaps, and share solutions. Additionally, each iteration builds institutional knowledge that advances the broader goal of a connected, interoperable U.S. healthcare system.
How to Register and Stay Updated
Registration and Agenda Coming Soon
CMS has not yet released the official registration link. However, interested participants should monitor CMS announcements closely in the coming weeks. Organizations can also reach out proactively by emailing CMSInteroperability@cms.hhs.gov to express interest or request early access to agenda details.
The Bigger Picture: CMS and Health Data Exchange
Building Toward a Connected Healthcare Ecosystem
The seventh Connectathon arrives at a pivotal moment. CMS has steadily expanded its interoperability initiatives, including the launch of a digital health ecosystem featuring public-private partnerships with major health tech stakeholders. Therefore, this year’s event carries added significance.
Notably, parallel regulatory activity — including the finalization of HIPAA transaction standards for healthcare attachments — reinforces the urgency of FHIR adoption. Thus, the Connectathon serves both as a milestone marker and as a practical accelerator for industry-wide progress.
Health systems, payers, vendors, and policy teams should treat participation as a strategic priority. Together, attendees can help shape how FHIR evolves — and ensure their organizations stay ahead of compliance timelines.
