Examines the growing adoption of Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) by U.S. benefit providers, driven largely by regulatory mandates from CMS and ONC stemming from the 21st Century Cures Act.

It explains how FHIR, with its modern API-based approach, offers significant benefits like enhanced patient data access, streamlined prior authorizations, and improved analytics for value-based care.

However, the transition faces considerable challenges, including technical complexities, high costs, integration with legacy systems like ANSI X12 834, and a shortage of skilled professionals.

While ANSI 834 remains critical for enrollment due to its HIPAA mandate, the text emphasizes FHIR's increasing role as the foundational standard for a more interoperable and patient-centric healthcare ecosystem, with key compliance deadlines extending to 2027.