CMS Health Tech Ecosystem 101: Aligning Infrastructure, Policy & Partnerships for 2026 Readiness

This foundational session will walk participants through CMS’s Health Tech Ecosystem framework, explore what it means to become a CMS-Aligned Network, and unpack how states can begin aligning policy, infrastructure, and funding to support implementation. Panelists will share early readiness strategies and how they’re coordinating MES, public health, and interoperability modernization with CMS guidance.

Topics include:

• Overview of CMS Health Tech Ecosystem categories and voluntary criteria

• Readiness assessments: evaluating infrastructure, policy, APDs, and capacity

• The role of HIEs, HDUs, and state networks in becoming CMS-Aligned

• Aligning MES/public health modernization with FHIR, TEFCA, and USCDI v3

• Working with CMS through discovery pilots and technical assistance

• Early coordination between Medicaid, public health, and vendor partners