An article from the New England Journal of Medicine discusses the next chapter of interoperability in healthcare. In 2026, interoperability will become an operational mandate after a decade of work on concepts such as meaningful use[1]. Health systems are transitioning from waiting for CMS guidance to implementing compliance plans for the 2027 deadline[1]. Payer-provider relationships are being transformed into interconnected ecosystems with transparency and shared responsibility[1]. Interoperability enables real-time data sharing, reduces duplicate tests and improves care through standards such as FHIR[2][3][4]. Patients gain access to full records, which encourages their active participation[2]. CMS launched an initiative with more than 60 companies to simplify data sharing by the first quarter of 2026[5]. Progress depends on the cooperation of stakeholders and platforms such as HIE[3].