When it comes to integrating with EHRs through APIs (Electronic Health Record, Application Programming Interfaces), digital health companies are facing significant challenges that impede their progress toward achieving full interoperability. One of the most notable barriers? A staggering 47% of companies report that high fees associated with accessing an EHR API are a substantial roadblock. This blog breaks down the top barriers to EHR API access that digital health companies are encountering and highlights the importance of open, standardized API solutions.
Key Takeaway: High fees are the number one barrier to accessing EHR APIs , with 47% of digital health companies reporting them as a substantial challenge.
Source: National Library of Medicine
1. High Fees for API Access (47%) Nearly half of digital health companies cite high fees as the primary challenge when integrating with EHR APIs. This financial burden limits innovation, particularly for smaller companies or startups that may lack the resources to pay large sums for data access. The cost of accessing APIs can range from thousands to millions of dollars annually, creating a barrier for many companies seeking to build interoperable health tech solutions. Addressing these fees are companies like Oystehr that provide usage-based pricing with no lengthy contracts or hidden costs.
2. Lack of Realistic Clinical Testing Data (41%) For 41% of digital health companies, a major pain point is the lack of realistic clinical testing data. Without access to accurate, real-world datasets, developers struggle to create, test, and refine their APIs in environments that reflect actual clinical workflows. This hampers the development of solutions that could more effectively meet the needs of healthcare providers and patients alike.
3. Data Elements Not of Interest or Value (40%) Another challenge reported by 40% of companies is that the data elements available through many EHR APIs are often not of interest or value to their use cases. Many APIs lack the flexibility to provide meaningful insights or data that aligns with the specific requirements of digital health applications. This limits the scope of what developers can achieve and creates inefficiencies in data usage.
4. Lack of Standards-Based APIs from Vendors (38%) Interoperability is a major goal in healthcare, but 38% of digital health companies report a lack of standards-based APIs provided by EHR vendors. This is a significant problem because non-standard APIs lead to fragmented systems, increased development time, and greater costs for digital health companies trying to integrate their solutions with various health systems. FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) is one such standard that can solve this issue, but adoption remains slow among some EHR vendors.
5. Difficulty Accessing API Endpoints (35%) More than a third (35%) of companies report difficulty accessing API endpoints. This can occur due to a lack of clear documentation, restricted access provided by the EHR vendor, or technical limitations within the existing infrastructure. If endpoints aren't accessible, it becomes nearly impossible for developers to integrate effectively, limiting the scope of functionality for health apps and software.
6. Lack of Standardized Data Elements (35%) In line with access challenges, 35% of companies face issues with non-standardized data elements. When EHR vendors use inconsistent data formats or schemas, it increases the complexity of data exchange and leads to errors or inefficiencies in healthcare workflows. Standardizing these data elements is crucial for creating cohesive and interoperable systems.
7. Backlogs or Limited Resources to Access Data (32%) Another common challenge (reported by 32%) is the presence of backlogs or limited resources to access critical patient data. This bottleneck often occurs when EHR vendors prioritize large clients, leading to delays in data access for smaller companies. These delays can impact the rollout of new health tech products and restrict innovation within the industry.
8. EHR Vendor Responds Only to Large Clients (32%) Similarly, 32% of companies report that their requests for API integration or support are only answered if they are a large client. Smaller digital health companies often struggle to get the attention of EHR vendors, which slows down their ability to integrate and build upon existing systems.
9. Difficulty Accessing Testing Environments (30%) Testing environments are essential for development, but 30% of respondents say they experience difficulty accessing these environments. Without the ability to test integrations in a sandbox environment, developers face uncertainty about how their solutions will perform in live settings, potentially leading to system failures or unexpected outcomes.
10. Lack of Provider Support for Standards-Based APIs (27%) Finally, 27% of digital health companies report a lack of provider support for standards-based APIs like FHIR. Despite the growing recognition of FHIR as a necessary standard for interoperability, many healthcare providers are slow to adopt these APIs, which stalls the industry’s progress toward seamless data sharing.
These challenges underscore the critical need for open, standardized APIs in healthcare. Platforms like Oystehr, which fully support FHIR R4B and R5 versions, provide solutions to many of these issues by promoting true interoperability, reducing costs associated with proprietary standards, and making it easier for developers to access the data they need. With the right API infrastructure, the industry can move closer to fully integrated healthcare systems that improve patient outcomes, streamline workflows, and foster innovation.
The top barriers facing digital health companies when integrating with EHR APIs—from high fees to lack of standards-based solutions—highlight the urgent need for a shift in how APIs are provided and accessed in the healthcare industry. Addressing these challenges with standardized, open APIs like those supported by Oystehr will pave the way for greater innovation, interoperability, and improved healthcare delivery.
By tackling these substantial issues, digital health companies can work toward building more connected, efficient healthcare systems, and ultimately, a better future for patients and providers alike.
Looking for a scalable pricing option for an API-first health tech platform? Check out our pricing calculator to see if Oystehr is a fit for your business.
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