EHR software selection in 2026 involves specific criteria. Five that matter most.
1. FHIR API completeness. Verify with Inferno.
**2. SMART on FHIR support.**
**3. US Core conformance.**
**4. Bulk data export.**
5. Terminology binding depth.
Evaluation matrix
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| FHIR completeness | High |
| SMART support | High |
| US Core | High |
| Bulk data | Medium |
| Terminology | Medium |
Red flags
1. Custom auth vs. SMART. 2. Unversioned US Core. 3. Sync-only bulk export. 4. Manual terminology. 5. Custom profile requirements.
Reference-check questions
1. Time from purchase to production? 2. CMS-0057 compliance level? 3. Inferno failures? 4. Vendor profile update handling? 5. Support quality?
Common selection mistakes
1. Feature-list purchasing. 2. Ignoring conformance. 3. Custom auth acceptance. 4. No bulk data verification. 5. Weak terminology governance.
Vendor state (mid-2026)
| EHR | FHIR | SMART | US Core | Bulk | Terminology |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epic | Full | Full | Full | Full | Full |
| Cerner | Full | Full | Full | Full | Full |
| Athenaclinicals | Full | Full | Full | Full | Partial |
| Meditech | Growing | Full | Partial | Partial | Growing |
| Aidbox-based | Full | Full | Full | Full | Full |
EHR selection is a five-year commitment. Match criteria to real needs, not marketing polish.