One common participation framework.
Review the Network Rules and Participation Agreement with your legal, security and implementation teams. The common framework establishes participation, responsibilities, Open Access and individual protections without rebuilding the same underlying agreement for every relationship.
Testing is not accession. You can begin supported synthetic testing before completing production participation. A test account does not itself create Participant status.
Participation is not blanket access. Each interaction remains subject to its supported scope, permissions and operating requirements.
On October 8, 2026, Smart Health Network published Version 1.0 of its common participation framework. The package is the same for every Participant: a standard common framework adopted through accession, not a collection of individually negotiated bilateral contracts.
The documents that establish obligations
Network Rules, Version 1.0 — the common framework: Individual rights and Member Services, governance, Network Trust Services, the Hub’s Six Commitments, qualification and operating responsibilities. Includes Exhibit A (Open Access and Fee Structure), Exhibit B (the initial Transaction Catalog), Exhibit C (Base Service Level Agreement) and the initial Prior Authorization Transaction Specification, Version 1.0.
Network Participation Agreement, Version 1.0 — institutional accession and initial elections, operating choices, the incorporated Business Associate Agreement and Government Program Addendum, optional purchases, information-use limits and responsibility.
Version 1.0 · Published October 8, 2026 · Effective date: as stated in the applicable adoption notice. Version 1.0 is the initial published version; subsequent versions will be maintained under the Network Rules.
The documents that explain
The package also includes a Participant Counsel Orientation Memorandum — a reading guide for legal and compliance teams — and leader memos for health plans, health systems and states, each dated October 8, 2026. These orient readers to the package; they are not a substitute for the operative documents.
What the framework covers
Participation, Network Trust Services and designated Open Access transactions are provided without SHN fees as specified in Exhibit A. The initial Transaction Catalog designates seventeen U.S. Transaction Types as Open Access, beginning with Prior Authorization; the current list is summarized on the Open Access page. Listing does not itself establish that every described capability is operational or that a Participant is qualified or activated to perform it. Additional Services — Enhanced Support, Gateway Management, Network Management, Network Intelligence and Network Orchestration — are optional and separately agreed through a Service Order.
Request the package and discuss accession
Becoming a Participant happens through the Network Participation Agreement: application, SHN approval and countersignature, and acceptance of your Transaction Schedule scope. Testing, operator appointment and sandbox registration do not themselves create Participant status.
What happens after you write: the team sends the complete Version 1.0 package by reply and can arrange a briefing for your legal, security and implementation teams.
Health plans: payers@smarthealthnetwork.org · Providers and health systems: providers@smarthealthnetwork.org · States and public programs: states@smarthealthnetwork.org · HIEs and technology partners: partners@smarthealthnetwork.org
Version 1.0 · Published October 8, 2026. This page summarizes the package; the documents themselves control.