2026 Call for Papers Guidelines - 2026 State HIT Connect Summit (February 23-26)
- Section 1: Key Dates, Deadlines, Submission Link
- Section 2: Overview, Track Descriptions
- Section 3: Abstract Evaluation Criteria
- Section 4: Rules of the Road, FAQs
- Section 5: Contact information
Section 1: Key Dates, Deadlines, Submission Link
- Submission Deadline: proposals must be submitted on or before Friday, October 3rd, 2025
- Notification of Acceptance: proposal submitters will be contacted on or before October 26th, 2025
- Submission Link: Abstracts can be submitted and edited ahead of the Friday, October 3rd, 2025 submission deadline here>>.
Section 2: Overview, Track Descriptions
2026 State HIT Connect Conference (In-Person ONLY)
Interoperable. Accountable. Ready.
February 24-26, Hyatt Regency, New Orleans
The 2026 State HIT Connect Conference convenes at a pivotal moment for Medicaid and Health and Human Services (HHS) innovation. Recent federal legislation—including provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has introduced sweeping policy changes impacting eligibility processes, cost-sharing rules, provider payment structures, and IT system requirements. These developments intersect with ongoing modernization efforts, creating both operational challenges and opportunities for strategic alignment.
Concurrently, federal initiatives such as the CMS Health Tech Ecosystem, the rollout of CMS-Aligned Networks, and a sustained emphasis on interoperability, digital identity, and responsible data use point toward a shared vision for more connected, efficient, and person-centered systems.
With the Streamlined Modular Certification (SMC) process continuing to expand through recent CMS updates, states are accelerating efforts in modular procurement, intelligent automation, and value-based systems transformation—navigating shifting federal priorities and fiscal constraints while maintaining modernization momentum.
The expanding role of AI, real-time data exchange, and integrated cross-agency service delivery underscores a broader movement toward systemwide transformation.
Now in its 16th year, the State HIT Connect Conference remains a trusted national platform for state and federal leaders, technologists, policymakers, and innovators to share progress, examine lessons learned, and align strategies that deliver smarter, more equitable health and human services.
2026 Tracks Include:
Track 1: MES Procurement & Value-Based Systems Transformation
Track 2: State Readiness for CMS Health Tech Ecosystem Implementation
Track 3: Person-Centered Intelligence & Enterprise Data Enablement
Track 4: Trust, Program Integrity & Responsible Data Use
Track 5: Modernizing Marketplaces, Managed Care & Benefit Portability
Track 6: AI-Powered Transformation & Intelligent Automation
Track 1: MES Procurement & Value-Based Systems Transformation
Balancing innovation, compliance, and readiness in Medicaid Enterprise Systems modernization
This track explores how states are evolving their Medicaid Enterprise System (MES) strategies to respond to emerging policy requirements, tighter fiscal environments, and ongoing modernization goals. While the Streamlined Modular Certification (SMC) framework emphasizes modularity, flexibility, and outcome-based certification, shifting federal priorities have prompted states to re-evaluate timelines, investment strategies, and module sequencing.
Sessions will examine how agencies are aligning procurement and implementation with both immediate operational demands, such as eligibility redeterminations and provider oversight, and longer-term transformation objectives. This includes approaches to modular contracting, certification readiness, vendor management, and organizational change in an increasingly complex and outcomes-focused landscape.
Core Topics:
- Adaptive MES roadmaps in response to new compliance and policy drivers
- Prioritizing high-impact modules (e.g., eligibility, claims, provider management)
- Strategies for modular contracting and procurement under fiscal constraints
- Certification, testing, and audit readiness amid evolving guidance
- Aligning system investments with measurable health and program outcomes
- Governance structures and change management to support multi-vendor environments
Track 2: State Readiness for CMS Health Tech Ecosystem Implementation
Building the Infrastructure, Partnerships, and Governance to Operationalize a Connected HHS Ecosystem
As CMS launches the Health Tech Ecosystem framework—defining voluntary, standards-based criteria for networks, providers, payers, and digital tools—states are being called upon to assess their readiness, align infrastructure, and establish collaborative governance structures to make real-time, consent-driven health data exchange a reality.
This track focuses on how states are preparing to implement the CMS Health Tech Ecosystem, including network alignment, MES and public health modernization, payer and provider onboarding, and cross-sector governance development. Sessions will explore implementation roadmaps, procurement and policy alignment, and partnerships with CMS, ASTP/ONC, and technology vendors to build scalable, standards-based infrastructure. The track will also examine how states are integrating these efforts with broader Medicaid transformation, Public Health Data Modernization (PHDM), and responsible data use initiatives.
Core Topics:
- Assessing Readiness and Aligning Ecosystem Strategy: Evaluating existing infrastructure, partner capacity, policy alignment, and APD/funding strategies to support CMS Health Tech Ecosystem goals.
- Establishing CMS-Aligned Networks and Core Infrastructure: Designating or building networks (HIEs, HDUs) and modernizing MES and public health systems to support FHIR, TEFCA, USCDI v3, and real-time exchange.
- Coordinating Provider, EHR, and Payer Participation: Engaging providers, EHR vendors, and payers in bidirectional exchange, encounter notifications, and data-sharing standards that enable connected care.
- Implementing Consent, Digital Identity, and Privacy Frameworks: Supporting patient-directed data exchange through standardized identity verification, consent models, and HIPAA-compliant data sharing protocols.
- Governing, Partnering, and Scaling with CMS and Technology Leaders: Building cross-agency governance models, aligning vendor roadmaps, and participating in CMS discovery pilots and innovation partnerships to accelerate implementation.
Track 3: Person-Centered Intelligence & Enterprise Data Enablement
Activating integrated data to support whole-person care and accountability
This track highlights how states are leveraging enterprise data platforms, analytics, and governance frameworks to create longitudinal records, enable predictive insights, and improve service delivery. As agencies implement more frequent eligibility redeterminations and expanded program integrity checks, sessions will focus on how integrated data strategies can support both compliance and person-centered outcomes.
Core Topics:
- Data lake and warehouse strategies for cross-program integration
- Master data management, EMPI, and digital identity infrastructure
- Predictive analytics to support early intervention and risk mitigation
- Cross-agency data governance aligned with audit and reporting needs
- Coordinating with CBOs and local providers through shared data
- Data models to support eligibility automation and service planning
Track 4: Trust, Program Integrity & Responsible Data Use
Building resilient systems through transparency, safeguards, and shared accountability
As oversight expectations evolve, this track explores how states are reinforcing program integrity while protecting data privacy and ensuring responsible use of automation and analytics. With increased scrutiny on provider enrollment, eligibility verification, and system-level compliance, sessions will explore the tools, policies, and cross-agency frameworks needed to uphold trust and reduce risk at scale.
Sub-Track A: Program Integrity
- Automating eligibility redeterminations and provider screening
- Strategies for death record verification and disenrollment workflows
- Fraud analytics in managed care and state-run programs
- Collaborative oversight across Medicaid, HHS, and external entities
Sub-Track B: Privacy & Security
- Privacy-preserving data exchange and consent models
- Securing sensitive data within TEFCA- and FHIR-based architectures
- Risk-based AI governance and ethical use policies
- Aligning security, HIPAA, and data sharing strategies
Track 5: Modernizing Marketplaces, Managed Care & Benefit Portability
Designing integrated coverage systems that prioritize continuity and choice
This track focuses on aligning systems and policies to support seamless transitions across Medicaid, CHIP, and Marketplace programs. With changes to retroactive coverage rules and increased churn, states are modernizing their eligibility platforms, plan selection tools, and managed care oversight to ensure a more consistent and equitable consumer experience.
Core Topics:
- Real-time eligibility determination and plan comparison platforms
- Coordinated data sharing between SBMs, Medicaid, and MCOs
- Addressing churn through automation and targeted outreach
- Benefit portability and enrollment continuity across life events
- Member education, digital literacy, and self-service enablement
- Quality measurement and network adequacy monitoring
Track 6: AI-Powered Transformation & Intelligent Automation
Operationalizing AI and automation to enhance capacity and reduce burden
This track explores how states are deploying automation and AI to modernize operations, streamline eligibility and casework, and improve decision support. Sessions will spotlight real-world use cases across Medicaid and HHS programs, from virtual assistants and intelligent routing to generative AI for policy summarization—while emphasizing transparency, accountability, and responsible innovation.
Core Topics:
- Intelligent automation for eligibility, redeterminations, and appeals
- AI-powered tools for provider screening and fraud detection
- Conversational AI and virtual agents in member communications
- Generative AI for summarizing rules, policy, and training materials
- Establishing AI governance boards and bias mitigation strategies
- Scaling from pilot to enterprise adoption with measurable ROI
Section 3: Abstract Evaluation Criteria
Speaking Proposals will be evaluated along the following criteria by members of our Program Planning Advisory Board.
● Will the topic/data included in the proposal be appropriate/timely (in the context of current and pending legislation, regulations, and technology) at the conference dates (April 2-4, 2024)?
● Does the proposal include valuable/practical insights relevant to the topic (will there be sufficient education/data presented around states implementing technology and lessons learned)?
● Are end-users (Medicaid, HIE, Payer, Federal etc) presenters included and taking a prominent role in the presentation? (end-users should lead presentations, vendor representation should be in the background)
● Are these insights supported by guidelines or models that can be used by attendees to better manage projects and/or implementations?
● Multiple Perspectives. Does the proposal include multiple/diverse perspectives on the topic?
● Originality. Has the material been presented elsewhere where attendees may have been present? The topic is likely to be covered in a few venues prior to April.
● Experience. Do proposed speakers have sufficient experience to support the topic?
● Product/vendor commercials are avoided?
*Although there is no official word count limit, 3-400 words is the optimal submission length for submitted speaking proposals.
Section 4: Rules of the Road, FAQs
- Abstract Grading Process: Submitted abstracts are graded through our state representative program advisory board for acceptance onto the program according to the abstract grading criteria above. Abstracts that receive a high score are contacted to discuss the session details prior to being 100% accepted onto the meeting agenda.
- Speaker Confirmation: Whilst we understand that it can be difficult to 100% confirm speakers to travel to present at the conference, please do check in with included presenters regarding their intent, and availability to be at the conference in person as part of your abstract submission preparations. We will check in with all accepted abstract coordinators regarding state team availability before allocating a session on the program.
- Speaker registration: All session speakers are required to register to attend the meeting. Government, HIE, HIX, Payers, and Providers are able to access complimentary registration/State HIT Connect Community membership. Vendors, Consultants are required to register for the annual meeting, and will also be provided with an annual membership to the State HIT Connect Community.
- Merged abstracts: When multiple abstracts on a topic are provided with positive input through our grading process, we may select to merge abstracts into a single session and evolve the format to a panel group with multiple state speakers, and projects represented. In this scenario, the vendor representative may or may not be included in the session panel group. This will be clearly communicated as part of the abstract acceptance process.
Please email any questions regarding the abstract submission, and evaluation process to Rob Waters, Program Director, State HIT Connect.