Written by Technical Team | Last updated 31.07.2025 | 6 minute read
For digital health innovators seeking to connect their applications with one of the most widely used electronic health record (EHR) systems in the world, Open.epic offers a crucial gateway. Epic Systems, used by thousands of healthcare organisations globally, has developed Open.epic as a publicly accessible developer portal designed to support secure, standards-based integration. Understanding Open.epic integration is essential for innovators looking to build scalable digital health solutions that can interoperate seamlessly with Epic’s clinical and operational infrastructure.
Open.epic is Epic Systems’ developer platform that provides free access to technical documentation, sandboxes, and interface specifications. Its primary goal is to facilitate interoperability and support the development of apps that can interact with Epic’s EHR environments. Through Open.epic, developers gain access to modern healthcare standards such as HL7 FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources), SMART on FHIR, HL7 v2 and v3 messaging, DICOM for imaging, and other integration methods. This approach ensures that innovators can design solutions aligned with the United States Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI) and other international standards, enabling consistent and reliable data exchange.
Epic reports that billions of patient records are exchanged every year via its Care Everywhere network, and that hundreds of billions of API calls are processed through Open.epic’s web services annually. These figures demonstrate not only the scale of Epic’s interoperability ecosystem but also the opportunities for innovators to connect with one of the most extensive health data infrastructures in the world.
FHIR is the backbone of modern digital health interoperability, and Epic has made it central to Open.epic. Developers can access a wide range of FHIR resources, including Patient, Appointment, Condition, Medication, AllergyIntolerance, DiagnosticReport, and DocumentReference. These resources cover the core elements needed for many patient-centred applications, making them ideal for both provider-facing and patient-facing use cases.
Through Open.epic’s FHIR APIs, applications can perform read operations free of charge, allowing developers to build tools that retrieve real-time patient data. Write capabilities are more limited and typically require additional permissions or licensing. Nevertheless, the read APIs alone provide powerful opportunities for apps focused on decision support, patient engagement, research, and workflow optimisation. By adhering to the SMART on FHIR framework, apps can also be securely launched within Epic’s clinical environment, providing a seamless and context-aware user experience for healthcare professionals.
A key feature of Open.epic integration is its support for SMART on FHIR, an open standard that allows apps to launch inside Epic’s EHR with secure OAuth 2.0 authorisation. This enables context-aware workflows where, for example, a clinician can open an app within their Epic session and have the current patient record automatically passed into the app. This significantly reduces friction, streamlines workflows, and ensures that apps integrate naturally into clinical practice.
To support development, Epic offers the LaunchPad sandbox, a testing environment where developers can simulate SMART on FHIR launches without needing direct access to a live Epic environment. This makes it possible to build and test authentication flows, user experiences, and data retrieval processes before working with a healthcare organisation to connect to their production system.
Beyond FHIR, Open.epic also provides access to a vast range of web services using both SOAP/XML and REST/JSON protocols. These services extend integration beyond patient records into operational and administrative functions such as scheduling, billing, personnel management, location tracking, computer telephony integration, and image exchange. For example, innovators can use web services to manage appointments, track provider availability, or interface with external systems like laboratory information systems or real-time location services.
These broader web service options are particularly valuable for innovators whose applications need to support not only clinical decision-making but also hospital operations, administrative efficiency, or patient flow management. By combining FHIR-based patient data access with operational web services, developers can create truly end-to-end solutions that enhance the entire healthcare delivery experience.
For innovators keen to begin integrating with Open.epic, the first step is to register via Epic’s developer portal. Registration allows access to documentation, sandboxes, and example code. Developers must then create a client ID for their app and request the appropriate scopes to determine which data elements or workflows their app can access.
Once the technical groundwork has been laid, developers can test their app within the LaunchPad sandbox to ensure smooth authentication, secure data handling, and reliable performance. From there, the next step is to work with a healthcare organisation that uses Epic. Because access to live Epic environments is governed by each organisation’s IT and compliance teams, innovators need institutional approval to deploy their apps in production. This collaborative step is crucial, as it ensures that data security, privacy regulations, and clinical workflow integration are fully respected.
Open.epic integration opens the door to a wide array of opportunities. For patient-facing apps, it enables direct data retrieval with patient consent, enhancing engagement and personal health management. For provider-facing apps, it supports embedded workflows that reduce the cognitive and administrative burden on clinicians. It also supports integration with public health registries, payer systems, and research platforms, making it suitable for innovators focused on population health and evidence-based care.
However, there are challenges to consider. While FHIR read access is free, more advanced write operations or large-scale data access may require commercial agreements with Epic or participating healthcare organisations. Additionally, innovators must be mindful that each healthcare provider configures Epic differently, meaning that some endpoints or workflows may vary between sites. Data privacy and security are also paramount, with strict adherence to regulatory standards such as HIPAA in the United States and GDPR in Europe required for compliance.
As healthcare systems worldwide continue to prioritise interoperability, Open.epic is likely to expand its capabilities even further. With increasing emphasis on patient access, digital front doors, and value-based care, demand for integrated apps will only grow. Epic’s continued investment in FHIR and standards-based interoperability ensures that developers who begin working with Open.epic today are well-positioned to scale their solutions globally.
For digital health innovators, Open.epic represents not just a technical platform but a strategic opportunity. By enabling apps to connect securely and effectively with Epic’s vast EHR infrastructure, it provides a pathway to impact millions of patients and clinicians worldwide. The ability to integrate into Epic environments through Open.epic is, therefore, a significant competitive advantage for any digital health innovation seeking widespread adoption.
Open.epic integration is a cornerstone for digital health innovators aiming to build solutions that connect with Epic’s extensive clinical and operational systems. By providing access to FHIR APIs, SMART on FHIR workflows, and a wide range of web services, it empowers developers to create secure, scalable, and impactful health technologies. While challenges such as institutional approval and limited write access remain, the potential rewards in terms of reach, interoperability, and real-world impact are immense. For those serious about driving digital transformation in healthcare, understanding and leveraging Open.epic is an essential step forward.
Is your team looking for help with Epic integration? Click the button below.
Get in touch