Why Interoperability Fails in U.S. Healthcare Systems With: Jordan Johnson, MSHA
Jordan Johnson, MSHA, Founder of Bridge Oncology, brings clarity to a commonly misunderstood term in healthcare: interoperability. In this conversation, Johnson examines the complex and fragmented systems in oncology and broader healthcare delivery that make true interoperability elusive. He distinguishes between system-level and data-level challenges, showing how mismatched information pipelines—from EMRs to payer systems—create serious cost transparency issues and care delivery disparities. With real-world examples, Johnson outlines how a lack of standardization impacts everything from pharmacy formularies to payer decision-making. His policy-informed, operations-savvy perspective reveals why interoperability is not just a technical issue, but a core challenge to equitable care and financial accountability.
Episode Contents:
About the Guest
Jordan Johnson is the Founder and Principal of Bridge Oncology. A healthcare data expert, Johnson bridges financial, operational, and policy perspectives to improve provider viability and patient access to care. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-johnson-msha-m-jurr-mls-7bb49441/
Key Takeaways
- Standardization is essential to eliminate data loss across systems.
- Interoperability gaps create economic toxicity in care.
- Formulary changes often go unnoticed due to poor data flows.
Transcript Summary
What does interoperability mean in the context of oncology and healthcare?
Interoperability spans multiple domains—from staff coordination to technology systems. In oncology, it involves system-to-system connections, EMRs, third-party tools, and more. Johnson describes it as the framework that allows disparate elements to connect efficiently and accurately to improve care delivery.
How does poor interoperability impact costs and patient care?
Johnson explains that lack of standardization leads to spillage and disparity, especially in pharmacy and payer workflows. For example, outdated formulary data can leave providers and patients unaware of crucial changes, leading to delays, incorrect dosing, or unexpected costs.
Why is interoperability a policy and financial issue, not just a tech one?
Johnson points out that fragmented systems were built in an era without visibility. Now that data transparency is possible, the inconsistencies are more apparent—and costly. Standardization efforts like CMS price transparency are revealing systemic gaps that directly affect patient outcomes and provider economics.
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- AI and Medical Innovation
- Healthcare Ethics and Policy
- AI in Patient Care
- AI in the Healthcare Industry
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