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Getting Started with Provider Directory API

The CareConnect Provider Directory API provides public access to payer network information including healthcare providers, organizations, locations, and insurance plans. This guide will help you get started quickly.

What is the Provider Directory API?​

The Provider Directory API is a FHIR R4-based service that allows applications to:

  • Discover healthcare providers in insurance networks
  • Find provider locations and contact information
  • Access insurance plan details and coverage areas
  • Verify provider-organization relationships
  • Locate healthcare services by specialty or geography

Key Features:

  • No Authentication Required - Publicly accessible endpoints
  • FHIR R4 Compliant - Standard healthcare data format
  • Real-time Data - Current provider network information
  • Geographic Search - Location-based provider discovery

Before You Start​

Prerequisites​

  • Basic understanding of REST APIs
  • Familiarity with JSON data format
  • Knowledge of FHIR concepts (helpful but not required)

What You'll Need​

  1. Provider Directory Base URL - Discover available endpoints using the Service Base URL documentation
  2. API Testing Tool - We recommend Postman or curl
  3. FHIR Resource Knowledge - Review the resource documentation for data structures

Quick Start Workflow​

Step 1: Discover Available APIs​

curl -X GET https://fhir.netsmartcloud.com/brand/brands.json

Look for endpoints containing /payer/provider-directory/ in the response. Only payer tenants will have Provider Directory endpoints available.

Step 2: Check Server Capabilities​

curl -X GET https://fhir.netsmartcloud.com/payer/provider-directory/v2/{tenant-id}/metadata \
    -H "Accept: application/fhir+json"

This returns a CapabilityStatement showing supported resources and operations.

Step 3: Search for Organizations​

curl -X GET "https://fhir.netsmartcloud.com/payer/provider-directory/v2/{tenant-id}/Organization?_count=5" \
    -H "Accept: application/fhir+json"

Step 4: Get Specific Organization Details​

curl -X GET https://fhir.netsmartcloud.com/payer/provider-directory/v2/{tenant-id}/Organization/{organization-id} \
    -H "Accept: application/fhir+json"

Common Use Case Examples​

Find Providers by Specialty​

Search for cardiologists in California:

curl -X POST https://fhir.netsmartcloud.com/payer/provider-directory/v2/{tenant-id}/Practitioner/_search \
    -H "Accept: application/fhir+json" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded" \
    -d "specialty=207RC0000X&address-state=CA&_count=10"

Find Locations by City​

Search for provider locations in Sacramento:

curl -X GET "https://fhir.netsmartcloud.com/payer/provider-directory/v2/{tenant-id}/Location?address-city=Sacramento&_count=10" \
    -H "Accept: application/fhir+json"

Find Healthcare Services​

Search for mental health services:

curl -X POST https://fhir.netsmartcloud.com/payer/provider-directory/v2/{tenant-id}/HealthcareService/_search \
    -H "Accept: application/fhir+json" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded" \
    -d "service-category=394913002&_count=10"

Understanding the Response​

All successful requests return FHIR Bundle resources containing:

{
  "resourceType": "Bundle",
  "type": "searchset",
  "total": 25,
  "entry": [
    {
      "resource": {
        "resourceType": "Organization",
        "id": "org-123",
        "name": "Example Healthcare System",
        "type": [
          {
            "coding": [
              {
                "system": "http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/organization-type",
                "code": "prov",
                "display": "Healthcare Provider"
              }
            ]
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  ]
}

Next Steps​

Interactive Testing​

Explore Resources​

Advanced Topics​

Need Help?​