Key Factors: What to Consider When Choosing an EHR Software

Pricing & Total Cost of Ownership

Cost is frequently the primary factor for health care practices. In addition to the monthly subscription fee, it is essential to consider expenses related to implementation, training, and any potential downtime during the installation process. Generally, practices allocate approximately $1,200 annually per user for electronic health record (EHR) software in the United States.

When assessing different options, prioritize transparency in pricing. Some vendors charge a monthly fee per provider, while others take a percentage of revenue collected. A budget-friendly option is Azalea Health, which offers tiered packages tailored to practice size and needs, with transparent pricing available upon request. Their plans include essential EHR features, support, and the flexibility to add advanced tools or integrations as needed.

Recommendation: Opt for Azalea Health if your primary concern is affordability paired with transparency, as it provides an accessible entry point for clinics and rural practices looking to adopt a cloud-based EHR.

Data Security & Privacy

Healthcare data breaches incur significant expenses, averaging around $10.93 million per data breach in 2023. Safeguarding patient data is essential not just for regulatory adherence but also for sustaining patient safety, trust, and information security.

It is advisable to choose an EHR system that incorporates safeguards compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), such as encryption, secure login protocols, and audit trails to protect patient information. 

Certifications like those from the Health Information Trust Alliance (HITRUST) or System and Organization Controls (SOC 2) indicate that the vendor adheres to rigorous security standards. Athenahealth exemplifies high standards by achieving HITRUST certification and offering Electronic Prescriptions for Controlled Substances (EPCS) that comply with Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regulations.

Recommendation: Go with Athenahealth if your top priorities are security and compliance.

Regulatory Compliance

Certified Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are essential for qualifying for Medicare programs' regulatory requirements and assist practices in avoiding penalties. By 2021, approximately 80% of physicians and 96% of hospitals had implemented EHRs certified by the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for Health Information Technology.

It is advisable to seek EHRs with ONC 2015 Edition certification, as this assures the inclusion of functionalities such as e-prescribing, patient access, and quality reporting. Athenahealth holds complete certification under the 2015 Edition and complies with federal reporting requirements, including the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). 

Recommendation: Choose Athenahealth if you require a system that ensures compliance with all ONC and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) standards.

Interoperability & Data Exchange

Without the exchange of data, patients often undergo redundant testing and experience incomprehensive care. Studies show that 40% of users of Epic, NextGen, Athenahealth, and Cerner avoided duplicate testing due to enhanced interoperability and care coordination.

When evaluating different vendors, it is essential to check for their support of Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) APIs, direct messaging, and involvement in networks such as Carequality or CommonWell. Epic is notable for having the largest number of connections to third-party applications and national networks, including Care Everywhere.

Recommendation: If efficient data sharing and national reach are vital for your practice, consider choosing Epic.

Billing & Revenue Cycle Management

Nearly 20% of claims are rejected, with 60% of those not being resubmitted. Such denials and delays result in substantial revenue loss for practices, highlighting the importance of effective billing tools in a healthcare organization. Key features to consider include claim scrubbing, eligibility verification, and denial management. For eight consecutive years, NextGen Healthcare has been recognized by Black Book Research as the leading provider in practice management, owing to its robust revenue cycle tools.  

Recommendation: Select NextGen if your primary objective is to enhance collections and minimize claim denials.

Telehealth Integration

Telehealth usage surged dramatically during the pandemic, increasing from 15% before 2020 to 87% in 2021. Patients have come to expect video consultations as a standard aspect of their healthcare.

It is essential to choose an EHR that seamlessly incorporates telehealth alongside scheduling, documentation, and billing processes to ensure quality of care. DrChrono offers HIPAA-compliant telehealth services directly within its EHR platform, simplifying the management of video visits to be as straightforward as handling in-person appointments.

Recommendation: Pick DrChrono if you prefer telehealth capabilities integrated into your daily workflow.

Patient Engagement & Portals

By 2022, 60% of patients accessed their medical records online, marking a significant rise compared to 2020. Tools for engagement, such as portals and reminders, enhance patient care outcomes and decrease the rate of missed appointments. 

Robust systems provide features like secure messaging, prescription refill requests, access to lab results, and options for bill payment. Athenahealth stands out in this area with its athenaCommunicator and athenaPatient applications, which integrate secure communication, reminders, and alerts for care gaps.

Recommendation: Choose Athenahealth if prioritizing patient engagement and retention is high on your list.

Mobile Access & Apps

Flexibility is crucial for healthcare providers with demanding schedules. As of 2015, more than half (52%) of outpatient physicians utilized mobile devices for managing patient records, and this trend has continued to rise. 

An effective mobile EHR system should enable you to document, prescribe, and access records from any location, optimizing clinical workflows. For a decade, DrChrono has consistently been recognized by physician practices as the leading mobile EHR vendor, attributed to its iPad-centric design and comprehensive mobile application.

Recommendation: Opt for DrChrono if mobile accessibility and on-the-go efficiency are essential for your practice.

Conclusion

Choosing the appropriate EHR is not simply a matter of opting for the system with the most extensive list of features; it involves identifying the one that aligns best with your specific requirements. 

• Affordability: Azalea Health is an excellent option to consider
• Billing: NextGen demonstrates a reliable history in this area  
• Compliance and patient engagement: Athenahealth stands out for its capabilities  
• Large-scale interoperability: Epic is at the forefront in this domain
• Mobility and telehealth: DrChrono is a leading choice

By concentrating on these essential aspects, you can select an EHR that effectively supports your team, enhances patient engagement, and maintains the financial stability of your practice.

When assessing EHR solutions, it is crucial to align the features of each platform with the unique requirements of your practice. Our reviews of leading systems provide insights into their effectiveness in practical scenarios. Additionally, you can utilize our comparison tool to analyze your preferred options alongside one another, and explore our educational articles for further details regarding features and costs. Ultimately, selecting the appropriate EHR involves finding a balance between functionality, expenses, and support to ensure that the system meets your objectives and fits the operations of your practice.