athenahealth vs ICANotes

Founded in 1997 in San Diego and now headquartered in Watertown, Massachusetts, athenahealth provides a cloud-based platform that integrates electronic health records, revenue cycle management, practice operations, and patient engagement tools. Their athenaOne suite combines AI-powered features like ambient documentation, predictive analytics, and automated billing workflows to help providers reduce administrative burden and improve clinical efficiency. The platform also supports telehealth, mobile access, open API integrations, and participation in a national provider network, making it highly adaptable for practices of various sizes and specialties. Athenahealth’s percentage-based pricing model aligns with practice revenue, and their Success Community gives users input into product evolution. While users value its automation and flexibility, some report challenges with implementation, usability, and contract clarity. Still, athenahealth’s broad capabilities and ongoing innovation make it a strong contender for modern, data-driven healthcare delivery.

Founded in 1999 and based in Annapolis, Maryland, ICANotes is an electronic health record system designed exclusively for behavioral health clinicians. They serve psychiatrists, therapists, counselors, and other mental health professionals seeking streamlined, compliant documentation with minimal typing. Their platform includes point-and-click note templates, customizable treatment plans, and integrated tools for assessments, group therapy, and medication management. ICANotes also supports patient tracking, real-time charting, secure messaging, eligibility verification, and telehealth, all accessible online. Their modernized interface, ICANotes+, introduces faster navigation and an updated layout, although it has received mixed feedback during early adoption. Many users appreciate their documentation speed, compliance readiness, and wide array of mental health–specific templates. Others have noted issues with billing processes, mobile limitations, and system reliability during the platform transition. ICANotes offers flexible pricing for full-time and part-time providers, with optional features like telehealth and revenue cycle management. They are fully HIPAA-compliant and ONC-certified, making them a specialized choice for behavioral health professionals. Read our full review to see if their tools and workflows align with your practice’s needs.