athenahealth vs Tebra

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.

Tebra, formed from the 2021 merger of Kareo and PatientPop, offers an all-in-one, cloud-based EHR and practice management platform tailored for independent healthcare providers. Their suite includes AI-assisted charting, telehealth, automated billing, and patient engagement tools like online scheduling and reputation management. Notable features such as “Same-as-Last-Time” (SALT) documentation and robotic process automation aim to streamline workflows and reduce administrative burdens. The platform is ONC-certified and HIPAA-compliant, emphasizing security and compliance. Tebra’s flexible pricing model, with no long-term contracts, appeals to small practices seeking scalability. However, their user reviews are mixed, with many commending their intuitive interface and efficiency, while others report challenges with customer support and occasional system downtimes. Despite some criticisms, Tebra maintains a strong presence in the market, serving over 150,000 providers and managing 190 million patient records. For independent practices aiming to modernize operations without sacrificing affordability, Tebra presents a compelling option. However, potential users should weigh their strengths against reported service inconsistencies. A thorough evaluation, including a demo and consultation, is recommended to determine their fit for specific practice needs.