Cerner vs Tebra

Cerner, founded in 1979 and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, is one of the most established names in healthcare IT. Over the decades, they built a comprehensive suite of role-oriented solutions that serve providers, patients, employers, government agencies, and researchers. At the center of their platform is a robust electronic health record (EHR) system that connects clinical documentation, scheduling, patient portals, and education resources. They also provide advanced revenue cycle management, population health tools, and analytics powered by their Lights On Network®, which delivers real-time dashboards and benchmarking.
Beyond clinical and financial functions, Cerner has offered managed services through partnerships with AWS, SaaS products like Cerner Millennium® and Soarian®, and tiered customer support that ranges from help desk services to specialized engineering assistance. Their focus on security and compliance, backed by ISO 9001:2000 certification and an A+ Better Business Bureau accreditation, reflects a long-standing commitment to quality.

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.