Electronic Health Records (EHR) Software Companies

Buyers Guide

Last updated: June 04, 2023

Guide to buying EMR from top EHR Companies 

EHR software allows clinicians to build a digital version of a patient's medical record. Top EHR firms, on the other hand, have increased the capabilities of EMRs from simple note-taking modules to an analytical and decision-support system that helps clinicians offer better healthcare since its beginnings. 

EHR and EMR software are usually used interchangeably, but does that mean they’re the same? Not exactly. Here’s the difference between an EHR software and an EMR software. 

EHR Software - Benefits 

Here are a few advantages of electronic health records (EHR) over paper-based records: 

• It saves you time with automated functions. An effective EHR software helps physicians simplify, streamline, and even automate their workflows, giving them more time to focus on their patients.
• It makes reporting quick and easy, allowing for faster diagnosis.
• It allows ease of access to patient records and information.
• Because data is not copied physically, digital documentation is clean, readable, and has fewer human mistakes.
• It is a repository for medical databases (e.g., accessible medicines) and patient education, both of which are useful tools for clinicians.
• EMRs that include patient portals make it easier to communicate with patients.
• It improves coordinated care. Better coordinated care is heavily dependent on system interoperability, which is exactly what an EHR software brings to your table.

In the United States alone, there are hundreds of EHR firms in operation. However, not all of them fulfil the government's technical criteria for providing better and safer treatment. As a result, it is critical to only utilise Top EMR software that has been certified by government regulatory authorities. 

What is a Certified EHR? 

If you are a Medicare or Medicaid participating physician, you will almost certainly want certified electronic health record software. A certified EHR is one that has been approved by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology Authorized Testing and Certification Bodies (ONC-ATCB) for satisfying the structured data requirements established by CMS and ONC. 

The most recent list of certified Top EHR suppliers may be found here. 

These qualifications might be difficult to comprehend at times. You must ask the following certification-related questions to EHR companies: 

Is the entire EHR program certified, or only specific modules? Are there any guarantees? Companies like athenahealth, eClinicalWorks, Heathland, and AdvancedMD provide assurances to their clients for meeting all regulatory requirements in time. 

Finding the right EHR Partner 

Before you begin your software purchasing journey, you must first identify your requirements. It entails taking stock of your practice's financial and logistical situation. The next sections will go over some of the first phases in the purchasing decision-making process. 

Begin by answering a few questions about the entity for whom the software is required. 

What kind of EHR Partner are you looking for? 

With so many EHR businesses to choose from, not all of them will meet your medical specialization or business size. Some manufacturers, for example, exclusively provide software for outpatient and ambulatory care settings, whilst others also provide inpatient capabilities. 

Small Practices 

It is a medical practice with one or less than five physicians. Most users are either abandoning paper to fulfill regulatory standards or upgrading their existing EMR system to something better. The majority of these offices do not have a large number of employees or IT support. As a result, an ideal EMR software for them would be one that does not need a great degree of hands-on IT assistance. It should also aid in the automation of most functions inside the company, eliminating the need for additional personnel. 

An EMR that offers both monthly subscription and per visit billing models would be an excellent fit, especially because this practice is young and does not anticipate a high patient volume right away. Software suppliers such as AdvancedMD EMR may be a suitable choice because they offer a variety of pricing options for smaller practices. 

Medium Practices 

These practices often employ 6-25 physicians. Aside from wanting to enhance productivity, most such customers are searching for a system that can cater to a variety of specializations. A free system would not function in this situation since the amount of customization necessary would not be accessible. 

These practices also seek software that is scalable and can be used in various places. 

Because adopting a new system is expensive, the purchase path for medium to large firms is lengthier. 

Large Practices 

Larger practices, like their midsize counterparts, are often long-term customers seeking for a system that will sustain the company for a long period. To manage such an institution, there are more than a dozen physicians on staff, as well as a large number of support workers. 

EMR purchasers can also be classified as first-time buyers or practices wanting to replace their current system. Here are a few more criteria that apply to them. 

Are you a first-time buyer or looking to replace your EMR? 

If you are a first-time EMR customer or a new practice owner, you must ensure that you have access to both software and hardware support. The gear you choose should be compatible with the needs of your new EMR software, or vice versa.  

If you do not want to hire a full-time IT worker, there are several third-party managed IT services that may assist you in this period. During the onboarding process, several EMR providers additionally provide these IT support services to their clients. 

Before selecting an EMR firm for your clinic, make sure to discuss it with possible suppliers. 

Are You Involved in a Specialty Field? 

The requirements of a specialist practice differ from those of primary care. To begin, they require a variety of templates, treatment plans, equipment, and lab connections. A family medicine practice requires distinct templates from other experts, such as psychologists. Most EMR providers provide a basic system that may be tailored to various specializations. Some suppliers specialize in a single product or service. The degree of specialist content required by your institution will determine which of these will work best for you. 

Please bear in mind that EMR fees will vary according on the specialty. EHR software for cardiology, oncology, and dermatology offices, for example, is typically more expensive than other items since they require complicated workflow management. 

What Support Do You Need from the EHR Companies? 

The quantity of assistance you'll require will also be determined by your size. Not all organisations have full-time IT personnel. Choose one that includes external aid or assistance from the service provider for training, installation, troubleshooting, and more—24/7 if feasible. 

It's worth noting that this element has a monetary influence as well: if it's not already included in their regular package, it may get rather pricey. 

What features do you need? 

Examine your selections based on these criteria to discover which is the best. Remember that relevance to your setup should always be your starting point. According to studies, 75 percent of software features are never used. That implies you'll lose money if you buy a complex application with features you don't require. 

Here are a few that should be at the top of your priority list. 

Integration: You don't want to recreate the wheel if you're currently using multiple applications. Check to see if the EMR you choose can be linked with your hospital or practice management system.   

Deployment: The deployment strategy you pick is just as essential as the EMR firm you hire. Each choice has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. There are two primary choices to consider, a Web-based/Cloud-based EHR software and an on-premise EHR software. 

Security: To keep data safe and secret, both your patients and the authorities demand high-quality security measures. To begin, you'll need software that provides dynamic encryption services. Unauthorized parties or hackers should not be able to access information, regardless of whether they are kept or used by any third-party app. 

User-Friendly Design: Of course, you want a seamless implementation process for the sake of your employees. Despite the fact that EMR service providers often give training, a user-friendly, intuitive interface is an indication of a quality product that was built with the customer in mind.