What is an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) System?
An Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system is a must have for all healthcare providers, irrespective of the specialty that they belong to. Such a software provides a digital record of patients’ information and hosts tools that provide for a smoother day at work. We compare two EMR systems that are well-trusted and well-recognized in the industry — Athena EMR and NextGen EMR. Know everything from Athena EMR cost to the top feature of NextGen EMR so that you choose the system that is best-suited for your clinical needs.
Athenahealth EMR
Athena EMR is an award-winning provider of medical software that includes a network of more than 160,000 clients. The system further caters to 117 million patients and employs over 6,000 workers. Currently 5 modules are offered (Athena Collector, Athena Coordinator, Athena Clarity, Athena Clinicals, and Athena Communicator) that deal with different functions in a facility. The system offers a competitive cost of $140 per provider per month.
Athenahealth EMR top features
Mobile Application
AthenaOne mobile application lets you manage your operations and provide healthcare on the go. The app can easily be accessed through touch and face ID and one can start operating it as soon as it is installed. A quick overview is provided to users through the app as they are able to view scheduled appointments, messages from patients and review reports. Practitioners can access complete medical records of patients which are updated on a real-time basis.
Interoperability tool
Athenahealth EMR features a strong network that connects to multiple facilities and researchers. Through the interoperability tool, patient diagnosis can be shared with other doctors to get their opinion on what treatment should be provided. This is extremely useful and time-effective when doctors are unsure and require a second opinion. Through this coordinated network, doctors can also know which clinic a patient visited previously.
Digital Records
Athenahealth EMR provides users with a central database where all medical records are stored. These records are updated on a real-time basis after consultations and lab test results. For facilities that were first storing information on paper shouldn’t worry since the in-built scanning feature scans paper charts and converts them into a digital format. The system also tags relevant pictures to a patient’s medical records for understanding past history and future diagnosis.
NextGen EMR
NextGen Healthcare is another award-winning medical software provider that has been in the industry since 46 years. It caters to a clientele of 155,000 caregivers and employs more than 2,700 workers. The company was formed so that it can act as a partner for healthcare providers that supports them along the way.
NextGen EMR top features
Cloud-based EMR
NextGen EMR is hosted on the cloud. The latter means that the system can be accessed from any part of the world and that too at any time. The only catch is that you must have an active internet connection. The system can also be operated from any device. Hence, facilities can save up on the cost of expensive and space consuming hardware. This medical software is HIPAA compliant so users do not need to worry about confidential information being lost to hackers.
Billing and revenue management
NextGen Healthcare simplifies and automates the process of billing and revenue management so that clients have a stronger grip on their financials. Invoices are automatically generated before or after consultations that saves time for the administration. The system thoroughly manages all claims to limit the possibility of denied claims. A follow-up is maintained with patients so that they pay on time.
Telehealth
Our favorite feature of the system is that of telehealth. Medical professionals can provide virtual consultations to patients irrespective of their geographical locations. These virtual chats are of great importance since the ongoing pandemic makes it difficult to physically visit clinics and hospitals. Accompanied with the patient portal, patients can book appointments, pay for expenses online, request for prescription refills and directly communicate with doctors.
Athenahealth EMR vs NextGen EMR: Which is better?
Both Athenahealth EMR and NextGen Healthcare are worth your money. Both medical software's feature advanced tools that not only provide clinical success for the facility that uses it but also augments its financial and operational performances. The final decision that you take regarding which of the two systems to invest in should depend on what you are seeking for an EMR system. If you are looking for a reasonable EMR system then Athena EMR cost might positively surprise you. However, if you are on the hunt for a medical software that will efficiently manage your billing, claims and financials then investing in NextGen EMR will be a better choice.
