Introduction
If you are a physician or someone in practice management, chances are you are in need of a digital medical assistant. Medical software is now widely used all over the world, as the practice of sticking to pen and paper is falling behind.
What is Medical Software?
There is not a single way to define medical software as a lot of falls under the umbrella of this term. However, it can be simply explained as a set of tools and computer programs that are designed for healthcare professionals.
It allows them to manage patient data, offer clinical support in treatment decisions, and manage patient prescriptions to name a few features.
From EMRs to EHRs, there is no shortage of software on the market, making it hard to choose the right one for your practice.
So here we have compiled a list of top 11 medical software from you to choose from.
Epic EHR
Our first pick for the top 11 medical software is Epic EHR. Since its initiation in 1979, Epic has been a pioneer in the healthcare industry. It benefits community hospitals, multi-specialty groups, solo practices, and rehabilitation facilities.
The interoperability of Epic is one of its significant features, along with scalability, making the software an easy first pick. Care Everywhere, the interoperability platform Epic provides, ensures precise information is at the fingertips of medical professionals exactly when they need it.
Features
Epic comes packed with all the other features you may be looking for in an EHR, such as Billing, Reporting, E-prescription Telehealth, Data Management, Automated Claims and Scheduling.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Interoperability
- Integration with other systems
- Smart user interface
Cons:
- Expensive for smaller practices
- Training required to use
- Pricey implementation
Pricing Structure
The actual pricing of Epic EHR is not disclosed, so you have to reach out to Epic for an estimate that is catered to the size of your company and the number of your staff.
Its free demo can be scheduled to have a better look at the software.
Allscripts
Allscripts has officially rebranded as Veradigm, but it is still referred to as Allscripts, as the new name is yet to catch on.
Allscripts aims to facilitate medical practices and hospitals of all sizes. What sets Allscripts apart is that its EHR is exclusive, having no dependency on any products from manufacturers, making it an easy choice for many.
As of now, Allscripts has the following EHRs under its belt:
- Sunrise
- Paragon
- Sunrise Community Care
- Allscripts TouchWorks EHR
- Allscripts Professional EHR
- Practice Fusion
Features
With as many EHR options as Allscripts has to offer, it efficiently provides enough features to reach the goals of any practice. These features include Scheduling, Patient records, E-prescriptions, Telehealth, Patient portals and Billing.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Medical charting templates
- Made for independent practices
Cons:
- No free trial
- The size of the software feels enormous
- Third-party integration with a fee
Pricing Structure
Allscripts lacks pricing structure transparency which may seem like a negative point for some. To get an accurate quote, you can contact Allscripts directly.
Do not forget to schedule its free demo to closely examine how the software works.
Practice Fusion EHR
Practice Fusion is an excellent option for solo and smaller, more specialized health clinics as an ambulatory solution, but that does not mean it doesn’t handle bigger practices well. Its services are for clinical labs, pharmacies, and healthcare facilities.
According to a survey by Reaction Data, Practice Fusion has a high satisfaction rate.
Features
Practice Management, Dashboard, Patient Portal, Billing and Payments are some of the most sought-after features of Practice Fusion.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Free 14-Day trial
- Automatic updates
- Specialists for training provided
- Integrated policy support
Cons:
- No live support chat option
- No application for Android
- Third-party integration with a fee
Pricing Structure
Practice Fusion caters to individual practices and large organizations and can be customized according to the requirements of your practice. It starts at $149 monthly and offers a risk-free trial with no required credit card information.
Cerner EHR
Cerner EMR has maintained its reputation in the industry for the past 40 years and has been mentioned twice in Forbes lists.
Cerner focuses on health information technology solutions and provides services to healthcare organizations across 55 different specializations.
Features
Clearinghouse Integration, Billing Automation, Meaningful Use Reporting, Patient Tracking, Appointment Reminder, and Clinical Data Exchange.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Interoperability
- Advanced analytics packages
- Integration with revenue cycle solutions
Cons:
- No free trial
- Poor access on mobile devices
- Requires training to get the hang of it
Pricing Structure
The starting price of Cerner is $25, which can further be estimated according to your requirements and the size of your practice once you contact Cerner directly.
DrChrono
One of the things that makes DrChrono stand out is that it is the first company to offer an electronic health records (EHR) native app, which gives professionals access to data on their iPhones or iPads.
DrChrono offers medical billing solutions that reduce billing errors and allows medical professionals to streamline their work.
It also got recognition from Forbes as the Best Overall in 2023.
Features
Its highlighted features include Appointment scheduling, Ordering lab testing, Patient charting and E-prescribing.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Ease of use
- Free trial
- Affordable
- Comprehensive support services
Cons:
- Appointment reminders are limited
- Android App not supported
- Customer support is not available via call
Pricing Structure
According to Forbes Advisor, the estimated pricing of DrChrono is $199, but an accurate quote can be attained by speaking to DrChrono representatives.
It offers four pricing plans, Prometheus Plan, Hippocrates Plan, Apollo Plan and Apollo Plus Plan, all offering different benefits.
MEDITECH
If you are looking for interoperable, fully integrated EHR software that aims to simplify and improve patient engagement, then MEDITECH is an excellent choice.
It improves physician satisfaction and allows healthcare professionals to provide efficient services with instant access to all the data they need.
Features
Scheduling, Charting, Revenue management, Documentation, Patient Portal, Population Health, and Care coordination are only some of the many features MEDITECH offers to assist your practice.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Customizable
- Easy to use
- Mobile apps supported for Android and iPhone
Cons:
- No free trial
- System lags frequently
- Add-ons with extra cost
- Migration costs
Pricing Structure
MEDITECH like many big EHR solutions, does not hold transparency of their pricing structure and must be contacted directly for your custom quote depending on the number of people and overall size of your company.
NextGen
Supporting practices of all sizes, NextGen combines financial management and clinical solutions so you can achieve both advantages from one software. It offers seamless integration to practice management.
KLAS has recognized NextGen multiple times over the year as the best-ranked ambulatory software, with the most recent award being granted in 2022.
Features
NextGen’s cloud-integrated EHR offers Population Health Management, Financial Management, Patient Engagement, Scheduling, Clearing House, Billing and much more to increase productivity.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Compatibility with mobile Apps
- Strong data analytics offerings
- HIPAA compliant
- Training and support system
Cons:
- Technical support needed
- Add-ons with a cost
- According to users, it can be unreliable
Pricing Structure
Its pricing structure is not available anywhere. You need to contact NexGen representatives directly for an accurate estimate for your practice.
athenahealth
For improving patient care, athenahealth is a household name. With its services, it is designed to increase financial outcomes and deliver quality care by reducing distractions and time consumed in documentation.
athenahealth has five solutions that aim to assist you: athenaclinicals, athenaCollector, athenaCommunicator, athenaCoordinator, and athenaClarity.
Features
Revenue Cycle Management, Patient record sharing, Dashboards, athenaOne app, Carequality and CommonWell are among the features that make the software popular.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Low monthly pricing
- HIPAA compliant
- Maximized financial outcome
- Best for large practices
Cons:
- Third-party integration requires a fee
- Medical billing tool not added in starting price
- Android App not supported
- No free trial
Pricing Structure
Athenahealth does disclose its pricing tiers, and it can only be revealed if you contact its representative directly to get a quote catered to you.
eClinicalWorks
An integrated cloud-based EHR system, eClinicalWorks offers to improve care efficiency, its priority being the customers. It caters to fifty specialties, including hospitals, surgical, and health centers.
They have received the 2017 HIMSS Davies Award and Frost and Sullivan’s North American Customer Value Leadership Award in revenue cycle management.
Features
Revenue Cycle Management, Patient Engagement, Care Management and Clinical Documentation are some features you may need to run a successful practice.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- HIPAA compliant
- Interoperability
- Clinical templates included
- Search engine dedicated to health information
Cons:
- No free trial
- Third-party integration comes with a cost
- Expensive for small practices
Pricing Structure
It offers the following pricing tiers for you to choose from.
- EHR Only: $449 per month
- EHR with Practice Management: $599 per month
- Additional RCM as a service: 2.9% of practice collections
With both tiers, initial training is included for 1-9 providers, after which additional charges carry.
Azalea Health
Azalea Health is an ambulatory software which is used by mostly large scale hospitals and organizations which helps generate higher revenue and improved quality of healthcare.
It provides real time information to a provider for a more accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Features
It offers a great number of features such as Single Screen Management, Patient Portal, Telehealth, Revenue Cycle Management and Nursing Board.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Ease of scanning documents
- Friendly and intuitive
- Analytical features
Cons:
- No ability to lock sheets
- Glitches according to some users
Pricing Structure
Azalea Health pricing is not made available anywhere, and can only be known after contacting their professionals, where you can get a quote personalized to your practice.
You can schedule their demo for a better understanding of their features.
Valant
For our final and 11th pick, we chose Valant, considering its overall rating and assessment compared to the other software on our list.
Valant stands true to its nature as a psychiatrist developed it. Behavioral health practices have a different way of documenting, scheduling and billing needs. It is designed to aid solo private practices and behavioral health professionals in a group.
Features
Clinical Reporting, Scheduling, Patient Portal, Group therapy, Treatment planning, Telehealth, Group Therapy and eLabs.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Better billing
- Color-coded scheduling
- Structured note templates
Cons:
- No free trial
- No transparency in pricing
- Learning curve expected
Pricing Structure
Being one of the EHR software that lacks transparency with pricing, you cannot find their cost structure online. Get in touch directly with the professionals at Valant for your custom quote.
Conclusion
With all this information at your disposal, you should be able to pick the best medical software for you following our guidelines.
Furthermore, we recommend that regardless of the software you go for, you go through their website individually and carefully, schedule demos and read user reviews before making a final decision.
You will come across a lot of medical software with intriguing features, but it is just as important to look out for its drawbacks as it is to look for their advantages.
Selecting suitable medical software is crucial for any practice or healthcare organization to reap the most benefits and provide the best care for their patients.
