Healthcare practices increasingly rely on technology to enhance patient care and optimize practice operations.
A majority of organizations are adopting electronic medical records (EMR) software to keep up with the evolving healthcare landscape. Choosing the right EHR and practice management software, however, can significantly impact a practice's efficiency.
This is where AdvancedMD and DrChrono come into play—two major contenders that have the potential to revolutionize how practices manage both administrative and clinical tasks.
Yet, deciding between the two can be overwhelming. This article offers a detailed comparison between AdvancedMD and DrChrono to help you navigate their key differences.
Head-On Comparison
AdvancedMD has earned its reputation as an extensive and reliable EHR platform designed to meet the needs of larger practices.
Its advanced features, including revenue cycle management and customizable reporting, make it ideal for practices that handle high patient volumes.
The software also holds ONC-ACB certification, which means it meets the standards set by the U.S. government for developing an effective healthcare compliance program that promotes secure patient information exchange.
On the other hand, DrChrono is a mobile-first EMR platform, designed for medical practices. Its ease of use, especially on iPads and iPhones makes it a favorite among providers who prefer mobility and simplicity in practice management. While DrChrono also offers strong billing, telemedicine, and patient engagement tools, its interface is simplified, which makes it easy for smaller teams to adapt and use quickly.
AdvancedMD and DrChrono: At A Glance
Feature
AdvancedMD
DrChrono
Electronic Health Records (EHR)
Customizable templates across multiple specialties
Charting, note-taking, and patient scheduling with advanced automation features
Mobile-First EHR
Highly adaptable templates and workflows for different specialties
Practice Management
Multi-location scheduling with patient reminders, waitlist management, and telemedicine integration
Easy scheduling optimized for mobile devices and desktops
Telemedicine
Fully integrated with patient records and scheduling, allowing video consultations
A simple interface for video calls and secure consultations
Revenue Cycle Management (RCM)
Complete RCM services, such as coding and billing
Medical E-payments
Automated claims scrubbing and denial management
Simplified RCM tools with billing services and automated claims submission
Integrated with credit card processing for faster patient payments
Patient Portal
Advanced patient engagement
Accessible health records, bills, and communication
Online forms and document sharing
Accessible health records and appointments booking from mobile devices
Apple Health syncing to share health data from wearables
Reporting and Analytics
Reports for financial, clinical, and operational insights
Customized reports based on specific needs
Mobile Access
Basic apps for mobile use, ideal for multi-location practices.
Mobile scheduling & EHR
Certified by Apple's Mobility Partner Program, enhancing the mobile EHR experience.
e-Prescribing
E-prescribing within the EHR
Medication refill management
E-Rx with Apple Health integration
Compliance and Certification
ONC-ACB Certified
HIPAA Compliance
ONC Certified
Meaningful Use Stage 3
Apple Health Certification
Pros And Cons
Pros
Efficient keyword and code search
Easy-to-use mobile app
Simple appointment rescheduling
Outstanding customer service
Cons
Time-consuming EMR templates creation
Terminology learning curve
Outdated graphics design
Pros
Simplified ICD-10 code search
Ideal for non-insurance claim practices
Elegant, visually appealing design
Easy to read and write notes
Cons
Minimal customer support availability
Limited multi-site billing analytics
Speech-to-text feature needs improvement
AdvancedMD Vs. DrChrono: Side-By-Side Comparison
Telehealth
The telemedicine feature within AdvancedMD is fully integrated with the EHR and practice management system. It offers video conferencing with secure, HIPAA-compliant encryption, and automatically links telehealth visits with patient records.
DrChrono telemedicine platform is praised for its simplicity and mobile optimization. Its integration with Apple Health allows providers to monitor patient vitals in real-time during telehealth sessions.
Winner: DrChrono edges ahead for its mobile-first telemedicine solution and real-time Apple Health data sharing during virtual appointments.
Billing And Revenue Cycle Management (RCM)
AdvancedMD is known for its end-to-end revenue cycle management (RCM) services. It offers automated claims scrubbing, helping practices achieve high first-pass claim acceptance rate. The billing software ensures smooth workflows for medical coding, billing, and collections.
DrChrono offers a simplified RCM solution that is ideal for smaller practices. Its integrated billing dashboard offers real-time claims tracking, which ensures transparency throughout the billing process.
Winner: AdvancedMD leads here with its comprehensive RCM tools and real-time analytics that offers greater depth for larger practices.
Mobile Access
While AdvancedMD offers mobile access via its companion app, its interface is better optimized for desktop use. However, the mobile app allows providers to access patient records, schedule appointments, and manage billing tasks on the go.
DrChrono, mobile-first EHR, is designed specifically for iPad and iPhone users. Its mobile-optimized interface is praised for tasks like charting, billing, and e-prescribing. The app is fully certified by ‘Apple’s Mobility Partner Program’, allowing providers to easily switch between desktop and mobile without losing functionality.
Winner: DrChrono excels with its advanced mobile-first design and ‘Apple Health’ integration.
E-Prescribing
AdvancedMD allows providers to prescribe medications directly from the patient’s chart. The platform also supports ‘Electronic Prescribing For Controlled Substances (EPCS)’, a key compliance feature.
DrChrono’s e-prescribing feature is integrated with ‘Apple Health’, allowing doctors to send prescriptions from mobile devices. Patients can also track their prescriptions and adherence using this feature.
Winner: DrChrono, for its mobile-friendly e-prescribing capabilities and Apple Health integration.
Compliance And Certification
AdvancedMD is ONC-ACB certified and meets Meaningful Use Stage 3 requirements, ensuring that it complies with federal standards for interoperability and security. The platform also maintains HIPAA compliance and offers strong data encryption measures to protect patient information.
DrChrono is also ONC-certified and complies with HIPAA standards. Its Apple Health integration comes with additional layers of security and GDPR compliance for international users. DrChrono partnership with Apple ensures that the platform maintains high standards for security, especially in terms of data sharing across mobile devices.
Winner: It's a tie. Both AdvancedMD and DrChrono excel in compliance, offering strong security measures
Pricing Plans Comparison
AdvancedMD offers a modular pricing structure, allowing practices to select only the specific features they need, such as EHR, practice management, telemedicine, or revenue cycle management (RCM).
DrChrono offers scalable pricing that adjusts based on the specific requirements of a practice. To accommodate various practice sizes and needs, DrChrono provides four distinct pricing tiers:
Prometheus Plan: Basic EHR and practice management functionalities
Hippocrates Plan: More advanced EHR and practice management tools
Apollo Plan: Medical billing software in addition to EHR and practice management
Apollo Plus Plan: Revenue cycle management services alongside the core EHR and practice management features
What Do Users Have To Say?
Users of AdvancedMD highlight its customizable workflows and advanced reporting tools, which are particularly beneficial for larger, multi-location practices. Many note that its advanced analytics improve practice efficiency, but some users have expressed disappointment with outdated graphics.
For DrChrono, users consistently praise its mobile-first design and ‘Apple Health’ integration, making it a standout choice for practices looking for modern, tech-forward solutions. That said, some users mention a learning curve when setting up the platform’s custom templates, though they find it much easier to use once fully configured.
The Bottom Line: Which EMR Best Suits Your Needs?
AdvancedMD and DrChrono each offer unique features tailored to specific practice needs, but several factors should be considered in your decision-making process.
AdvancedMD is ideal for larger practices that require extensive customization and reporting capabilities. Its modular structure allows practices to choose only the features they need, making it suitable for multi-location organizations that handle a high volume of patient data.
On the other hand, DrChrono is particularly appealing for practices that value mobility and modern technology integration. Users enjoy the flexibility and intuitive interface, too. If your practice places a high value on patient engagement through mobile access and ease of use, DrChrono is likely the better fit.
If you're still uncertain about which EMR system is the best fit for your practice, consider reaching out to Software Finder. Our experts can assist you in identifying the ideal solution tailored to your specific needs and preferences.
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