AdvancedMD and EpicCare represent two leading solutions in the competitive healthcare management field, each platform catering to distinct segments of the industry. AdvancedMD is recognized for its adaptability and practice management capabilities, while EpicCare is highly regarded in the EHR space, especially among large healthcare systems.
As practices evaluate their options, understanding the differences in user experience, scalability, and specific functionalities becomes important. This article aims to explore the detailed features of AdvancedMD and EpicCare by offering insights into which solution might best support practice’s operational goals.
Head-On Comparison
AdvancedMD is a cloud-based EHR and practice management platform widely recognized for its suitability for various healthcare practices, including mental health, physical therapy, and family medicine. It operates entirely in the cloud and supports mobile access through dedicated apps.
EpicCare, part of the Epic Systems suite, is a comprehensive EHR solution designed for large hospital networks and healthcare organizations. Its interoperability features allow patient data to be shared between hospitals and other healthcare organizations.
Epic excels in population health management through its Healthy Planet module, tracking population health trends.
AdvancedMD And EpicCare: At A Glance
Feature
AdvancedMD
EpicCare
Electronic Health Records (EHR)
Customizable templates across specialties
Automation for charting, note-taking, and scheduling
Highly customizable for large organizations
Support for inpatient, outpatient, and specialty care workflows
Practice Management
Multi-location scheduling, patient reminders
Waitlist management
Appointment scheduling, and revenue optimization
Telemedicine
Allows for video consultations and seamless connection with patient records
Supports video visits and virtual care coordination
Revenue Cycle Management (RCM)
Coding, billing, automated claims scrubbing, and denial management
Medical E-payments
Complex billing processes, reimbursement tracking, and denial management
Patient Portal
Patient engagement for viewing health records, bills, and online forms
Access to medical records, test results, appointment scheduling, and secure messaging
Reporting And Analytics
Detailed financial, clinical, and operational reports for insights
Reporting for population health, clinical performance, and outcome predictions
Mobile Access
Mobile apps for scheduling and EHR access
Ideal for multi-location practices
Epic offers Haiku and Canto apps, providing full EHR access
E-Prescribing
e-prescribing solution with medication refill management within the EHR
Medication management and drug interaction alerts
Compliance And Certification
ONC-ATCB and HIPAA-compliant
ONC-ATCB certified, HIPAA compliant, and interoperability-ready through Care Everywhere
Pros And Cons
PROS
PROS
User-friendly mobile app
Easy collaboration with other providers
Visually appealing and effective reporting feature
Smooth integration with medical devices
Reduced billing and coding errors
Simple uploading of items to charts
CONS
CONS
Time-consuming EMR template creation
Terminology differences may cause a brief hurdle
Less optimized mobile version compared to desktop
Designed primarily for larger organizations
Side By Side Comparison
Electronic Health Records (EHR)
AdvancedMD EHR system offers extensive customization capabilities, along with its automation features. This automation optimizes charting and note-taking processes. Notably, the software integrates voice recognition software, enabling clinicians to dictate notes directly into patient records, improving documentation speed.
In contrast, EpicCare provides an in-depth EHR tailored for complex clinical workflows across inpatient and outpatient settings. Its standout clinical decision support tools deliver real-time alerts for potential medication interactions and treatment guidelines, improving patient safety.
Winner: EpicCare leads with its clinical decision support and structured data capabilities, which are crucial for large healthcare systems.
Telemedicine
The telemedicine feature in AdvancedMD is integrated with its EHR to conduct HIPAA-compliant video consultations directly from the platform. The system includes automatic documentation of telehealth visits, linking them to patient records. AdvancedMD also features appointment reminders for virtual visits, reducing no-show rates.
EpicCare’s telehealth capabilities are embedded within its MyChart patient portal, allowing patients to schedule video visits and access their health records in one place. Notably, Epic offers virtual waiting rooms to enhance patient experience.
Winner: Epic takes the lead for its excellence in scalability and patient experience enhancements.
Reporting And Analytics
AdvancedMD includes a range of reporting tools to monitor performance. Users can generate customizable reports modified to their specific needs. The system’s dashboard analytics provide previews of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), enabling practices to quickly identify trends.
Meanwhile, EpicCare analytics capabilities facilitate population health management. It allows organizations to conduct deep dives into clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction metrics. The SlicerDicer feature enables users to explore data interactively, identifying patterns that support data-driven decision-making.
Winner: EpicCare wins with its powerful analytics tools that integrate seamlessly into clinical workflows, such as SlicerDicer.
Mobile Access
AdvancedMD provides mobile apps designed for multi-location practices, allowing users to access EHR and scheduling features on the go. The mobile platform supports real-time patient data access, and its Patient Kiosk app enables collecting co-pays, updating demographics, and completing intake forms.
In contrast, EpicCare offers dedicated mobile applications, Epic Haiku and Epic Canto, designed specifically for mobile access. They allow physicians to manage their schedules, review patient records, and communicate with colleagues using their smartphones.
Winner: Cerner emerges as the winner for its scalable practice management solution, offering centralized billing.
Compliance And Certification
AdvancedMD is ONC-ACB certified and fully HIPAA compliant for patient data security and privacy. The platform regularly undergoes updates to maintain compliance and protect sensitive information.
In comparison, EpicCare is also ONC-ATCB certified and maintains rigorous HIPAA compliance. The Care Everywhere feature enhances compliance by allowing easy data sharing while ensuring patient data security across different healthcare systems.
Winner: EpicCare stands out for its extensive security measures, including the Care Everywhere feature.
Pricing Plans Comparison
AdvancedMD offers a flexible custom pricing model that allows healthcare practices to build a bundle, where users can select the core features that matter most to their practice, along with specialty add-ons.
EpicCare also operates on a custom pricing model designed to the specific needs and scale of healthcare organizations. It offers highly customizable solutions with variable costs based on factors such as the number of users and modules implemented.
What Users Have To Say?
Users of AdvancedMD frequently praise its ability to tailor templates and workflows to fit specific medical specialties. They also note that AdvancedMD mobile access enables better flexibility for managing tasks on the go, which is particularly useful for multi-location practices.
However, some users have expressed concerns about customer support that it can sometimes be slow to respond.
EpicCare is widely regarded as one of the prime examples for multi-specialty healthcare organizations, due to its extensive functionality and depth of customization. The platform’s interoperability is often highlighted, especially its Care Everywhere feature.
That said, the platform's complexity can present a steep learning curve, with some users finding it overwhelming to navigate initially, especially for those new to the system.
Final Decision: Which EMR Aligns With Your Practice Goals?
The decision between AdvancedMD and EpicCare depends on the unique needs and objectives of your practice. If you are looking for a user-friendly solution that offers flexibility and advanced practice management tools, AdvancedMD may be the right choice for you.
On the other hand, EpicCare is likely more suitable for a large healthcare organization, such as a hospital or multi-specialty practice. Its interoperability and population health management tools equip large systems to handle complex workflows and improve care coordination.
If you need help evaluating your practice size, budget, and specific requirements to determine which EMR best aligns with your goals, don't hesitate to reach out to Software Finder for expert guidance.