Balancing the demands of modern healthcare with the operational side of running a practice has become increasingly challenging. From managing patient interactions to handling billing and ensuring regulatory compliance, healthcare providers face a growing list of responsibilities. This is where electronic health records (EHR) and electronic medical records (EMR) software come in.
Epic and Allscripts (now Veradigm) are key players in this space, each offering unique advantages. Large healthcare organizations trust Epic’s comprehensive systems, while Allscripts specializes in improving clinical workflows and patient engagement through its tailored solutions.
In this comparison, we’ll explore the features, pricing models, and user experiences of Epic and Allscripts, helping you determine which platform best aligns with your practice's needs and long-term goals.
A Head-On Comparison
Epic EMR is a leading healthcare software solution known for its extensive functionality and ability to cater to large healthcare organizations. Its comprehensive electronic health record (EHR) system offers advanced clinical decision support, billing management, and patient scheduling, making it a strong platform for hospitals, labs, and clinics.
What sets Epic apart is its ability to unify various healthcare contexts under one platform, providing a fluid experience across different departments.
Allscripts EMR, now branded as Veradigm, is another prominent healthcare software designed to boost clinical efficiency for small to medium-sized practices. It offers essential features like AI-powered appointment scheduling, revenue cycle management, and patient engagement tools with user experience at its core.
What sets Allscripts apart is its practical, cloud-based interface, which allows healthcare providers to quickly adapt without extensive training, making it a convenient choice.
Epic And Allscripts: At A Glance
Feature
Epic
Allscripts
Patient Engagement
Digital front door allows patients to connect with scheduling, payments, and shopper estimates
CRM for healthcare
Communication for patient outreach
Check-ins with mobile
AI Capabilities
AI assistant
Draft notes and messages with AI
Predictive scheduler
Telehealth
In-home primary care with EpicCare
Remote patient monitoring
High-definition video and audio
Compliance
Compliant with HIPAA
ONC regulations apply
ONC-certified
HIPAA compliant
Patient Portal
Epic’s MyChart allows patients to view lab results, histories, medications and more
Patients can access personal health records
Specialized tools for communication
E-Prescriptions
Send authorization requests digitally
Integrate with state PDMPs
Order prescription refills with FollowMyHealth
Revenue Cycle Management
Referral management and authorization
Electronic verification of insurance and coverage
Coding experts to speed up execution
In-built patient eligibility checks
Specialty Management
Supports multiple types of healthcare specialties like dental, orthopedics, urology, oncology etc.
Serves numerous specialties, including cardiology, psychiatry, endocrinology, ENT, gynecology, etc.
Comparing Strengths And Weaknesses
PROS
PROS
Reduces documentation time with Dot phrases
Enables easier cross-system communication due to widespread adoption
Connects to medical devices for smooth data integration
Reduces billing and coding errors
Offers great customer support
Frequent updates keep the software running smoothly
Manual errors are reduced by workflow automation
Employee communication is improved
Provides specialized insights about patient demographics
Offers ease of use for patients and practitioners alike
CONS
CONS
Changing orders requires canceling and re-entering them
Some desktop features are missing on the mobile app
Multiple users can't access the same patient note simultaneously
Users report concerns about customer support
Side By Side Features Comparison
EHR And Patient Management
Epic: Provides an EHR solution that connects various healthcare facilities on a global scale, enabling interoperability across systems. It excels in acute care and large hospital environments. Additionally, it offers patient monitoring, record management, and AI-driven data analytics.
Allscripts also offers a comprehensive EHR, but it gravitates more towards smaller to mid-sized practices, with a strong emphasis on usability. It allows clinical intake and assessments, diagnosis and treatment care plans, and patient follow-up communication.
Winner: It's a tie here since Epic offers more maneuvering space between large-scale healthcare systems, while Allscripts wins points for ease of use in smaller settings.
Telehealth And Virtual Care
Epic integrates telehealth within its system, allowing practitioners to monitor patients remotely, manage medications, and obtain patient histories during patient visits. Its virtual care options are deeply incorporated into the system, enabling continuity across patient care, whether virtual or in person.
Allscripts also offers telehealth functionality. Care providers can manage high-definition video consultations, follow-ups, and documentation, but its telehealth features may be somewhat limited when compared to Epic’s all-encompassing approach.
Winner: Epic wins in this category because it offers a fully integrated telehealth experience.
Scheduling
Epic includes strong scheduling tools like its Digital Front Door that puts scheduling in the hands of the consumer. Additionally, the software will soon allow patients to pick appointment times with the help of AI chatbots.
Allscripts also provides top-notch scheduling tools. A standout feature is its Predictive Scheduler that leverages AI technology to automate scheduling and utilizes predictive analytics to foresee patient demand.
Winner: Allscripts comes out on top in this category, as it offers a scheduling feature that is more mature and fleshed out.
Interoperability
Epic is widely known for its leadership in interoperability. Its system allows different healthcare providers across the globe to connect and share patient data through a unified network. This boosts collaboration and improves care coordination across facilities and government partners.
Allscripts supports interoperability as well with its Allscripts dbMotionTM Solution. It integrates with a variety of EHRs regardless of vendor. The platform states that it receives over 14 million unique patient transactions every month and 1000+ hospitals transmit data through it.
Winner: Epic wins but only by a small margin due to its widespread usage on a global scale.
Revenue Cycle Management
Epic offers sophisticated revenue cycle management tools that improve transparency, increase collections, offer professional estimates, and verify insurance coverage in its consolidated platform. These functionalities allow for extensive management of the financial side of healthcare operations.
Allscripts also provides revenue cycle management with a suite of solutions that include coding, registration, eligibility checks, denial management and advanced analytics. A standout attribute about Allscripts is the inclusion of coding experts that help smoothen out any bumps in the coding cycle.
Winner: It's a tie in this category, as both Epic and Allscripts offer exceptional features.
Pricing Plans For Epic And Allscripts
Pricing is an important factor when selecting an EMR or EHR system, especially for practices that need to balance functionality with budget considerations. Both Epic and Allscripts offer customized pricing models, allowing practices to tailor solutions according to their specific operational and financial needs.
Epic Pricing Breakdown
Epic operates on a custom pricing model, which is fashioned to the size and requirements of the healthcare organization. Costs can vary based on factors such as the number of users, features required, and the complexity of the implementation. This flexibility makes sure that larger practices or healthcare systems can scale accordingly.
Allscripts Pricing Breakdown
Allscripts also uses a customized pricing structure, offering rates based on the unique demands of each practice. The costs will depend on the selected services and features, making it a versatile option for practices of varying sizes. This pricing model allows healthcare providers to choose only the tools that best suit their workflow and budget.
Comparing The Two
Both Epic and Allscripts offer pliable, custom pricing models, allowing healthcare practices to adapt the software to their specific needs. While neither platform provides fixed pricing, this approach enables them to accommodate a wide range of practice sizes and operational requirements.
What Users Have To Say About The Software
Epic has garnered a reputation for being an all-in-one system that excels in functionality and integration across large healthcare organizations. Users frequently highlight its ability to connect across various healthcare systems. Many reviewers highly appreciate its features like billing and coding, medicine reconciliation, and appointment scheduling. Allscripts, in contrast, is often lauded for its user-friendly interface and straightforward functionality, making it particularly appealing to smaller practices. Users appreciate how easy it is to track patient progress and templates. Additionally, the platform’s responsiveness to feedback is also commendable. Both platforms shine in their own way, Epic for its advanced capabilities in large healthcare settings, and Allscripts for its simplicity and adaptability for smaller practices.
The Final Word: Epic Or Allscripts?
Deciding between Epic and Allscripts ultimately depends on your practice’s size, needs, and long-term goals. Whether you’re managing a large hospital network or a small to mid-sized clinic, both platforms offer powerful tools to improve patient care, ease workflow, and boost operational efficiency.
If you're still unsure which platform is best for your healthcare practice, contact Software Finder for a one-on-one consultation to help you make the right choice!
