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A recent survey shows that 59% of providers would switch from their current electronic health record (EHR) software for better functionality. This highlights widespread dissatisfaction and the need to choose the right EHR system to effectively streamline workflows, ensure compliance with healthcare regulations, and optimize the revenue cycle.
Among the top options in the market, athenahealth and Epic stand out for their award-winning solutions and extensive adoption across various healthcare settings.
In this comparison, we will break down the features, benefits, and potential drawbacks of both systems to help you determine which solution will be able to meet your practice’s needs now and in the future.
athenahealth is an all-in-one healthcare IT software designed for ambulatory practices of all sizes across multiple specialties. The platform integrates EHR, practice management, and revenue cycle management solutions within a unified dashboard. It empowers healthcare providers to streamline their practice workflows, deliver value-based care, and optimize operational efficiency.
athenahealth is best known for its independent physician practice suite and ambulatory EHR solutions, which are ideal for small to mid-sized practices. In recognition of its excellence, it earned four 2024 Best in KLAS awards across various categories.
In contrast, Epic is a comprehensive medical software solution primarily designed for large hospitals and health systems. The platform supports a wide range of medical specialties and offers EHR, practice management, and population health management solutions. It also includes advanced tools for data analysis, patient engagement, and interoperability, helping healthcare providers deliver high-quality care while complying with regulatory standards.
The software is best known for its scalability and suitability for large-scale healthcare environments. In recognition of its consistent performance, Epic EMR was named the top overall health IT software suite for the 14th consecutive year in the 2024 Best in KLAS awards.
Feature | athenahealth | Epic |
Patient Engagement Tools | Patient portal, telehealth, payment tools, and self-scheduling options | Share Everywhere for health record sharing; MyChart portal for scheduling, virtual visits and patient education resources |
Revenue Cycle Management | Integrated billing, medical coding, and claims resolution tools | Comprehensive RCM solution with insurance verification, patient self-service and automation tools |
Practice Management | Tools for scheduling, billing, and workflow automation | Fully integrated scheduling, billing, and data analytics solutions |
Integrations | athenahealth Marketplace and 800+ API endpoints | Open interoperability platform and over 1,000 industry-standard APIs |
Customization | Customizable templates, macros, and specialty-specific workflows for multiple healthcare settings | Highly customizable to meet the specific needs of hospitals, clinics, and specialty practices |
Mobile Access | Supports mobile access for on-the-go patient data management via athenaPatient mobile app | Epic's Haiku and Canto mobile apps offer secure mobile access to clinical data |
AI-Powered Tools | Leverages generative AI to improve patient care and reduce administrative burdens | Uses generative AI and predictive models across its suite of solutions |
Support | Offers phone, chat, web, and email support, along with a customer success manager | Phone and email customer support options |
Pricing | Pricing model corresponds to an organization’s collections | Pricing varies based on the size and requirements of the organization |
Security And Compliance | Uses technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to protect data. HIPAA, HITECH/ARRA, ACA compliant | Uses encryption, audit trails, and access controls to secure data. HIPAA-compliant and ONC-ATCB certified |
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| PROS | PROS |
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| CONS | CONS |
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athenahealth offers a unique pricing model based on the collections of the organization, which means that costs can vary depending on patient volume and revenue generation. This can help practices manage expenses more flexibly, especially during fluctuations in patient numbers.
Moreover, athenahealth emphasizes transparency in its pricing, claiming no hidden fees and no long-term contracts. Practices can opt out at any time and retain their data.
Epic, on the other hand, requires a significant upfront investment for its systems, which can be a substantial commitment for healthcare organizations. Costs often include software licensing fees, implementation costs, and ongoing maintenance.
Epic generally involves longer contracts and commitments, which might not provide the same level of flexibility that athenahealth offers. The implementation cost for Epic can range from $1200 to $500,000, depending on the complexity of the deployment and the size of the organization.
athenahealth users frequently praise the platform for its user-friendly and intuitive design, which simplifies communication between patients and providers. Many have reported a noticeable increase in collections, typically between 2% to 6%, along with a decrease in overhead costs. Users also appreciate the ease of managing appointments, although some have encountered difficulties when updating patient insurance information.
Epic has gained popularity across the healthcare industry, covering over 51.5% of acute multi-specialty hospital beds in the United States, according to KLAS. Users find Epic easy to use and commend its excellent billing features, which contribute to fewer denials from payers and insurance companies. However, the software's high cost can be a barrier for smaller organizations, and many users report a long implementation process that can be challenging to navigate.
Both athenahealth and Epic are powerful EMR systems designed to meet the needs of healthcare organizations, but they cater to different requirements. athenahealth stands out with a user-friendly solution that simplifies workflows for small to mid-sized ambulatory settings, while Epic is known for its comprehensive features purpose-built for larger healthcare networks.
Each practice has unique needs based on specialty, size, clinical and administrative workflows, and integration requirements. It's important to conduct a thorough assessment of these factors to determine which platform aligns best with your goals and can effectively support your team's workflow.
As Christine Sinsky, MD, points out in a recent article by the American Medical Association (AMA),
“Burdensome EHR systems are a leading contributing factor in the physician burnout crisis and demand urgent action.” Keeping this in mind, focus on finding an EMR that minimizes complexity and enhances efficiency to ultimately improve patient care and provider satisfaction.
