Selecting the right EMR software is a crucial decision for healthcare providers. The right system can simplify clinical workflows, improve patient care, and enhance overall practice efficiency.
Among the many options available, athenaOne and Kareo stand out as two widely used EMR solutions. Both offer a range of features designed to support medical professionals, but their approaches and capabilities differ.
This blog provides a detailed comparison of athenaOne vs Kareo, helping you understand their features, strengths, and drawbacks. By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of which EMR aligns best with your practice’s needs.
athenaOne Vs Kareo: Head-On Comparison
athenaOne, developed by athenahealth, is a cloud-based EMR solution designed for various medical specialties, specifically ambulatory care. It offers several healthcare tools, including revenue cycle management (RCM) and patient engagement. Developed for medical practices of all sizes, the platform automates administrative workflows and ensures compliance with industry regulations.
In comparison, Kareo EMR, now part of Tebra, is a cloud-based healthcare solution built specifically for small to mid-sized independent medical practices. It includes essential tools like EHR, practice management, telehealth, medical billing, and patient engagement. Additionally, Kareo stands out for its user-friendly interface, making it a go-to option for clinics that require an easy-to-navigate system without complex functionalities.
athenaOne Vs. Kareo: At A Glance
Feature
athenaOne
Kareo
Cloud Access
✓
✓
Document Management
✓
✓
Scheduling
✓
✓
Billing
✓
✓
Telehealth
✓
✓
Reporting
✓
✓
Integration
✓
✓
Compliance
✓
✓
Mobile Access
✓
✓
Support Options
✓
✓
athenaOne Vs Kareo: Pros And Cons
PROS
Claims undergo deep scrubbing
Seamless provider communication
Alerts for patient info updates
Simple templates
iPad app enables mobile access
Highly customizable features
Easy calendar scheduling
CONS
Occasional loading errors
Dictation tool needs improvement
Reimbursement through third-party
Interaction checker needs update
Canceled appointments reappear
No option to print patient chart
athenaOne Vs Kareo: Side By Side Comparison
Scheduling
AthenaOne offers a robust online scheduling system with API integrations, allowing new and existing patients to book appointments seamlessly. It includes advanced features like frozen appointment slots, telemedicine bypass permissions, and automated reminders to reduce no-shows.
Kareo provides an intuitive, cloud-based scheduling system designed specifically for independent practices. It enables 24/7 online appointment booking directly from a provider’s website and online profiles, ensuring ease of access for patients.
Winner: athenaOne takes the lead with its more advanced scheduling capabilities, including API-powered automation and enhanced appointment management tools that streamline both in-person and virtual care scheduling.
Telehealth
AthenaOne provides a fully embedded telehealth solution with no additional software or downloads required. It integrates seamlessly with existing scheduling, billing, and communication workflows. Features include automated patient outreach, customizable video windows, and group video conferencing for up to four participants.
Kareo offers a flexible telehealth platform with high-quality video visits, virtual waiting rooms, and provider-specific URLs. It supports large-scale group appointments (up to 200 participants) and allows extended-hour scheduling to maximize patient accessibility and revenue generation.
Winner:
Kareo edges out athenOne in telehealth due to its superior scalability, offering larger group sessions and greater scheduling flexibility, making it ideal for practices that require expanded virtual care options.
Integration
AthenaOne features the largest healthcare marketplace with 155K+ providers and 200+ specialties. It offers 800+ API endpoints for seamless integration and provides marketing, networking, and lead-generation support for third-party partners.
Kareo integrates with 60+ EHRs across multiple specialties, ensuring compatibility with diverse healthcare systems. It focuses on expanding patient-practice connectivity through long-standing partnerships and expert integration support.
Winner: athenaOne excels with its extensive API ecosystem, dedicated partner support, and vast provider network, making it the superior choice for practices seeking scalable and diverse integrations.
Electronic Prescriptions
AthenaOne recognized for the highest accuracy in e-prescribing, athenaOne received the ‘2020 Surescripts White Coat Award’. It ensures prescription precision, reducing errors and improving patient adherence. Its system is backed by ‘Surescripts Sentinel’, which monitors prescription accuracy across its network.
Kareo offers an intuitive e-prescribing system with automated alerts for drug interactions, medication history tracking, and Rx saver coupons for cost reductions. It integrates with ‘First Databank’ for real-time drug data and compliance adherence.
Winner: Despite a close call, athenaOne leads with industry recognition, proven accuracy, and Surescripts-backed monitoring, making it the superior choice for error-free, efficient e-prescriptions.
Medical Billing
AthenaOne streamlines revenue cycle management by automating routine (AR) tasks, ensuring cleaner claims, and maintaining compliance with evolving payer regulations. Users benefit from a continuously updated billing rules engine and extended RCM services, reducing administrative burden. Its comprehensive dashboard enhances financial visibility, allowing practices to optimize collections efficiently.
Kareo offers a complete billing ecosystem, integrating insurance eligibility verification, electronic claims submission, and omnichannel patient payment solutions. Its analytics-driven approach enhances financial health by reducing claim denials and improving reimbursement speed.
Winner: Between the two, Kareo emerges as the stronger choice due to its comprehensive billing ecosystem, seamless claims processing, and omnichannel patient payment solutions. Additionally, its focus on reducing claim denials and accelerating reimbursements makes it a more efficient and financially beneficial option for healthcare providers.
athenaOne Vs Kareo: Pricing Plans
athenaOne offers flexible pricing based on an organization’s revenue, ensuring affordability during fluctuations in patient volume. The model includes:
No hidden fees – Transparent pricing structure
Minimal upfront costs – Low initial investment for quick returns
No long-term contracts – Users can leave anytime and retain their data
In comparison, Kareo pricing depends on the type of healthcare provider in addition to the one-time application fee of $75 for the e-prescription feature. It offers the following pricing quotations:
While athenaOne adapts pricing to revenue fluctuations, Kareo provides fixed monthly rates based on provider type. Organizations preferring cost predictability may favor Kareo, while those seeking scalable pricing may find athenaOne more suitable.
athenaOne Vs Kareo: What Users Have To Say?
Users commend athenaOne for providing all-in-one solution-driven and customizable features, enhancing both patient and provider experiences. However, some users find the interface confusing, citing a need for multiple clicks to access patient information.
On the contrary, Kareo is praised for its functionality and professional appearance, including a user-friendly layout and comprehensive dashboard. Nonetheless, some users' express dissatisfaction with customer support, describing it as unresponsive – sometimes leading to frustration.
In summary, while both platforms offer robust features, athenaOne users appreciate its aesthetic and customization options but desire a more intuitive interface. Meanwhile, Kareo users value its clean design and functionality but have concerns regarding customer service responsiveness.
Choosing The Right EHR: Which One Suits Your Practice Best?
athenaOne and Kareo offer valuable solutions for healthcare providers, but their strengths differ significantly. athenaOne excels in scalability, revenue cycle automation, and regulatory compliance, making it ideal for larger organizations needing end-to-end practice management. Kareo, on the other hand, provides a cost-effective, user-friendly system with billing tools tailored for independent practices and small clinics.
Selecting the right EHR depends on your practice’s size, financial model, and workflow requirements. A system that optimizes efficiency and reduces administrative burden is crucial, as physician burnout linked to complex EHR systems continues to rise. Carefully evaluating your priorities will help ensure that you invest in a solution that enhances your daily operations.
