Looking for an EMR Software that is ready made for your small practice to help you get going? You've come to the right place. Finding an EMR that fits your budget as well as provides a variety of features can be very difficult and time consuming, with so many options available in the market, it's important to find the one that best suits the specific needs of your practice.
We at Software Finder took the liberty of providing you a list of the Best EMRs for Small and Private Practices that has everything you'd want in one affordable package.
Top 10 Best EMRs for Small Practices (2024)
- NextGen EMR
- eClinicalWorks
- prognoCIS
- AdvancedMD
- Dr. Chrono
- athenahealth
- Cerner
- TherapyNotes
- CareCloud
- Practice Fusion
NextGen EMR:
NextGen is a popular EMR system that offers a range of features designed to streamline the workflow of small practices.
It provides customizable templates, e-prescribing capabilities, and integrated billing and scheduling functionalities.
Pros
One of the key advantages of NextGen is its flexibility and scalability. It can be tailored to meet the unique requirements of different medical specialties.
Additionally, NextGen offers robust reporting and analytics tools, allowing small practices to gain valuable insights into their operations and patient outcomes.
Another advantage of NextGen is its interoperability. It integrates well with other systems and allows for seamless exchange of patient information with hospitals, laboratories, and pharmacies. This can greatly enhance the coordination of care for patients.
Cons
One potential drawback of NextGen is its cost. It is not a free EMR system and requires an upfront investment as well as ongoing maintenance fees. This can be a significant financial burden for small practices with limited budgets.
Another potential downside is the learning curve associated with NextGen. While it offers extensive customization options, it may take some time for users to become proficient in navigating and utilizing all the features and functionalities.
eClinicalWorks
eClinicalWorks EMR is an information solution providing electronic health records (EHR) for medical practices.
It is designed to help healthcare providers manage patient records, schedule appointments, document visits, and bill for services. It also includes features for revenue cycle management, managing population health, managing patient engagement, and conducting telemedicine consultations.
Pros
One of the key advantages of eClinicalWorks is its user-friendly interface. It is designed to be intuitive and easy to navigate, making it accessible for both healthcare providers and staff members. This can help streamline the workflow and reduce the learning curve associated with implementing a new EMR system.
Another advantage of eClinicalWorks is its integrated telehealth capabilities. This feature allows small practices to offer virtual visits, expanding access to care for patients and providing convenience for both patients and providers.
As far as data security is concerned, eClinicalWorks is a HIPAA Compliant EMR that provides the very best security measures for your sensitive information.
Cons
One potential drawback of eClinicalWorks is its customer support. Some users have reported issues with the responsiveness and effectiveness of the support team, which can be frustrating when encountering technical difficulties or needing assistance with the system.
The pricing structure of eClinicalWorks can be unfavourable at times. While it offers different pricing plans, the cost can vary depending on the specific needs and size of the practice.
prognoCIS
PrognoCIS EMR emerges as a robust solution for healthcare providers, combining intuitive design with advanced functionality.
With comprehensive features for seamless patient care and practice management, PrognoCIS is a reliable choice.
Pros
One of the key advantages of prognoCIS is its cloud-based nature. This means that small practices do not need to invest in expensive hardware or worry about data backups and security.
The system is accessible from anywhere with an internet connection, providing flexibility and convenience.
Another advantage of prognoCIS is its patient portal functionality. It allows patients to securely access their medical records, request appointments, and communicate with their healthcare providers.
This can enhance patient engagement and satisfaction, retaining them and having them work with your solo practice for years on end
Cons
Due to prognoCIS's limited customization options, It can be difficult for physicians to make the EMR feel easier to use. Therefore It may need some learning and a hands on approach
While it offers a range of features, some users have reported that the system may not be as customizable as other EMR systems in the market. This can be a limitation for small practices with specific workflow requirements.
Another potential downside is the learning curve associated with prognoCIS. Some users have reported that it may take time to become fully proficient in navigating and utilizing all the features and functionalities of the system.
AdvancedMD
AdvancedMD EHR is a popular choice among small to medium-sized medical practices due to its flexible pricing and relatively user-friendly interface. It's most common pricing plan, with costs ranging from $485 to $729 per provider per month provides fully integrated EMR and practice management system
Pros
One of the key advantages of AdvancedMD is its integrated billing and revenue cycle management capabilities. It streamlines the billing process, reduces errors, and improves reimbursement rates for small practices. This can have a significant impact on the financial health of the practice.
Another advantage of AdvancedMD is its user-friendly interface. It is designed to be intuitive and easy to navigate, making it accessible for both healthcare providers and staff members. This can help improve workflow efficiency and reduce the learning curve associated with implementing a new EMR system.
Its partner mobile friendly application enables on the go patient and physician communication as well. Along with the integration of generative AI into its list of features, and the introduction of AdvancedMD Pay, a credit card processing system that makes payments seamless and easy.
Cons
The pricing can be a sticking point for most of the small practices in the United States. With add-ons and one time implementation fee, you're already looking for around $5000 in investment along with the monthly fee you'll have to pay for its features
Another potential downside is the customer support provided by AdvancedMD. Some users have reported issues with the responsiveness and effectiveness of the support team, which can be frustrating when encountering technical difficulties or needing assistance with the system.
Dr.Chrono EMR
Simplify patient care tasks with DrChrono EHR, a user-friendly medical software. Selected as the winner of the ‘EHR Innovation’ award in the sixth annual MedTech Breakthrough Awards program, DrChrono demonstrates its innovative capabilities and commitment to providing intuitive technologies that enhance the patient and provider experience
Pros
One of the key advantages of Dr. Chrono is its mobile-friendly design. It can be accessed from smartphones and tablets, providing flexibility and convenience for healthcare providers on the go. This can be particularly beneficial for small practices with limited office space or those offering telehealth services.
Dr. Chrono's pricing plans start at $199 to $499 per provider a month, depending on the needs of the practice in question.
Another advantage of Dr. Chrono is its telehealth capabilities. It allows small practices to offer virtual visits, expanding access to care for patients and providing convenience for both patients and providers.
Cons
One potential drawback of Dr. Chrono is its pricing structure. While it offers different pricing plans, the cost can vary depending on the specific needs and size of the practice. This can make it challenging for small practices with limited budgets to determine the most cost-effective option.
Another potential downside is the learning curve associated with Dr. Chrono. Some users have reported that it may take time to become fully proficient in navigating and utilizing all the features and functionalities of the system.
Some lags and occasional software bugs are also something to keep in mind when it comes to Dr. Chrono.
athenahealth:
athenahealth is a prominent provider of cloud-based services for healthcare, offering a comprehensive suite of products designed to streamline practice management, enhance patient engagement, and improve clinical workflows for new practices.
Here's a breakdown we did for athenahealth vs epic recently:
Pros:
With an amazing combination of comprehensive features in a very flexible pricing package, athenahealth makes it's great as the perfect EMR for small up and coming clinics.
You can manage your practice from one place with a variety of features ranging from flexible appointment scheduling, patient task management, and revenue cycle management services such as claims scrubbing, charge entry, and denial resolution.
Cons:
The cloud based aspect of the EMR, although amazing would require a stable internet connection to run well, or you may experience some lags here and there. Learning the platform can also be a challenge
We at Software Finder have had countless practice mention that they've been unable to get a grip of the EMR due to extensive training needed to start and run the software. Its not a plug-and-play EMR that's for sure.
It doesn't have a free trial which means you can't try the EMR out, while integration with 3rd party softwares may incur additional fees.
Cerner(now Oracle):
Cerner, now Oracle, is a comprehensive EMR system that offers a range of features designed to meet the needs of small practices. It provides electronic health records, practice management, and revenue cycle management functionalities along with a FREE TRIAL to try these features out.
Pros:
One of the key advantages of Cerner is its interoperability. It integrates well with other systems and allows for seamless exchange of patient information with hospitals, laboratories, and pharmacies. This can greatly enhance the coordination of care for patients.
The EMR is also mobile friendly, allowing patients and doctors to access the sytem on the go. With amazing data protection protocol embedded into the system, your practice is in good hands.
Another advantage of Cerner is its robust reporting and analytics tools. It provides valuable insights into the operations and patient outcomes of small practices, allowing for data-driven decision-making and quality improvement initiatives.
Cons:
The basic cost starts at approximately $25 per user per month, but this can increase significantly depending on customization, training, and maintenance needs so It makes things difficult for
Another potential downside is the learning curve associated with Cerner. While it offers extensive customization optins, it may take some time for users to become proficient in navigating and utilizing all the features and functionalities.
TherapyNotes:
If you're a behavioural health professional looking at opening your own practice, then TherapyNotes is one of the EMRs that we highly recommend you try out.
It offers a 30-Day free trial for new users so that you can get used to the EMR for your everyday tasks
Pros:
The affordability is amazing for mental health professionals with TherapyNotes, starting at just $59/month for a single user for the solo plan while the Group plan has $59 per month for the first clinician, with an additional $40 per month for each additional clinician. This plan includes unlimited non-clinical users
TherapyNotes remains the most affordable platform on the market. It provides Scheduling, Telehealth and an easy to use Client Portal for its users.
It supports DSM-5 diagnostic codes and offers unlimited storage for notes and files while for billing needs, It integrates with Change Healthcare for streamlined claims management and offers secure credit card processing.
Cons:
For such a user friendly EMR, not having a mobile app is a glaring issue that we hope that the company will fix going forward. You're also quite limited when it comes to customizations in the long run for your practice.
The additional costs associated with add-ons makes it difficult for some practices to afford initially.
CareCloud
A cloud-based platform for managing clients, CareCloud was created to help medical practices of all sizes run more efficiently. It provides an extensive set of tools for revenue cycle management, practice management, and electronic health records (EHR).
The pricing model is customised to reflect the needs of the practice.
Pros
One of the key advantages of CareCloud is its cloud-based nature. This means that small practices do not need to invest in expensive hardware or worry about data backups and security.
The system is accessible from anywhere with an internet connection, providing flexibility and convenience.
With CareCloud's integrated revenue cycle management capabilities, it helps reduce errors and improvements reimbursement rates for small practices.
CareCloud enhances patient engagement with mobile and web-ready solutions, including the Breeze patient engagement platform, which allows for online check-ins and contactless payment
Cons
One potential drawback of CareCloud is its pricing structure. While it offers different pricing plans, the cost can vary depending on the specific needs and size of the practice. This can make it challenging for small practices with limited budgets to determine the most cost-effective option.
The customer support is at times slow to respond to queries, making it very difficult to manage along with complexity involved in certain features.
Practice Fusion:
With a straightforward pricing model, starting at just $149 per provider a month, Practice Fusion is the perfect EMR as a starting point when it comes to small-to-medium sized practices across the US.
The platform also offers a free 14-day trial, which allows potential users to explore its features without any upfront costs
Pros:
Customization galore and clinical documentation allows physicians to make the EMR their own. The system supports connectivity with over 500 lab and imaging centers, allowing for seamless ordering and sharing of test results
With mobile accessibility, Practice Fusion's telehealth services allows instantaneous patient care. It allows telehealth calls to be taken on the go, with an interface that makes things easy to manage and understand.
Practice Fusion offers a patient portal where patients can access their personal health records (PHR), schedule appointments, and complete intake forms online
Cons:
The biggest issues we've seen at our time with the EMR, are the billing integration which can possible delay reimbursements for your practice. If that's something you are looking into making a staple of your practice, we'd suggest looking on the other options.
This leads to insurance eligibility issues, as there isn't a set verification process put in place. The customer service is also lacking during peak hours.
What Makes the Perfect EMR for Small Practices in 2024?
Affordability:
Small practices often operate on tight budgets, so cost-effectiveness is crucial. Many EMR systems offer tiered pricing or pay-per-use models, which can be more manageable for smaller practices.
Ease of Use:
The EMR system should be intuitive and easy to navigate, minimizing the learning curve for healthcare providers and staff. This is especially important in small practices where there may be limited IT support.
Customization:
The ability to customize templates and workflows to suit the specific needs of the practice can improve efficiency and patient care.
Integration:
Seamless integration with other systems such as billing, scheduling, and telehealth services can streamline operations and reduce administrative burdens.
Data Security:
Ensuring patient data privacy and compliance with regulations like HIPAA is critical. A reliable EMR should have robust security measures in place.
Support and Updates:
Access to responsive customer support and regular software updates can help small practices stay current with technological and regulatory changes.
Conclusion:
We hope you found our summarisation and justifications of our picks helpful, and we are more than happy to lend you a helping hand in choosing the right practice for you no matter the specialty.
