Healthcare providers are tasked with the crucial decision of choosing the right electronic medical record (EMR) system to improve patient care and operational efficiency. With a growing focus on interoperability and value-based care, choosing an EMR solution that aligns with your practice’s unique needs is vital.
Two leading contenders in the EMR space are NextGen and Cerner. Both offer comprehensive features designed to improve clinical workflows, patient engagement, and regulatory compliance. In this comparison, we will analyze the strengths and weaknesses of NextGen and Cerner to help you make an informed decision.
NextGen Vs. Cerner: Head-On Comparison
NextGen EHR Software, top-ranked in EHR and PM by Black Book Research, is a comprehensive EMR solution tailored to small and mid-sized practices. It integrates EHR, practice management, and patient engagement tools into a single platform, streamlining clinical workflows and enhancing the overall patient experience.
With features like mobile accessibility, specialty-specific templates, and telehealth support, NextGen is built to meet the demands of ambulatory care providers.
It excels in usability and flexibility, making it an ideal choice for practices looking for customizable solutions. A survey conducted by Black Book in 2023 highlighted that NextGen Healthcare achieved the top rankings of any ambulatory EHR vendor across 40 specialties.
In contrast, Cerner, now part of Oracle, was ranked 2022 best in KLAS for acute care EMR (electronic medical records) in Middle East and Africa. It is designed to meet the needs of large hospitals and healthcare systems. Its platform covers EHR, practice management, and population health management, with a focus on interoperability and data-driven care.
Cerner's strengths lie in its scalability, real-time data access, and integrated cloud infrastructure, enabling providers to manage complex health environments.
Trusted by some of the largest healthcare organizations, Cerner is known for supporting large-scale operations and advanced healthcare analytics.
NextGen Vs. Cerner: At A Glance
Feature
Nextgen
Cerner
Patient Engagement Tools
Self-scheduling
IVR, chat bot, call deflection
Appointment reminders
Interact with current patients
Electronic health record (EHR) systems
Population health management systems
Revenue Cycle Management
Cutting-edge technology
Actionable financial insights
Reduce administrative burden
Group billing
ASO billing (including stop-loss insurance)
HIPAA-compliant cloud solution
Practice Management
Align technology with your goals
Access data analytics
Manage patient scheduling
Scheduling
Patient tracking
Patient accounting
Integrations
GDPR Compliant
API
SSL and certificate management
Process Automation
API full lifecycle management
Oracle GoldenGate Kafka and event streaming
Mobile Access
Mobile application for android
Application for iOS
Mobile application for android
Application for iOS
AI-Powered Tools
Administration automation
Patient Summary
Image Interpretation
Generative AI at Oracle, AI solutions hub, and Try Oracle AI and get a 30-day free trial
Support
Call
Form submission
Live chat and call
Pricing
Customized
Customized
Security and Compliance
HIPAA
PII (personally identifiable information)
Security Zones
Vulnerability Scanning
Cloud Guard Threat Detector
Telehealth
Streamlined user experience
Easy for patients to use
Secure, HIPAA-compliant HD video
Enterprise-level video visits
Oracle Health Scheduled Video Visits
Oracle Health Remote Patient Monitoring
NextGen Vs. Cerner: Pros And Cons
PROS
PROS
Patient charting efficiency
Offers customizable reporting features
Effective patient engagement tools
Integration with labs and pharmacies
Offers Advanced interoperability
Comprehensive clinical documentation tools
Effective care coordination
CONS
CONS
System can slow down, especially when handling large volumes of data
Issues during system updates can temporarily disrupt workflows
Difficult to navigate through specific modules or retrieve specific information
NextGen Vs. Cerner: Side By Side Comparison
NextGen and Cerner both offer powerful EMR solutions with unique features aimed at addressing the needs of healthcare providers. Below is a comparison of six key features to help you decide which solution best fits your practice.
Patient Portal
NextGen patient experience platform includes a user-friendly patient portal that allows patients to schedule appointments, view medical records, and communicate with providers. It also supports mobile access, improving patient engagement by enabling patients to take control of their health.
Cerner patient portal is integrated with its comprehensive health management tools, enabling patients to access their health data, including lab results and prescriptions, and communicate with their healthcare team. It also supports sharing data with external healthcare systems, promoting continuity of care.
Winner: Cerner, due to its extensive interoperability and data-sharing capabilities.
Mobile Accessibility
NextGen offers a mobile platform that allows healthcare providers to access patient information, prescribe medications, and communicate with patients on the go. This mobile accessibility improves flexibility for healthcare providers, especially in ambulatory settings.
Cerner Oracle’s mobile solution is part of its comprehensive cloud-based platform, giving providers real-time access to patient data, clinical tools, and scheduling across various devices. This solution is designed for large-scale health systems needing a unified approach to mobile healthcare management.
Winner: Cerner Oracle’s mobile solution takes the lead with its broad, integrated platform ideal for large-scale health systems.
Interoperability
NextGen provides interoperability with various health information systems and industry standards like HL7 and FHIR. It supports data exchange between practices and external systems, promoting collaboration among healthcare providers.
Cerner excels in interoperability with its platform that integrates seamlessly with external healthcare systems. Through Oracle’s cloud infrastructure, Cerner ensures smooth data exchange across hospitals, clinics, and external providers, improving coordinated care.
Winner: NextGen excels in interoperability, supporting easy data exchange with various health information systems.
Practice Management
NextGen offers integrated practice management tools designed to streamline administrative tasks such as scheduling, billing, and patient intake. These tools improve workflow efficiency for small to mid-sized practices.
Cerner with its practice management solution is highly scalable, catering to large health systems. It supports resource management, appointment scheduling, and billing in a centralized system, designed to handle the needs of large healthcare networks.
Winner: Cerner emerges as the winner for its scalable practice management solution, offering centralized billing.
Revenue Cycle Management
NextGen provides comprehensive revenue cycle management (RCM) tools, including claims management, billing, and collections, all integrated within the EMR platform. This feature helps small and mid-sized practices improve financial performance.
Cerner designed its RCM solution for large-scale operations, offering tools for managing claims, billing, and payment cycles across multiple locations. It includes advanced analytics for revenue optimization, making it ideal for large healthcare systems.
Winner: Cerner stands out as the winner, featuring advanced analytics that optimize revenue across multiple locations.
Telehealth
NextGen includes a telehealth solution that integrates smoothly with its EMR platform, enabling virtual visits, remote patient monitoring, and secure communication between patients and providers. It is tailored for practices seeking to expand into telemedicine services.
Cerner offers telehealth solution integrated with its patient portal and clinical workflows. It supports real-time consultations, virtual care management, and home health monitoring, making it suitable for hospitals and healthcare systems focused on telemedicine expansion.
Winner: It’s a tie between NextGen and Cerner, both offering telehealth solutions to their respective audiences.
NextGen Vs. Cerner: Pricing Plans
Neither platform offers a fixed pricing model. Instead, pricing is tailored based on factors such as the size of the practice or healthcare system, the specific features and modules required, and the level of support and customization needed.
This flexible approach allows both NextGen and Cerner to cater to a wide range of healthcare providers, from small clinics to large health systems, ensuring the solutions align with operational needs and budgets.
NextGen Vs. Cerner: What Users Have To Say?
NextGen users often commend the platform for its customizable templates and user-friendly interface, particularly in ambulatory care settings. Many users highlight the ease of adapting NextGen to specific practice needs, which enhances workflow efficiency. However, the platform’s extensive set of features and customization options can be overwhelming for some users.
Cerner, on the other hand, is appreciated for its interoperability and scalability, particularly in large healthcare systems. Users appreciate the platform's ability to integrate patient data across multiple systems, which is crucial for comprehensive care. However, some reviews mention that chart templates need improvement.
Any Good Alternatives To NextGen And Cerner
NextGen and Cerner are leading EMR platforms, but several alternative solutions are available that may better fit the specific needs, scale, and budgets of different healthcare providers. Here’s a list of alternatives worth considering:
Our Verdict: Which EMR System Is The Right Fit For You?
Both NextGen and Cerner (Oracle Health) are leading EMR systems, each catering to different types of healthcare practices. NextGen excels in providing an intuitive, user-friendly interface ideal for small to mid-sized practices, with features focused on streamlining patient engagement and improving clinical workflows. On the other hand, Cerner offers a highly scalable platform designed for larger healthcare organizations, providing advanced interoperability, comprehensive clinical documentation, and population health management tools.
Choosing the right EMR comes down to your practice's size, complexity, and specific needs. NextGen is best suited for smaller clinics looking for ease of use, while Cerner is better for larger institutions requiring more extensive capabilities and integration options. Evaluating your organization’s long-term goals, patient volume, and workflow complexity is crucial to making the right choice.
