NextGen Vs. Epic: Which EMR System Is Right For You?
When it comes to electronic medical records software, NextGen and Epic are two of the most popular and widely used choices among healthcare providers worldwide. Both systems offer a comprehensive range of features that make them appealing options for medical professionals. However, determining which one is the right choice for your practice can be a complex decision.
This piece will explore the key differences between Epic and NextGen electronic health record (EHR) systems by evaluating their features, pricing, customer support, and user reviews. It will help you make an informed decision about which system is best suited for your practice.
NextGen And Epic – At A Glance
NextGen EHR Software is an award-winning solution specifically designed to meet the needs of healthcare practices across multiple specialties. It offers an intuitive interface and customizable templates for a personalized user experience. The software also supports seamless integration with other systems, which makes it an excellent choice for practices of all sizes. Whether you're running a small clinic or a large hospital, NextGen EHR is designed to help you stay organized, efficient, and focused on patient care.
Epic is recognized as a leading player in the EHR market due to its extensive functionality and user-centric design. Known for its dedication to innovation, Epic software primarily serves large healthcare organizations, such as hospitals and healthcare networks. While it can be adapted for smaller practices, its robust features, high interoperability, and cost are generally better suited for more extensive facilities that require comprehensive EHR capabilities.
Features Comparison
Choosing the right EMR for your practice starts with understanding the features each platform offers. Both NextGen and Epic come equipped with a range of functionalities designed to improve patient care and streamline administrative workflows.
However, the specific features most valuable to your facility will depend on its size and workflow requirements. Users seeking EMR for private practices may prioritize features that enhance efficiency and affordability. At the same time, larger organizations might require more advanced capabilities for data analysis, population health management, and integration with existing systems.
Let's take a closer look at how NextGen and Epic compare in these areas.
Patient Portal
NextGen and Epic EHR both provide user-friendly patient portals and encourage patient engagement.
NextGen PxP Portal offers convenient access to medical records, appointment scheduling, and secure messaging. Patients can communicate with their providers, schedule appointments, pay bills, and request prescription refills. This makes it easier for patients to stay informed and involved in their healthcare journey.
Similarly, Epic's MyChart patient portal offers comparable features, with the added benefits of viewing test results, managing billing information, and conducting face-to-face video consultations. Additionally, MyChart allows individuals to stay on top of everyone's appointments and check in on family members who need extra help, all from a single account. This secure tool also enables users to access their health information from multiple healthcare providers in one centralized place.
While both portals strive to empower patients and improve their overall healthcare experience, Epic's MyChart edges out NextGen with its enhanced features.
Revenue Cycle Management (RCM)
NextGen and Epic both provide robust solutions and services that can effectively streamline your practice's financial processes.
NextGen offers services such as claims management, denial tracking, and reporting tools. These solutions help practices ensure more transparent billing, improve denial management, and optimize overall operational efficiency.
Epic EHR's AI-driven RCM module is specifically designed for seamless integration with clinical workflows. It offers real-time eligibility checks, claim scrubbing, and advanced analytics, which can provide deeper insights into financial performance. This integration with the EHR system ensures that administrative and clinical tasks are closely aligned, which results in a more cohesive workflow.
Although both systems offer comprehensive tools for revenue cycle management, Epic's advanced interoperability with EHR systems may provide a more unified and efficient experience.
Patient Intake
NextGen simplifies the patient intake process by offering customizable templates and electronic forms. It enables patients to electronically complete registration forms and update their information using tablets or kiosks. This modern approach further enhances the patient experience and reduces administrative workload.
The goal of both systems is to enhance efficiency and save time for both patients and staff during the intake process.
Patient Scheduling
When considering patient scheduling, NextGen and Epic provide convenient solutions to assist in appointment and resource management.
NextGen offers a full suite of patient scheduling and registration solutions that enable easy appointment scheduling, automated reminders, and efficient waitlist management. You can customize appointment scheduling tools to meet the needs of your practice and patients, with features such as color-coded scheduling templates, adjustable time increments, patient group scheduling, and templates for viewing multiple resources on one screen.
Similarly, Epic offers comparable features along with extra functionalities such as referral management and multi-provider scheduling. These advanced capabilities can significantly enhance the scheduling process, particularly for larger organizations.
Both systems aim to improve the scheduling process, but Epic's capabilities are far more advanced, particularly beneficial for larger organizations.
Electronic Prescriptions
Both NextGen and Epic offer electronic prescription support, which simplifies the task of healthcare providers sending prescriptions directly to pharmacies.
NextGen's e-prescription module provides a range of features to improve electronic prescription accuracy. It won the 2018 Surescripts White Coat Award and offers various integrated workflow solutions, including electronic pharmacy communication, electronic prior authorization (EPA), and electronic prescription of controlled substances (EPCS).
Likewise, Epic offers an e-prescribing solution that includes medication reconciliation, allergy checks, and drug utilization reviews. This is one of the cost-effective features of Epic, which is designed to enhance patient safety and streamline the prescription process, making it a valuable addition to any healthcare practice.
Overall, both systems share the goal of enhancing patient safety and streamlining the prescription process.
Custom Reports
Both NextGen and Epic offer robust custom reporting tools to help healthcare organizations leverage data for improved decision-making and operational efficiency.
NextGen's custom reporting capabilities enable users to monitor over 100 critical key performance indicators (KPIs). Additionally, it supports role-based access, providing customized views for providers, administrators, and practice executives. This flexibility ensures that each team member can access the specific data and insights needed to perform their roles effectively.
Epic also offers custom reporting tools that transform vast amounts of data into actionable insights through intelligent automation. Users can choose from a library of ready-made clinical, operational, and financial algorithms, or build their own to suit specific needs.
While both software solutions offer comprehensive custom reporting capabilities, Epic takes the lead in this category due to its extensive library of pre-built algorithms and the flexibility to create custom ones.
Compliance And Security – A Quick Comparison
Prioritizing patient data security and regulatory compliance is crucial for any healthcare practice. This section compares how NextGen and Epic approach these critical areas.
NextGen
NextGen prioritizes compliance with industry standards and regulations. The software has achieved ONC-Health IT 2015 Edition Cures Update certification, ensuring adherence to the information-sharing requirements of the 21st Century Cures Act. It is also HIPAA-compliant and leverages Amazon Web Services (AWS) for robust security and performance.
Additionally, NextGen supports various healthcare quality initiatives by adhering to relevant industry standards.
Epic
Epic prioritizes data security and compliance through a comprehensive approach. It also maintains HIPAA compliance and offers ONC-certified Health IT Modules that meet the established criteria set by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
The vendor utilizes a multi-layered security approach that combines process, technology, and physical controls to protect data privacy, security, integrity, and availability. Furthermore, it implements a robust information security management system to guide its security policies and procedures.
Overall, both NextGen and Epic demonstrate a strong commitment to data security and regulatory compliance. This ensures that healthcare organizations can trust their platforms to protect patient information and adhere to industry standards effectively.
Unique Features Of NextGen And Epic
NextGen and Epic offer a set of core features that can be used to streamline a patient's medical history, treatment plan, and diagnosis. However, each of these practice management solutions offers unique capabilities as well.
NextGen – Time-Saving Tools
NextGen's Ambient Assist is a smart AI feature that transforms patient-provider conversations on mobile devices into temporary transcripts to generate structured Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan (SOAP) notes. These notes are generated with 90% accuracy and are automatically placed in the NextGen mobile solution for provider review and editing.
Another unique and time-saving feature is NextPen, a digital pen specifically designed to connect traditional paper-based documentation with electronic health records. This innovative tool enables healthcare providers to write on paper forms while simultaneously capturing the data electronically within the NextGen EHR system.
Epic And Generative AI
Epic software seamlessly integrates generative AI into its EHR platform. It incorporates state-of-the-art language models, like GPT-4, to automate time-consuming tasks. AI helps users streamline handoff summaries, personalize patient responses, and provide up-to-date insights. The platform currently uses generative AI and predictive models across the following areas:
- Revenue cycle
- Population health tools
- Clinician efficiency
- Insights from data
- Capacity management
- Patient experience
Cost Comparison Between NextGen And Epic
Choosing the right EHR system for your practice involves more than just comparing features and security measures. It's important to consider pricing as a significant factor.
In this section, we will distinguish between the pricing structures of NextGen and Epic EMR to assist you in making an informed decision that aligns with your budget and fulfills your practice's requirements.
NextGen EMR Pricing
The software's pricing model typically includes a one-time setup fee and a monthly subscription fee. NextGen's pricing may vary depending on the size of your practice and the specific features you require.
Pricing Highlights:
- NextGen's affordability makes it ideal for smaller practices with limited budgets
- The flexible pricing model lets you choose the features and capabilities that best suit your practice's needs, helping you avoid paying for unnecessary add-ons
- NextGen may offer discounts or special pricing for non-profit organizations and educational institutions
Epic EMR Pricing
Epic's pricing structure can be more expensive than NextGen's. Its pricing model typically involves a combination of licensing fees, implementation costs, and ongoing maintenance fees.
Pricing Highlights:
- Epic's higher price point reflects its extensive features and customization options, catering to large healthcare organization's complex needs
- The cost of implementing Epic System can be significant, as it may include hardware upgrades, software customization, and training for staff members
- Considering the total cost of ownership when evaluating Epic's pricing is important, as ongoing maintenance fees and potential upgrade costs can add up over time
You can also get in touch with our sales team to secure a personalized pricing quote for both of these software solutions.
What Do Users Say About NextGen And Epic?
When choosing an EMR system, user experience is a major consideration. Let's delve into what actual users have to say about NextGen and Epic's ease of use, features, and customer support.
User Feedback About NextGen
NextGen is known for its flexible interface, which allows users to customize templates and workflows to meet their needs. The platform features an adaptable dashboard, intuitive menus, and easy navigation options.
User Review Highlights:
- Many users appreciate NextGen's customization capabilities, which enable them to tailor the system to their specific requirements
- Some users find NextGen's user interface (UI) less intuitive than Epic EMR, which may result in a steeper learning curve for new users
- Users have praised the platform's powerful features but have mentioned that navigating through the system can sometimes be time-consuming and appears cluttered
- Customers have also highlighted excellent customer support, noting that the support team is responsive and helpful
- Users find NextGen offers good value for money and balances robust features with reasonable costs
User Feedback About Epic
Epic's user interface is designed to be simple and user-friendly, catering to the needs of a wide range of healthcare providers. The platform offers a clean design, personalized home screens, and logical information organization.
User Review Highlights:
- Users often find Epic's UI to be more accessible and easier to navigate, making it faster for new users to learn the system
- Some users praise Epic's consistent layout and information organization, making it easy to quickly find what they're looking for
- A few users have expressed concerns about the limited customization options in Epic's interface compared to NextGen. Customization may require additional resources or assistance from Epic's support team
- Some users have also expressed concerns about the responsiveness of customer support, which could potentially result in delays when addressing issues
- Users commend Epic for its comprehensive features and capabilities that provide good value for money, particularly for larger organizations
Awards And Accolades
Both EHR systems offer robust features and have garnered recognition in the healthcare industry.
NextGen Healthcare has been consistently recognized for its excellence. It was ranked #1 EHR & PM by Black Book Research in 2024 for the seventh consecutive year. Additionally, the vendor was honored on Newsweek's list of America's Most Trustworthy Companies in 2024, marking its third consecutive year on the list.
Epic, on the other hand, continues to dominate the health IT landscape. It was named the top overall health IT software suite for the 14th consecutive year in the 2024 Best in KLAS Awards. The Epic community also represents 62% of HIMSS Enterprise Davies winners since 2010.
These accolades highlight the strong reputation and reliability both systems bring to healthcare practices.
NextGen Vs. Epic: And The Winner Is?
After reviewing multiple facets of this NextGen vs. Epic battle, we must declare that there is no clear winner or loser. Both platforms have their merits, and the only 'best' option is one that suits your specific practice needs and priorities.
If customization, affordability, and strong customer support are top priorities for your private practice, NextGen might be the ideal choice. Its user interface can be adapted to your specific workflows, and its pricing may be more budget-friendly for smaller practices.
However, if your practice prioritizes a clean, user-friendly interface, comprehensive features, and a proven track record with large organizations, then Epic might be a better fit. Furthermore, Epic boasts a long history of success with top-ranked hospitals and medical schools.
Consider factors like user interface, pricing, and required features to make an informed decision that aligns with your practice's goals. If you still feel confused, you can reach out to us at (661) 384-7070 for personalized guidance.
