Settle the NextGen Vs Epic Debate: Which EHR System is Superior?

When it comes to electronic health records (EHR) systems, NextGen and Epic are two of the most popular choices. Both systems are widely used by healthcare providers worldwide and offer a range of features that make them appealing options for medical professionals. But how do you determine which one is the right choice for your practice?
In this blog post, we will delve into the differences between Epic and NextGen EHR systems so you can decide which is best for your practice. We’ll look at their features, pricing, customer, and reviews to assist you in making an informed decision about which system best suits your needs.
Choosing An EHR in 2023…
In 2023, the importance of EHRs in healthcare remains significant. These electronic records have become indispensable to contemporary medical practices, hospitals, and healthcare systems. EHRs serve as a digital platform for the storage, management, and sharing of patient health information. This enables healthcare providers to conveniently access comprehensive and current patient records. If you’re interested, NextGen and Epic are two industry-leading EHRs that have gained popularity this year.
NextGen Healthcare
This software has been specially developed to meet the needs of healthcare professionals. NextGen’s interface is intuitive, and its templates can be customized. Additionally, it seamlessly integrates with other systems, making 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 your patients.
One of the notable features of NextGen EHR is its adaptability. The software offers a wide range of specialty-specific modules, ensuring that it meets the unique requirements of your practice. Whether you specialize in pediatrics or cardiology, NextGen EHR has tailored solutions that will simplify the management of patient records.
Epic EHR
Epic EHR has gained recognition as a leading player in the EHR market due to its extensive functionality. It stands out with its user-centric design and dedication to innovation. It serves a diverse range of healthcare organizations, accommodating both small private practices and large hospital networks, guaranteeing precise and efficient solutions tailored to your specific requirements.
Another noteworthy aspect of Epic EHR is its impressive interoperability. It boasts seamless integration capabilities, enabling effortless connectivity with other healthcare systems, laboratories, and pharmacies.
What To Expect?
Before you purchase a subscription plan for EHRs, having a 360-view of their features is good. Let’s compare NextGen and Epic software features side by side.
Patient Portal
NextGen and Epic EHR provide patient portals that are user-friendly and encourage patient engagement while enabling effective communication between patients and healthcare providers. NextGen’s patient portal offers convenient access to medical records, appointment scheduling, and secure messaging. Similarly, Epic’s MyChart patient portal offers comparable features, with the added benefits of viewing test results and managing billing information. Both portals strive to empower patients and improve their overall healthcare experience.
Revenue Cycle Management (RCM)
NextGen and Epic EHR provide robust RCM solutions that can effectively streamline your practice’s financial processes. NextGen’s solution includes features such as claim management, denial tracking, and reporting tools, all aimed at optimizing your revenue cycle.
Epic EHR’s RCM module is specifically designed for seamless integration with clinical workflows. It offers real-time eligibility checks, claim scrubbing, and advanced analytics. Although both systems offer comprehensive tools for revenue cycle management, Epic’s integration with the EHR system may offer a more seamless experience.
Patient Intake
NextGen EHR simplifies the patient intake process by offering customizable templates and electronic forms. This enables you to efficiently capture patient information and minimize manual data entry. On the other hand, Epic EHR streamlines patient intake by allowing patients to electronically complete registration forms and update their information using tablets or kiosks. 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 EHR provide convenient solutions to assist in appointment and resource management. NextGen’s scheduling module enables easy appointment scheduling, appointment reminders, and waitlist management. Similarly, Epic EHR offers comparable features along with extra functionalities such as referral management and multi-provider scheduling. Both systems aim to improve the scheduling process, but Epic’s capabilities are more advanced, particularly beneficial for larger organizations.
Electronic Prescriptions
Both NextGen and Epic EHRs have electronic prescription support, which simplifies the task of healthcare providers sending prescriptions directly to pharmacies. NextGen’s e-prescription module provides medication history, drug interaction checks, and formulary information. Likewise, Epic EHR’s e-prescribing capabilities encompass medication reconciliation, allergy checks, and drug utilization reviews. Both systems share the goal of enhancing patient safety and streamlining the prescription process.
What Makes Them Special?
NextGen and EpicCare EHR offer clinical administration features that can be used to streamline a patient’s medical history, treatment plan, and diagnosis. However, each of these practice management solutions also offers unique capabilities as well.
NextGen: NextPen
NextGen saves time. How?
It offers a unique capability through the provision of 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.
By combining the familiarity of pen and paper with the efficiency and convenience of digital technology, NextGen’s NextPen excels in saving time and streamlining workflows. The ability to capture handwritten data in real time eliminates the necessity for manual data entry and significantly reduces the risk of errors.
Spend less time on administrative tasks and more time focusing on your patients.
Epic Care: Digital Front Door
You can lower patient no-shows if you sign up for Epic.
EpicCare’s digital front door feature offers a comprehensive suite of digital tools aimed at providing patients with a seamless, end-to-end healthcare experience. It enables patients to easily access essential healthcare services, from scheduling appointments to follow-ups after their visits.
This innovative approach enhances patient satisfaction and helps healthcare practices remain competitive in an ever-growing digital environment. Patients can conveniently schedule appointments, select their preferred provider, and even specify the reason for their visit, all through a user-friendly and intuitive interface. This self-service approach not only saves time for both patients and staff but also minimizes the chances of missed appointments and sudden cancellations.
Save the time and money spent on scheduling and rescheduling.
What Are Possible Limitations
NextGen and Epic provide excellent practice management solutions, but like everything else, they come with their own limitations.
NextGen Is Not Always Intuitive
Some users have reported that the user interface of NextGen can be less intuitive compared to other EHR platforms, which can make it more challenging to navigate and locate specific features or functions. However, it’s important to note that experiences with the interface may vary, and many users eventually become accustomed to it.
Epic EMR Takes Its Time
Given the complexity of Epic EMR, users may need extensive training to achieve proficiency in utilizing the software. Furthermore, certain users have expressed concerns about the responsiveness of customer support, which could potentially result in delays when addressing issues.
User Experience – As Users Rate Them
Here’s what you can expect from NextGen vs Epic regarding user experience.
NextGen User Interface
NextGen is known for its flexible interface allowing 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, allowing them to tailor the system to their specific requirements
- Some users find NextGen’s 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 be time-consuming and appears cluttered
Epic EMR User Interface
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 organization of information.
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
Get Your Money’s Worth
Choosing the ideal EHR system for your practice involves more than just comparing features and user interfaces. It’s crucial to consider pricing as a significant factor. In this informative blog 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 extras
- 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. Epic’s 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 providers’ complex needs
- The cost of implementing Epic EMR 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
Click on Get Pricing to get a customized quote from our sales team.
Wind-Up: Which EHR Is Better?
In the ongoing debate between NextGen and Epic EHR systems, the key lies in comprehending your practice’s distinct requirements. NextGen provides intuitive customization and personalized solutions, enabling healthcare professionals to remain organized and concentrate on patient care.
On the other hand, Epic distinguishes itself through its strong functionality, seamless integration, and user-friendly interface that caters to a diverse range of healthcare organizations. While NextGen saves time with its innovative NextPen, which bridges the divide between paper and digital records, EpicCare’s digital front door transforms patient experiences, minimizing no-shows, and improving satisfaction.
Consider factors like user interface, pricing, and special features to make an informed decision that aligns with your practice’s goals. And if you still feel confused, you can reach out to us at +1 661-384-7070.



Pricing
Customized
Features
Excellent customer support, customizable
Reviews
4 out of 5 (aggregate score)

Pricing
$99 per user, per month
Features
Medication management, user-friendly interface
Reviews
4 out of 5 (aggregate score)
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