When evaluating electronic health record (EHR) systems, NextGen Office EHR and Kareo EMR are prominent options.
Both platforms offer comprehensive solutions tailored to the needs of independent healthcare practices.
Head-On Comparison
NextGen Office EHR is a cloud-based EHR solution tailored for small to medium-sized practices across various specialties, including primary care, pediatrics, and obstetrics. It integrates practice management, revenue cycle management, and patient engagement tools, emphasizing customizable clinical content and workflows
Kareo EMR, now operating under the brand ‘Tebra,’ provides an all-in-one platform for medical practices. This includes EHR functionalities, practice management, medical billing, and patient engagement solutions, aiming to enhance both administrative and clinical operations.
NextGen Vs Kareo: At A Glance
Feature
NextGen
Kareo
Specialty-specific templates
✔
✔
Integrated clearinghouse
✔
✔
AI-powered documentation
✔
✔
E-prescribing
✔
✔
Customizable workflows
✔
✔
Telehealth capabilities
✔
✔
Third-party integrations
✔
✔
Strengths And Weaknesses
PROS
Smooth flow between patient charts and medications
Automatically connects with Avaya
Enables employee tracking
Generates superbills electronically
Billing analytics integration
Drop-in notes enhance efficiency
CONS
Sometimes fails to auto-fetch claims
Prone to limitations in reporting and analytics
Minimal support for natural products and supplements
No integration with Google Calendar
Side By Side Feature Comparison
User Interface And Ease-Of-Use
NextGen is frequently praised for its user-friendly design. The system's layout facilitates efficient navigation and minimizes the learning curve. Henceforth, it can be said that a clean and crisp interface supports a smooth charting process.
Kareo also receives commendation for its interface. Its dashboard's functionality includes the clinical section's design, which consolidates all note sections on a single page, enhancing usability. Additionally, the flexibility to add or remove sections caters to individual preferences, contributing to a positive user experience.
Winner: Both platforms offer intuitive interfaces, but Kareo’s single-page notes give it a slight edge.
Practice Management Features
NextGen integrates smoothly with practice management tools, streamlining billing and patient flow processes. It is compatible with various devices, including iPads and iPhones, which enhances accessibility and flexibility in practice management.
Kareo is recognized for its seamless reporting capabilities and reasonable pricing. The platform's ease of use and features like automated reminders and messaging systems contribute to efficient practice operations.
Winner: Kareo’s automated reminders and messaging systems coupled with its affordability, position it as the stronger contender in this category.
Billing And Revenue Cycle Management
NextGen Office offers a comprehensive suite of billing features designed to enhance efficiency and accuracy for medical billing companies. Its automated billing processes streamline tasks such as statement generation, claims creation, and eligibility checks, reducing manual workload and minimizing errors.
Kareo provides effective billing capabilities with features like eligibility checks. It also incorporates scanning ability and the ease of generating reports.
Winner: NextGen’s automated billing processes make it the preferred choice for billing and revenue cycle management.
AI-Driven Clinical Documentation
NextGen Office utilizes NextGen® Ambient Assist, an AI-powered ambient listening technology that transforms natural patient-provider conversations into structured SOAP notes within seconds. This automation reduces manual documentation time, allowing providers to focus more on patient care.
Kareo integrates with AI auto-scribing tools, such as those offered by Beam Health, to automatically transcribe voice notes or consultations into accurate clinical notes. These notes can be seamlessly posted to the EMR with a single click, streamlining the documentation process.
Winner: NextGen leads in AI-driven clinical documentation with its integrated ambient listening technology.
Mobile Accessibility
NextGen Office is noted for its compatibility with various devices, including iPads and iPhones, allowing users to access the system on-the-go, enabling managing patient information and practice operations remotely.
Kareo’s iPad application is praised for its sleek design and functionality. Users, particularly chiropractors, find the app convenient for quickly accessing and updating patient information during sessions, enhancing the efficiency of clinical workflows.
Winner: Both platforms offer strong mobile accessibility, but Kareo’s tailored app features provide a more specialized experience for specific medical practices.
Patient Portal
NextGen Office incorporates a patient portal that enables patients to access their health records and communicate with providers. The platform aims to improve patient access and engagement, boost satisfaction, and enable positive outcomes.
Kareo emphasizes patient engagement through integrated tools, especially after it was merged with PatientPop, aiming to enhance the overall patient experience.
Winner: While both platforms offer patient portals, NextGen provides a more comprehensive and structured approach to patient access and engagement.
Cloud-Based Accessibility
NextGen Office, being cloud-based, eliminates the hassles and expenses of in-house technology by allowing access to all patients and practice data through the cloud. It provides the security and flexibility of web-based tools accessible from laptops, iPads, or computers.
Kareo, also a cloud-based platform, offers the flexibility to manage practice operations from various devices, ensuring that healthcare providers can access necessary information anytime and anywhere.
Winner: It’s a tie since both NextGen and Kareo offer fully cloud-based solutions.
Pricing Comparison Between NextGen And Kareo
NextGen Office emphasizes competitive custom pricing and offers an exclusive purchasing program through the NextGen Office Marketplace. The platform offers discounts on office supplies, personal protective equipment (PPE), and tech solutions.
Kareo also offers flexible custom pricing based on the unique requirements of each practice.
What Users Have To Say
NextGen Office has garnered praise for the fact that many appreciate and acknowledge its value for money. The platform is an all-in-one employee tracking, care management, and managed cloud hosting platform. However, many users report occasional system outages and instances where claims fail to auto-generate.
When it comes to Kareo, many appreciate its clinical interface, praising the fact that its design allows for all sections of a note to be displayed on a single page. However, some have reported that the platform lacks the capability to print a complete chart for records review.
NextGen Vs Kareo: Which One Suits You Best?
Choosing between NextGen and Kareo ultimately depends on the unique needs of your practice. If your focus is on enhanced documentation, AI-powered efficiency, and specialty-driven templates, NextGen is a strong contender. However, if you require a cost-effective platform with effective billing capabilities, strong customer support, and seamless practice management, Kareo might be the better fit.
In the end, both platforms bring something unique, tailored to the needs of each practice. This is one of the reasons why both these tools are considered 2025’s best EMR platforms. Evaluating your practice’s workflow will help determine which EHR system best aligns with your operational goals.
