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eClinicalWorks Vs. Practice Fusion: Uncovering The Top EHR Choice For Your Practice In 2024

eClinicalWorks Vs. Practice Fusion: Uncovering The Top EHR Choice For Your Practice In 2024

When it comes to choosing an electronic medical record (EMR) or electronic health record (EHR) system, medical practices need to weigh every option carefully. Even the slightest variation in features or performance can significantly influence a practice’s day-to-day efficiency.

eClinicalWorks and Practice Fusion are two notable contenders, each offering unique solutions designed with healthcare professionals in mind. But how do they compare in terms of functionality, ease of use, and scalability?

In this blog, we’ll explore the intricacies of eClinicalWorks and Practice Fusion, diving into their capabilities, pricing structures, user feedback, and more, helping you determine which platform is the best fit for your practice.

Head-On Comparison

eClinicalWorks has established itself as a powerhouse in the healthcare software industry, hosting over 180,000 physicians and more than 850,000 healthcare professionals globally. Its standout features include AI-powered functionalities for better patient engagement, along with a solid revenue cycle management (RCM) system that boasts a 98% or higher first-pass acceptance rate for claims.

The platform is particularly well-suited for larger practices and organizations looking for solutions that address specialty-specific requirements and improve patient outcomes through advanced data analytics and reporting capabilities.

On the other hand, Practice Fusion EHR is also a well-known name in medical software, offering a cloud-based EHR solution that emphasizes ease of use. It provides features such as customizable charting templates, seamless electronic prescribing, including controlled substances, and efficient connectivity with pharmacies and labs.

Practice Fusion is designed to lower administrative burdens, allowing providers to focus more on patient care rather than paperwork. Its competitive pricing model includes essential support and training, making it an attractive option for smaller practices.

eClinicalWorks And Practice Fusion At A Glance

Feature	eClinicalWorks	Practice Fusion
Patient Portal	Access to health records Branding and personalization	Customizable intake forms Educational materials for patients
Billing and RCM	Flexible models Automated scrubbing	Integration with Tebra, Veradigm, and CollaborateMD Expert claims management support
Telehealth	Document progress notes Send text or email links	Order diagnostic imaging Schedule appointments
Patient Engagement	healow Pay for digital transactions eClinicalMessenger for customized campaigns	Appointment reminders Broadcast messaging
Mobile Access	The healow family of apps	Secure access to medical records via mobile
Security and Compliance	ONC-certified HIPAA-compliant	In compliance with HIPAA
Support	Live chat Phone Email	Form submission Live chat Phone

Comparing Strengths And Weaknesses

Side By Side Feature Comparison

eClinicalWorks and Practice Fusion are both popular EHR solutions, each designed with distinct strengths to cater to various healthcare practices. Below, we’ll explore their standout features to help you determine which platform best suits your practice’s specific requirements.

Patient Portal

The eClinicalWorks Patient Portal offers a platform that empowers patients with 24/7 access to their health information, including lab results, appointment scheduling, and secure messaging. Patients can conveniently update their demographics, request prescription refills, complete necessary forms, and even join telehealth visits, all from any device.

A standout feature of the portal is its ability to be personalized and branded by practitioners, creating a more welcoming and familiar experience for patients.

In contrast, the Practice Fusion patient portal focuses on improving the patient experience before, during, and after visits. It allows patients to manage appointments online and fill out customizable intake forms. During visits, the portal provides clinical decision support tools and educational materials.

After appointments, patients can access their personal health records electronically, which include test results and care plans.

Winner: It's a tie, as patient portals from both Practice Fusion vs eClinicalWorks prioritize boosting the patient experience with user-friendly features.

Billing And Revenue Cycle Management (RCM)

eClinicalWorks offers two distinct models, a self-service Practice Management model, where practices manage their own billing, and an RCM Service model, where eClinicalWorks takes on the entire billing process. This flexibility allows practices to choose the approach that best suits their needs.

Its RCM includes patient eligibility verification, automated claim scrubbing, and denial management tools. The platform also features real-time dashboards and key performance indicators for performance evaluation.

In comparison, Practice Fusion offers integrated billing services. Their billing solution includes features such as automated charge capture and electronic claims submission, which help reduce administrative burdens and improve cash flow.

Practice Fusion emphasizes transparency by providing real-time eligibility verification and offering detailed reporting tools for financial oversight. Additionally, their billing services include support from a dedicated billing team for denials management and patient payment processing.

Winner: It's a tie, as eClinicalWorks offers more flexibility with self-service and full-service models, while Practice Fusion provides simplicity with integrated billing and dedicated support.

Telehealth

eClinicalWorks offers a solid telehealth solution via its healow platform. It is HIPAA-compliant, user-friendly, and accessible across devices without downloads or logins. Providers can conduct video/audio calls, send pre-visit questionnaires, and collect vitals from wearables. Additionally, it includes features like screen sharing and support, making it an effective tool for virtual care.

Practice Fusion’s telehealth solution is integrated into its EHR, boosting patient engagement and simplifying virtual visits. Providers can create and send diagnostic lab or imaging orders during consultations and securely message patients. The solution is designed for easy use across devices, making it ideal for independent practices offering remote care.

Winner: eClinicalWorks edges out as the winner due to its more extensive telehealth features, including wearable integration and 24/7 support.

Telehealth

healow Telehealth Solutions from eClinicalWorks is a HIPAA-compliant platform offering remote care through on-demand video and audio calls. Providers can initiate visits via text or email without extra software. With customizable pre-visit questionnaires, remote vital sign collection, 24/7 support, and integration with any EHR, it’s designed for comprehensive telehealth accessibility and patient engagement.

ModMed’s telehealth solution, integrated within the EMA platform, provides real-time audio and video capabilities for remote, personalized care, especially benefiting vulnerable groups. The APPatient app allows smartphone access for communication and prescription renewals, supporting high standards in virtual care.

Winner: eClinicalWorks wins for its broader EHR integration and versatile telehealth features.

Patient Engagement

eClinicalWorks excels in patient engagement with innovative tools that streamline communication and healthcare processes. The healow app offers lifestyle management features, like tracking vital signs and activity levels, empowering patients to stay involved in their health. Its CHECK-IN™ feature simplifies appointment management by allowing online confirmation and copay payments. Additionally, the No-Show Predictive Module uses AI to reduce missed appointments, improving practice efficiency.

On the other hand, Practice Fusion emphasizes patient engagement through its straightforward appointment reminders and communication tools. Their system automates appointment reminders via text or email, significantly reducing no-show rates and enhancing patient adherence to scheduled visits. The platform also allows for easy access to personal health records, enabling patients to stay informed about their medical history and upcoming appointments.

Winner: eClinicalWorks wins due to its broader toolset for patient engagement, including AI-driven tools and lifestyle management.

Mobile Access

eClinicalWorks provides mobile access through its healow® app, empowering patients with features like appointment scheduling, medication management, and secure messaging. Users can manage appointments, request refills, and even conduct televisits. The healow suite also includes specialized apps like healow Mom for expectant mothers and healow Kids for parents.

Alternatively, Practice Fusion offers a mobile EHR solution compatible with iPad and Android tablets. Clinicians get HIPAA-compliant access via any browser, allowing them to manage charts, visits, and prescriptions without downloading apps or installing software. The platform supports secure messaging for seamless communication between providers and patients.

Winner: eClinicalWorks takes the lead due to its more feature-rich healow® app, offering specialized tools for different patient demographics, like expectant mothers and children.

Pricing Plans For eClinicalWorks And Practice Fusion

Choosing the right EHR or EMR system requires a thorough evaluation of pricing, given its significant effect on a practice’s financial health. A clear grasp of the pricing structures offered by eClinicalWorks and Practice Fusion is vital for ensuring that the selected solution aligns with your practice’s budgetary needs and operational goals.

eClinicalWorks Pricing Breakdown

eClinicalWorks offers three pricing plans without any startup fees to accommodate diverse healthcare practices:

EHR Only: $449/month/provider
EHR with Practice Management: $599/month/provider
RCM as a Service: 2.9% of practice collections

Practice Fusion Pricing Breakdown

Practice Fusion provides a straightforward pricing structure that starts at $149 per month per provider and includes implementation, training, and customer support. It requires an annual commitment which is billed monthly and is non-inclusive of taxes.

Comparing The Two

Comparing the pricing strategies of eClinicalWorks and Practice Fusion, it becomes clear that each caters to different operational setups and needs. eClinicalWorks presents a tiered pricing structure, allowing for predictable costs based on selected services. Conversely, Practice Fusion’s budget-friendly starting price makes it an appealing choice for smaller practices seeking specialized support without unexpected expenses.

What Users Report About The Software?

Users of eClinicalWorks report a range of experiences. Many appreciate the software’s unique toolset and comprehensive functionality, which includes effective scheduling, billing, and AI capabilities. Positive reviews highlight its user-friendly nature and the efficiency it brings to clinical workflows, particularly in boosting patient engagement.

However, some users have raised concerns about customer support. Additionally, a few have noted instances of system glitches which can affect the platform’s overall reliability and user experience.

In contrast Practice Fusion tends to receive more favorable feedback, with users often praising its intuitive interface and affordability. The cloud-based design allows for easy access and updates without requiring extensive IT resources. Reviewers commend its straightforward electronic prescribing and customizable charting features, which are especially appealing for smaller practices seeking an efficient EHR solution.

While some users mention that it may lack certain functionalities compared to larger systems and experience occasional bugs, Practice Fusion remains a highly recommended option for independent practitioners looking for a reliable EHR without the complications of more complex platforms.

The Final Word: Which One Best Fits Your Healthcare Practice?

Both eClinicalWorks and Practice Fusion offer strong EHR/EMR solutions with unique strengths. eClinicalWorks excels in patient engagement and advanced features, making it ideal for larger practices seeking comprehensive tools for both clinical and administrative functions.

On the other hand, Practice Fusion’s affordability, simplicity, and intuitive design cater well to independent practices looking for an accessible, user-friendly system. The best choice ultimately depends on the size, needs, and goals of your healthcare practice.

If you require assistance selecting the right software for your healthcare practice, feel free to contact Software Finder, we’re here to help you make the best choice!

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