How to Keep Cost Down In an EHR Implementation?

The advancement in technology has changed the healthcare industry. However, there are plenty of clinicians holding on to their paper-based record-keeping processes, trusting the manila-folder medical records.

The U.S. government incentivized the industry-wide shift to electronic health record software. Many doctors didn’t find the financial incentives compelling enough as it’s easy to understand that most of the EHR systems are too expensive, involve lengthy implementation, require employees to learn new processes, and are very costly.

Despite the hefty cost, there are many benefits from the change as an EHR systems can make it easier to deliver care to patients by:

• Furnishing accurate and updated information at the point of care.
• Providing quick access to patient health records.
• Enabling practices to securely share information with other doctors and patients.
• Provide complete details for accurate billing and coding
• Minimizing documentation errors and identical records.

Five Major Components of EHR Implementation:

The major components of EHR implementation are given below:

1. Hardware: Equipment required to manage EHR data might include servers, desktop/laptop computers, tablets, or smart devices.
2. EHR Software: The actual cost of the software whether the practice is purchasing the license for an on-site software deployment or subscribing to a cloud-based SaaS solution.
3. Implementation Cost: It involves the installation of the system that usually involves IT technicians or even electricians to rewire the office.
4. Training: Learning how to manage the EHR system can be a time-consuming process. Proper training must be given to staff to execute it properly as improper EHR systems management leads to increasing physician burnout.
5. Maintenance and Ongoing Fees: Recurring costs are common with EHR systems like any technology in the form of license renewals, support fees, and updated information.

How to Keep EHR Costs Down?

Get a Cloud-Based Solution:

Hardware-bound EHRs are more costly than Software-as-a-service (SaaS) or cloud based systems. No need for office-wide tech upgrades as cloud-based computing involves no costs associated with in-house servers.

Check Out for hidden fees:

Many EHR systems come with major discrepancies that might include poor load times, the least functionality, and more. Few vendors cost extra charges for training, support, licensing, or other things. This is why it is important to ask every aspect of the software before getting a company’s EHR.

Keep in mind your realistic budget:

Costs vary with additional services therefore, list down your requirements keeping in mind the budget before you start shopping. Speak with colleagues for vendor recommendations, talk to your medical billing service company about the tools and services they will provide to you, and finalize the decision after extensive research to avoid any loss.

Keep in mind long-term goals:

Pondering what’s more expensive than executing your first EHR. Make sure the system you choose will support your needs, compatible with your medical billing process, and take you towards improvement over the long term to make the wise decision and prevent any need of implementing the second EHR.

Do’s And Don’ts:

Ensure the better Workflows:

Make sure your entire team understands the benefits of a new solution. Walk-through to the EHR to ensure that it will adapt existing workflows to assist all the staff in enjoying productivity and improvements.  

Manage phased implementation:

If you have multiple office locations to set a new solution, scaling your deployments with time is the right way to avoid staff burnout. Furthermore, having all your teams switch to a new platform at once is not a good idea. There will more likely see minor problems grow out during the first few weeks on the new solution.

Activate staff to learn the software:

Most of the companies provide support of experienced staff members behind your EHR initiative. Best providers train their senior members to learn the software to ensure the software meets their unique needs. Make sure you activate staff to learn the software to achieve your goals.

Don’t overburden a small team:

You do not want to overwhelm your staff before deployment as it will be difficult to come with a viable solution. Make sure the folks you assign the duties of software can handle their duties well, which is very important. If necessary, bring in outside consultants to manage the most burdensome aspects of the implementation experience.

Check out MediFusion EHR Software for your practice:

We provide extremely cost effective EHR for practices to streamline your practice overall management as MediFusion’s EHR is cloud based that streamlines all your practices’ billing needs. If you’re interested in our services, contact us today, we’ll get started on improving your revenue cycle management.