Back in 2013, as EHR/EMR adoption seemed to soar as a result of government health IT incentive programs and more than $17.7 billion paid in EHR incentive payments. But physicians in solo and small practices did not seem to follow this trend for mainly financial reasons; despite the possibility of government incentive money, the out-of-pocket cost to purchase and implement an EHR/EMR were, at the time, perceived by solo practitioners as too great of a financial burden.

But now, just three years later, 70 percent of small and solo physician practices across all medical and surgical specialties have stated their confidence in cloud-based systems, as opposed to server-based systems. In a 2016 Black Book Ambulatory Survey, 66 percent of specialists changing systems report only reviewing cloud-based EHRs – mostly due to cost factors. The adoption rate of cloud-based EHRs in small urban practices has increased from 60 percent in 2013 to 82 percent in 2015. Below we’re listing some of the things to look for when choosing an EHR system for your small practice.

There is no denying that the EHR is here to stay – and practices not willing to implement health IT are quickly going to become obsolete. So what can small and solo practices do to not get left behind?

The answer: Choosing a MACRA-ready, 2014 certified, iPad-native, cloud-based EHR system with no setup fees, and free training and support.

This is why:

• MACRA-ready software will ensure success in a drastically changing payment landscape. Lately there has been a lot of buzz around the uncertain future and survival of the small practice under MACRA and MIPS. There’s no reason to worry; practices who provide good patient care and invest in MACRA-ready software will see success under the new legislation.
• One reason doctors in solo practices might be opposed to implementing EHR technology is the fear of losing the face-to-face patient bond, and instead end up spending more time in front of a computer. With an iPad-native EHR, physicians are able to chart at the point of care, while still focusing on the patient.
• Choosing a cloud-based EHR system means that there are no expensive servers to purchase and set up, and no need to hire an IT team to maintain them. Your vendor should automatically upgrade your system to the latest version for free.
• Many EHR systems come with costly setup fees that can be a deal breaker for smaller practices. Choose a system with no setup fees to get your new EHR technology up and running at minimal or no cost.
• Sufficient training is an important part of EHR user satisfaction, and your EHR vendor should be providing it for free. A quality EHR product should also come with free support and be able to provide your practice with additional training until you feel completely comfortable using the system.

How Can a Small/Solo Practice Benefit From an EHR/EMR System

With iClaim & EMRx, we aim to help bridge the gap between smaller and larger practices when it comes to EHR use. Our cloud-based EHR software was not only one of the first ambulatory systems to achieve Meaningful Use Stage 2 certification and ICD-10 readiness well before the ICD-10 transition.

Purchasing an EHR system can cost over $50,000 in the first year alone. This is why our integrated solution is offered on an affordable subscription basis – with no setup fees, no upgrade fees, no training or support fees, and no long-term contracts. And since EMRx was designed for the iPad, doctors can perform an entire visit from start to finish in the exam room – with no extra homework. Of course, it also works on the hardware a medical office already has: laptops, desktops, tablets, smartphones, Windows or Mac.

Don’t end up getting left behind. Take the e-Tour today, to find out if iClaim/EMRx is the right choice for your new business.