Whether you're just starting the process or looking for something better, choosing the perfect EHR for your practice can be challenging. From cost to necessary features,this video takes you through the intricacies of a good, solid EHR and what you should consider before making your final choice. Topics include: - Industry Trends - How to Choose the Right Vendor - How to Make Sure the EHR Works for YOU

2. Your Presenter
Rhonda Yongue
Director of Strategic Accounts at CareOptimize

3. First Things First
38%
Implemented
because of
government
regulations
87%
Of office-based providers are on some sort of EHR1
40%
Of hospital executives are dissatisfied with
their current EHR2
22%
Implemented
because of
MU criteria
21%
Implemented
in an attempt
to lower costs
19%
Implemented
to improve
patient care
1https://dashboard.healthit.gov/quickstats/pages/physician-ehr-adoption-trends.php
2http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/ehr/survey-more-than-40-hospital-execs-unhappy-their-ehrs

4. Why Consider Another EHR?
28%
of providers are on their second EHR.
Solution does not meet practice’s individual needs.
The medical practice had not adequately assessed the
group’s needs before choosing the EHR.
Current Software Solution design is ill-fitted for their
particular medical practice or specialty.
Vendor response to needs and issues is poor.

5. The Biggest Challenge?
There are about
1100
EHR vendors

6. Things to Consider
Cost
Ease of Use
Cloud-based Hosting
Implementation and Training
Integration
Interoperability
Customer Service
Meaningful Use Certified/ICD10 Ready

7. Navigating MIPS TogetherCost: It’s Highly Variable
21% of providers say they will not
implement an EHR due to prohibitive costs
not offset by incentive payments
Prices are variable, depending on features
chosen.
45% of providers say they spent more
than $100,000 on an EHR.
Consult with Your Vendor to Determine:
= Initial licensing or activation costs and
what additional components you need
(usually a few thousand dollars)
= Subscription Costs - monthly fee
multiplied by # of providers (free to $750
per month per provider)

8. Navigating MIPS TogetherEase of Use

9. Cloud-Based Hosting
• Option is offered by most major EHR
vendors.
• There are no servers or hardware to
maintain in your office besides your
own computers.
• This is a relatively cheap way to
outsource the costs of IT maintenance
and technical support to the vendor.

10. Implementation and Training
• It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple
of months.
• Know what your vendor's plan is when it comes to
getting your system up and running.
• Some vendors offer physician and staff training.
• Occasionally, a vendor will offer one-on-one support
at no extra cost for a limited time after the system is
implemented.

11. Integration
• If you're not planning to buy new practice management or billing
software, be sure the EHR system you choose works with what you're
already running.
• Many vendors offer their own integrated systems at an additional fee.
If you're starting from scratch, it might be worth asking about an
integrated practice management/EHR system.

12. Interoperability
Useful Features
• E-prescribing
• Electronically ordering laboratory tests and results
This is a focus of the government's upcoming
Meaningful Use Stage 3.
Make sure your lab and pharmacy will be configured to interface properly
with your EHR system.
Talk to vendors about which interfaces they employ and whether or not
those are compatible with surrounding facilities in your area.

13. Customer Service Quality
Establish a good working
relationship with your vendor.
This is key to a successful transition to
a new EHR system.
Make sure the vendor will be
there to support you along the
way.
If their customer service is difficult to
reach or not particularly eager to
spend time answering your questions
before you buy, they might not be very
helpful when you're trying to figure out
your new system later.

14. Certified & Up-to-date
Ready for Meaningful Use
Your EHR needs to be compliant
with federal Meaningful Use
standards to determine
qualification for government
incentives.
This is crucial for attestation in
the Medicare incentive program,
where you could end up facing
reimbursement penalties, rather
than incentive payments.
Make sure your system is:
MIPS Certified
Up-to-date with ICD10 Codes
ICD-9 diagnostic codes
recently changed to the much
more comprehensive ICD-10
codes.
Invalid ICD-10 codes to payers
could result in rejections.
Ready for Reporting

15. Rhonda.Yongue@careoptimize.com
www.careoptimize.com
855.937.8475