What to consider when choosing an EHR
What is an EHR?
An EHR, or electronic health record, is perhaps one of the most important components of your private practice. It is the place where you document sessions, maintain client records, schedule appointments, and more. There are a ton of EHR’s choose from. This guide will walk you through what factors you should consider when choosing an EHR.
Customer Support
You will inevitably need customer support at some point. Perhaps there is a billing issue, or a client can’t log on to a session, or your calendar is down. In these moments you want customer support that is quick and effective. Be sure that whatever EHR you choose has good customer support. It’s a bonus if there is access to an agent either by phone or instant messaging.
HIPAA Compliant Method of Communication
Therapists are required to provide their clients with access to a HIPAA compliant method of communication. You can certainly purchase a HIPAA compliant email service, but if your EHR comes with a built in messenger, you can save yourself a pretty penny.
Client Portal - HIPAA Compliant Way to Share Documents
In addition to being able to message with clients in a HIPAA compliant way, you will also want a secure way to share documents and forms. This is often referred to as a client portal. Some client portals allow for online scheduling which is another nice feature to have. At the very least, make sure your EHR allows you to share documents with your clients.
Integrated Telehealth Service
You can quickly become overwhelmed with all the services you need to operate a private practice. There are EHR’s, ALMA, Headway, PyschologyToday, Zoom, Quickbooks, and more. It’s best to simplify as much as you can. This is why it’s helpful to choose an EHR that has a built in tele-health platform that allows you to host virtual sessions within the EHR. This eliminates the need for Zoom, which will save you some money. Additionally, this will integrate with your calendar allowing for automatic reminders for both providers and patients.
Integrates with Insurance
If you choose to panel with insurers independently, you will want to be sure that your EHR allows you to submit claims. This is a must. Be sure that your EHR allows for insurance billing and claim submission. Your EHR should make this process extremely simple. Without this integration, it will be a massive pain to submit claims.
Customizable Notes and Forms
You will want an EHR that allows you to customize your notes and forms. You will need to personalize your intake packet, your note templates, and more. Be sure your EHR allows for this kind of customization.
Electronic Signatures
Make sure your EHR allows for both the client and the provider to electronically sign documents. Figure out all the forms you use that require a signature and check to make sure your EHR allows for these e-signatures. Without this feature, you will waste a ton of time trying to figure out how to obtain signatures.
Access to All Types of Notes and Documents
Make sure your EHR provides access to all the different types of notes and forms you will need to use. For example, does it allow for the creation of a treatment plan? What about scales and tools, like the PHQ9 or GAD7? Some EHR’s look nice on the surface, but they don’t allow you to create a treatment plan. Take an inventory of what you need now, think about what you may need in the future, and pick an EHR you can grow into.
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