When it comes to running a successful medical practice, having the right electronic health record (EHR) system in place is crucial. Not only do EHRs streamline patient care and administrative tasks, but they also play a critical role in meeting regulatory requirements and staying competitive in the healthcare market. But with so many options available, how do you choose the right EHR for your practice? In this article, we will compare two popular options: Liquid EHR and Athenahealth EHR. We'll take a look at the features, reviews, pricing, and more to help you decide which system is the best fit for your practice.

Liquid EHR Features

Liquid EHR is a web-based EHR system designed for small to mid-sized medical practices. It offers a range of features to help manage patient care, including:

  • Patient portals: Patients can access their health information and communicate with their providers through a secure online portal.
  • Appointment scheduling: The system allows for easy scheduling and rescheduling of appointments, as well as online appointment booking for patients.
  • Billing management: Liquid EHR includes tools for managing insurance claims and patient billing, including integrated credit card processing.
  • E-prescribing: Providers can send prescriptions electronically to participating pharmacies.
  • Reporting and analytics: The system generates real-time reports on patient visits, billing, and other practice metrics.

Liquid EHR Reviews

Overall, reviews for Liquid EHR are mixed. Many users praise the system for its ease of use and flexibility, with one user stating, "Liquid EHR is a great system for managing patient information and scheduling appointments. It's user-friendly and easy to navigate." However, some users have reported issues with customer support and system glitches. One user states, "The system is prone to crashing and customer support is not very helpful."

While some users have had negative experiences with customer support, others have found the support team to be responsive and helpful. One user writes, "The customer support team is excellent and always available to help with any issues or questions." Additionally, many users appreciate the system's streamlined patient portals and appointment scheduling features, which make it easy to manage patient care and administrative tasks.

Athenahealth EHR Features

Athenahealth EHR is a cloud-based EHR system designed for medical practices of all sizes. It offers a range of features, including:

  • Cloud-based storage: Athenahealth EHR stores patient data in the cloud, allowing for easy access and collaboration among providers.
  • Population health management: The system includes tools for identifying and managing high-risk patient populations.
  • Revenue cycle management: Athenahealth EHR includes tools for managing insurance claims and patient billing, including integrated credit card processing.
  • E-prescribing: Providers can send prescriptions electronically to participating pharmacies.
  • Reporting and analytics: The system generates real-time reports on patient visits, billing, and other practice metrics.

Athenahealth EHR Reviews

Athenahealth EHR has received mixed reviews from customers. Some users praise the system for its ease of use and flexibility, while others have reported issues with customer support and system glitches. Some users also find the system's cloud-based storage, population health management, and revenue cycle management features useful while others found the system to be expensive. 

Some customers have also reported that Athenahealth EHR's customer support is more responsive and helpful than others. Overall, it's important to evaluate the specific needs of your medical practice and do your research before making a decision on Athenahealth EHR.

Pricing and Contract Terms

Pricing and contract terms for Athenahealth EHR can vary depending on the specific needs of a medical practice. The system is typically offered through a subscription model, with options for monthly or yearly payments. Long-term contracts may also be available, which can offer discounts on the overall cost of the system.

Athenahealth EHR pricing can be considered more expensive compared to other EHR systems like Liquid EHR. It's important to note that the cost may vary depending on the number of users, modules, and additional services needed. Additionally, it's important to consider the cost of implementation, training, and ongoing support when evaluating the overall cost of the system. It's recommended to contact Athenahealth EHR sales team to get a quote for your specific practice.

Integrations and Compatibility

Both Liquid EHR and Athenahealth EHR integrate with a variety of other systems, such as lab and imaging systems. Both systems also offer APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) to allow for custom integrations with other systems. However, it's worth noting that Athenahealth EHR offers more extensive integrations with other systems, such as practice management and revenue cycle management systems.

User Interface and Ease of Use

Both Liquid EHR and Athenahealth EHR have user-friendly interfaces that are easy to navigate. However, some users have reported that Athenahealth EHR has a more advanced and customizable interface, while Liquid EHR may have a simpler interface that's easier to navigate for beginners.

Customer Support and Training

Both Liquid EHR and Athenahealth EHR offer customer support and training options. However, some users have reported that Athenahealth EHR's customer support is more responsive and helpful than Liquid EHR's. Training options for both systems include online tutorials, webinars, and in-person training.

Scalability and Flexibility

Both Liquid EHR and Athenahealth EHR are scalable and flexible to accommodate growing practices. However, Athenahealth EHR is considered more scalable and flexible, as it can support larger practices and more advanced features compared to Liquid EHR.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both Liquid EHR and Athenahealth EHR offer a range of features to help manage patient care and administrative tasks. However, depending on the size and needs of your medical practice, one system may be a better fit than the other. Liquid EHR is a more affordable option for small practices, while Athenahealth EHR offers more extensive integrations and scalability for larger practices. Ultimately, the decision will come down to your specific needs and preferences, so it's important to do your research and consider a demo or trial of each system before making a final decision.