Introduction
Continuous developments in healthcare technology have led to a massive increase in the number of practice management systems that are currently available.
Essentially (and you probably already know this), practice management software is integrated with features that help healthcare businesses streamline administrative processes. This could include appointment scheduling, medical billing, patient engagement and clinical documentation.
By utilizing these systems, you are giving your practice the best shot at elevating its services and delivering high quality healthcare solutions to patients in need.
However, although having many different options to choose from is a good thing, sometimes it can be overwhelming. But don’t worry, that’s why we’re here. We’ve done a lot of research into the different practice management systems available and are here to offer some alternatives to Allscripts, a platform you have likely heard of or may already have in place.
Let’s get started!
What is Allscripts?
Allscripts has developed an all-in-one platform that aims to streamline various functions for healthcare businesses. They have adopted an approach based on three principles - people, process, and technology - in order to address the needs of healthcare practices. With over 24,000 providers using their system, Allscripts is integrated with the following features, all of which help to elevate the administrative and clinical processes of your practice:
- Electronic health records (EHR)
- Revenue cycle management
- Telehealth
- Analytics
- Mobile health solutions
Allscripts is also HIPAA-compliant, ensuring that the privacy of your patients is taken seriously, and your own business processes are protected. Allscripts additionally utilizes role-based permission levels, which essentially means only authorized users can access certain types of data. This type of security is absolutely essential in the healthcare field, and will ensure your PHI is adequately protected.
However, although we don’t want to undermine the good work that Allscripts has done for the healthcare industry, the platform is not without its disadvantages.
Poor customer support
There are quite a lot of user reviews indicating Allscripts poor customer service. When you invest in a practice management system, the last thing you want is to have your needs overlooked by the platform. Unfortunately, this is an area that Allscripts needs to do a bit of work on.
Contractual obligations
Allscripts has certain contractual obligations that can make it difficult for healthcare practices who are looking to swap EMRs. Although we understand why the platform wants to keep its customers, forcing them to stay definitely feels a bit dodgy.
Additional costs
With Allscripts, your practice can incur additional costs through ongoing service and various upgrades. This can make using the most updated technology very expensive for healthcare practices, which is particularly frustrating considering they are already paying for the system!
For full details regarding Allscript and pricing, get in touch with the platform directly.
Top 5 Allscripts Alternatives
So now you know the different pros and cons of Allscripts, let’s take a look at some of the available alternatives.
Carepatron
Carepatron is the number one alternative, and for good reason. An all-in-one practice management system, Carepatron has been repeatedly shown to improve a wide range of different processes within healthcare businesses. With a focus on patient engagement, effective communication, transparent protocols and affordability, Carepatron is guaranteed to elevate your healthcare practice, all while maintaining HIPAA compliance.
So how exactly does Carepatron work? Here are some of the best benefits of implementing Carepatron into your practice:
Streamlined processes
Every healthcare business is looking for ways to optimize their processes. With Carepatron, you can elevate your documentation, scheduling, workflow and billing, all while saving significant amounts of time.
Patient engagement
Maintaining positive relationships between providers and patients is one of the most important aspects of working in the healthcare industry. Carepatron’s platform assists in the development of these relationships by focusing on increased patient engagement, communication and transparency. With a patient portal (through which patients can access payment and appointment information), your practice will be able to foster meaningful client relationships.
Reduced no-shows
With sophisticated automated appointment reminders, Carepatron can reduce no-shows by up to 99%. These reminders can be customized and tailored to each of your patients and include information regarding the date, time and location of the upcoming session. No-shows are an unfortunate reality for many healthcare businesses, but with Carepatron’s effective reminder software, you can focus on reducing them and saving your business money and time.
Other features integrated into Carepatron’s platform:
- Advanced scheduling capabilities
- Mobile health
- Medical billing and coding
- Fantastic customer support
- Clinical note templates
- Documentation assistance and storage
- Telehealth solutions at no additional cost
Pricing
Many practices are looking to invest in effective practice management systems without breaking the bank - and Carepatron understands this. The pricing plans on offer are as follows:
- Starter Plan: Free
- Professional Plan: $12 USD per user/month
- Organization Plan: $19 USD per user/month
What are you waiting for? Get started with Carepatron now! 🎉
TheraNest
TheraNest is a cloud-based practice management system that has been designed with mental health practitioners in mind. TheraNest is integrated with a range of different capabilities that can assist solo practitioners or larger groups, making it a suitable option for practices wanting to grow. Some of the features that TheraNest have on offer include:
- Telehealth solutions
- Clinical documentation
- Scheduling for individual, group and telehealth sessions
- Customizable note templates
- E-prescriptions
TheraNest pros
Online payment options
Healthcare practices should be constantly looking for ways to improve their billing process. TheraNest is integrated with online payment options, allowing clients to make payments through their portal. Not only does this simplify the process for patients, but it reduces the workload of administrative staff.
Intuitive interface
TheraNest’s user interface is very intuitive, making it easy for new clients to adapt to. Not everyone is an expert at using technology, so selecting a system that is easy to navigate will make the implementation process much more seamless.
TheraNest cons
Scheduling
TheraNest has some issues with its scheduling. Although the system says it can schedule recurring appointments, users report issues with start times. There are additional concerns regarding the ability to customize appointment lengths and the follow-up sessions.
Pricing
- $39 monthly for under 30 clients
- $60 monthly for under 50 clients
- $91 monthly for under 80 clients
DrChrono
DrChrono is an EHR system that has clinical and administrative support features tailored to different healthcare fields. Depending on the size of your business and your specific needs, DrChrono can help you achieve growth through its web-based software. Some of the features included in DrChrono’s platform include:
- Electronic health records
- Telehealth solutions
- Medical billing
- Revenue cycle management
- Patient portal
- Mobile health
DrChrono is also HIPAA-compliant, which is an absolute must for practice management systems. The platform takes security seriously and ensures adequate physical and electronic safeguards are in place to protect your PHI.
DrChrono pros
Customization
DrChrono is integrated with customizable features, including their clinical note templates. This allows practitioners to make necessary changes to documents while still utilizing the helpful resources.
Payment system
Users report that DrChrono’s billing capabilities effectively elevate payments and reimbursement within their practices. Online payment options help ensure practitioners get paid on time.
DrChrono cons
Interface is difficult to navigate
DrChrono’s system can be quite tricky to navigate. Although it offers robust solutions, figuring out how to maximize using these takes a lot of time, which undermines what the platform is supposed to do for healthcare practices.
Customer support
It is also quite hard to get in touch with live customer support, which is particularly problematic if your practice needs instant assistance.
Pricing
DrChrono has four plans - Prometheus, Hippocrates, Apollo and Apollo Plus. In order to find specific pricing, they request you get in touch directly.
WebPT
WebPT offers practice management software designed for physical therapists and other rehabilitation practitioners. WebPT’s platform has a variety of solutions depending on the size of your business and your specific specialty. WebPT is integrated with the following features:
- Digital patient intake
- Analytics
- Appointment scheduling
- Billing software
- Patient retention and activation
WebPT’s billing software has recently been upgraded and it is accessible in two plans: Therabill (for smaller organizations) and WebPT billing (for larger organizations).
WebPT pros
Billing options
WebPT’s billing software is robust. It streamlines the billing process within your healthcare practice, helping physicians get paid faster and reducing the likelihood of claim rejections and denials.
WebPT cons
Cancelation process is complicated
Users have reported it being difficult to cancel their plan with WebPT. Choosing to implement a new platform into your business is always a risk, and you want to feel confident that you can back out at any time if it’s not the right fit for you.
Poor customer support
WebPTs customer service is sometimes hard to get hold of. When issues occur, it’s extremely important that you can access relevant support teams in order to resolve the problem as soon as possible.
Pricing
WebPT offers three pricing plans:
- Lite Plan: $3/day per provider
- Standard: $6/day per provider
- Enterprise: custom pricing, contact WebPT directly.
Simple Practice
Simple Practice has been in the healthcare software field for a while. With a robust set of practice management features, Simple Practice has been repeatedly shown to elevate the processes within healthcare businesses. The platform is entirely HIPAA-compliant and cloud-based, offering the following features:
- Clinical documentation management and storage
- Telehealth solutions
- Medical billing
- Appointment scheduling
- Patient portal
- Appointment reminders
- Clinical note templates
Simple Practice pros
Free trial
Simple Practice offers a 30 day free trial, allowing your practice to spend some time assessing whether the platform is a good fit.
Telehealth
The telehealth solutions that Simple Practice offer are very good, and allow practitioners to access patients in need remotely.
Simple Practice cons
Software is a bit clunky
The platform has been around for a while now, and the software they use hasn’t been developed overly well. The platform can feel a bit outdated and clunky, which is definitely not what you want when you invest in a practice management system.
Pricing
Simple Practice offers three pricing plans:
- Starter: $29/month
- Essential: $69/month
- Plus: $99/month
Tips for choosing the best practice management software
Now that you’ve been given a bit of an insight into some of the best alternatives to Allscripts, we thought we’d outline some other useful strategies to keep in mind. Although every healthcare business will prioritize different components of practice management, here are our top tips for choosing the best software:
- Compliance: Working in the healthcare industry, I’m sure you know just how important healthcare compliance is. When you decide to invest into a practice management system, you are required under HIPAA regulations to enter into a BAA (business associate agreement). Additionally, it is your responsibility to assess the security measures they have in place and ensure all of your PHI and ePHI is being protected adequately.
- Implementation: Implementing a new practice management system into your business is bound to be disruptive. Choosing a cloud-based system will mean you don’t have to purchase any new hardware or software and the platform can be accessible from the web. Not only does this save you money, but it will make the transition process much more seamless.
- Training: It can take a bit of time getting used to a new platform. Before you decide which system to go with, double check that they offer training (either virtually or in-person). Training programs will allow new users to pick up the ropes quickly and ensure that the platform is being optimized.
- Get reviews: One of the best ways to find out whether a practice management system is actually good is to ask those who are currently using it! Reach out to local healthcare practices and check what platforms they are using. This is a great way to get genuine feedback about potential systems.
Conclusion
Picking the perfect practice management software can be hard, but hopefully this guide has given you some direction. The opportunities that these platforms offer healthcare businesses are endless, and with the right system, you’ll be able to achieve growth and optimize your processes.
We wish you the best of luck in your search for a fantastic platform and hopefully you’ve learnt a thing or two about what you should be looking out for.
If you’re interested in learning about some other practice management solutions, check out the following articles:
- Best Power Diary alternatives (features and pricing)
- Best Cliniko alternatives (features and pricing)
- Best Theranest alternatives (features and pricing)
- Best Counsol alternatives (features and pricing)
- Best Therapy Notes alternatives (features and pricing)
- Best Nookal alternatives (features and pricing)
- Best My Clients Plus alternatives (features and pricing)
- Best Halaxy alternatives (features and pricing)