Frequently asked EMR & EHR questions

1. What does EHR mean?

EHR or Electronic Health Records are digital versions patient's paper chart. Healthcare providers can prevent errors while increasing efficiency through their ability to capture, store, and share patient information digitally. EHR software is becoming more common among many doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. At the same time, EHR popular software offers many benefits, like sharing information with labs and specialists. Many providers still wonder if EHRs are suitable for them, how long it takes to implement, and how much it costs?

If you're seeking Software that offers a holistic view of a patient's health and improves patient care significantly, EHR/EMR software is a valuable asset. It adequately provides a range of features, including:

  • Patient information on medical history, medications, immunization, allergies, treatment plans, and lab results.
  • Doctors can use this Software to support their decision-making about patient care.
  • 24/7 access to documentation and reports.
  • Communication through texts, voice diction, and email messages.

2. What is an Electronic Medical Record or EMR?

An electronic medical record (EMR) contains the same information as paper charts, like medical history, diagnoses, medications, vaccination records, and allergies. Using an EMR, doctors can quickly track their patients' data over time and identify those who require follow-up care. In addition, EMR provides a clear insight into customer satisfaction and how well your practice performs.

3. What is the typical time frame for implementing an EHR system?

Unlike other providers, at 1st Providers Choice, we pride ourselves on our fast-tracked implementation. Our EHR, Medical Billing, EMR, and Practice Management Software takes 6-8 weeks to implement from start to finish.

4. What are the benefits of Health Information Exchange (HIE)?

HIE facilitates the coordination of patient care, reduces duplicate treatments, and prevents costly errors. The need for HIE is clear, and the benefits are substantial, as its gaining in popularity among health providers. It also tracks and secures patients' comprehensive medical histories. A few examples of HIE benefits include:

  • Increasing patient safety by reducing medication and medical errors.
  • Eliminating unnecessary paperwork and handling.
  • Providing tools to assist caregivers with clinical decision-making for more effective care and treatment.
  • Reduce redundant or unnecessary testing.
  • Monitor and report on public health better.
  • Allowing healthcare consumers access to their health information.
  • Enhance healthcare quality and outcomes.
  • Reduce the cost of health care.

5. How does an EHR system improve patient care?

ERHs seamlessly allow physicians to spend more time caring for patients by reducing the time spent manually charting patients, writing prescriptions, and accessing patient histories.

Furthermore, EHR software facilitates:

  • Refer to the previous notes.
  • Contribute to increased interoperability.
  • Improve communication between patients and physicians.

6. What is the appropriate way for physicians to demonstrate proficiency with Electronic Health Records?

EHR proficiency must be demonstrated in one of the following ways:

  • Participation in a Meaningful Use program.
  • Employed by a meaningful use program certified by CMS.
  • Credentialed to provide patient care at or under contractual agreement with an eligible hospital.
  • Access to The Massachusetts Health Information Highway, "Mass HIway," as either a participant or an authorized user.
  • The completion of three hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in EHR-related topics:
    • Core Objectives
    • Menu Objectives
    • Clinical Quality Measures for Meaningful Use.

    • These three EHR credits may be applied toward the ten risk management CPD credits required.

7. What are the advantages of Electronic Health Records?

A patient's electronic health record contains a myriad of health information about the patient and their health conditions. The advantages include:

  • Physicians and care teams share health information securely.
  • Caregivers and facilities can exchange clinical data for all clinicians involved in a patient's care.
  • Patient health information is readily available at the point of care.
  • Quick remote access to patient information.
  • With electronic health records, patients have easier access to documents and a complete picture of their overall health.
  • Reducing the unnecessary costs associated with paperwork previously used to capture patient information.
  • Electronic records can reduce prescriptions and medical errors.

8. How much does an EHR system cost?

Implementation costs for EHR systems vary depending on on-site or in the cloud. Web-based deployments, also called Software as a Service (SaaS), are more affordable because they eliminate infrastructure and support costs.

9. What are the differences between EMR & EHR?

It's easy to understand the difference between EMR and EHR when comparing "medical" and "health." EMRs give a broad view of a patient's medical history, while EHRs provide a more comprehensive evaluation of the patient's health.

  • EHRs allow the transfer of medical records between specialists, laboratories, imaging centers, emergency rooms, pharmacies, and other miscellaneous practices.
  • The primary purpose of EMRs is to diagnose and treat patients.
  • EHRs allow only authorized providers and staff from different organizations to access patient information.
  • EMRs are not accessible outside the practice.

The software conforms to what I need. It creates templates for all kinds of cases, so I don't have to say the same thing over and over again continually. But most of all, customer support is there for me. They are friendly, courteous, and willing to help in any way they can.

Dr. Philip C. Agrios
Tinton Falls, NJ

Read More Testimonials

Patient Dashboard

IMS’ Ambulatory Surgery Patient Dashboard offers a summary of all patient information stored within the EMR. Here, Ambulatory Surgery Center specialists can view data such as demographics, problems, medications and more.

Benefits
  • Get important information at-a-glance
  • Better understand your patients’ health
  • Make more informed decisions
EMR EHR software

MIPS/MACRA Dashboard

Manage and track your Ambulatory Surgery MIPS/MACRA progress with our interactive MIPS/MACRA Reporting module. Gather real-time indicators of current MIPS/MACRA levels, view percentages of compliancy and more.


Benefits

  • Ensure attestation objectives are met
  • Meet MIPS/MACRA requirements
  • Monitor problem areas daily
EMR EHR software

Doctor Task List

IMS' Personal Ambulatory Surgery Doctor Task List alerts doctors and staff about unfinished tasks that can affect patient care. This includes notifications regarding lab results, unsigned visit notes and more.


Benefits

  • Track patient care from start to finish
  • Improve intra-office communication
  • Achieve maximum productivity
  • Improve office workflow
EMR EHR software

Talk Notes

With IMS' Ambulatory Surgery Talk Notes speech recognition feature, Ambulatory Surgery Center specialists can dictate notes in screens throughout the EMR and receive them immediately for review.


Benefits

  • Improve the completeness of notes
  • Save on transcription costs
  • Improve productivity
  • Simplify workflow
EMR EHR software

Alerts and Reminders

Fully integrated modules within IMS alert doctors and staff of important tasks related to patient care. This includes follow-up appointments, specialist referrals, medication management, and many more.


Benefits

  • Improve preventive care efforts
  • Increase practice productivity
  • Provide better patient care
  • Customize alerts to your specialty
EMR EHR software

Attorney Portal

IMS' Ambulatory Surgery Attorney Portal provide attorneys with access to necessary medical documentation, such as itemized bills, reports and disability slips, for their ongoing personal injury and Workers' Compensation cases.


Benefits

  • Eliminate paper-based processes
  • Better serve your users
  • Increase staff productivity
  • Meet HIPAA standards
EMR EHR software

Doctor/Provider Portal

With IMS' Ambulatory Surgery doctor/provider portal, Ambulatory Surgery Center specialists can use self-service tools to access messages, communicate with patients, and more. The portal also ties into the use of our telemedicine system.


Benefits

  • Meet MIPS requirements
  • Manage patient accounts online
  • Improve care coordination
  • Streamline workflow
EMR EHR software

Center Care Plan

With IMS' Ambulatory Surgery Center Care Plan come up with a care plan for your patients, and IMS EMR will generate a patient education handout based on the selected diagnosis and condition.


Benefits

  • Increase patient engagement
  • Improve quality of care
EMR EHR software

Center Patient Portal

Involve patients in their health care by offering access to an online patient portal. With our Ambulatory Surgery Center Patient Portal, your patients will be able to view visit summaries and test results, request medication refills, and much more.


Benefits

  • Streamline administrative processes
  • Reduce workload
  • Increase patient satisfaction
  • Meet MIPS requirements
EMR EHR software

E-Rx

Manage patient medications with IMS' Ambulatory Surgery E-Rx module. Our EMR features fax and electronic prescription submission, medication tracking, dosing information, and more.


Benefits

  • Streamline prescription management
  • Reduce data entry errors
  • Increase patient safety
  • Meet MIPS requirements
EMR EHR software

Labs & Diagnostic

With IMS' Ambulatory Surgery Labs & Diagnostic module submit lab orders and diagnostic tests electronically and track results directly through your EMR. Receive a notification as soon as results are received and quickly file them in the patient's chart.


Benefits

  • Track patient care more efficiently
  • Make better use of office resources
  • Meet MIPS requirements
  • Streamline workflow
EMR EHR software

Patient Electronic Health Record

Document patient visits quickly and easily with IMS' ASC EMR templates. Use our intuitive visit notes, customize them to meet your unique charting needs, or create your own.


Benefits

  • Increase efficiency
  • Improve documentation
  • Enhance patient care
EMR EHR software

Patient Special Search

IMS' Ambulatory Surgery Patient Special Search powerful feature allows specialists to query their patient population for particular reasons, by searching on any box or field within the EMR.


Benefits

  • Send correspondence to multiple patients
  • Generate lists by specific condition
  • Export queried lists for future reference
EMR EHR software

Voice Recognition

With speeds of up to 160 words per minute and accuracy in the 98 to 99 percentile range, using voice recognition software for medical documentation has never been easier.


Benefits

  • Reduce documentation time
  • See fewer errors
  • Improve quality of care
EMR EHR software

Vitals Interface

With IMS, patient vitals can be transferred wirelessly from your vitals device to the EMR. Vitals auto-populate in the patient's chart, eliminating data entry and reducing errors.


Benefits

  • Facilitates efficient data transfer
  • Meets HIPAA standards
  • Compliant with HL7, CCD, CCR
EMR EHR software

Advanced Clinical Editor

IMS' advanced claims scrubbing technology allows Ambulatory Surgery Center specialists to check for claim errors in real time, eliminate denials, and expedite the payment process.
Benefits
  • Submit clean claims the first time
  • Avoid processing delays
  • Reduce denials
  • Streamline workflow
EMR EHR software

Electronic Patient Statements

Transmit patient statements electronically and resolve collection issues more efficiently with our automated statement processing service.


Benefits

  • Increase efficiency
  • Reduce accounts receivable
  • Eliminate forms and paper-based costs
EMR EHR software

Electronic Super Bill

Create electronic super bills directly from your ASC EMR for quick and simplified charge entry. You can even customize the super bills to meet the needs of each provider in your practice.


Benefits

  • Capture all charges from your patient visits
  • Reduce paper expenses
  • Eliminate lost or missing forms
EMR EHR software

Revenue Cycle Management

Streamline office functions, see fewer missed payments, and help your Ambulatory Surgery Center run more efficiently than ever with IMS' Revenue Cycle Management software.


Benefits

  • Automate data entry
  • Maximize revenue
  • Increase productivity
EMR EHR software

CPT Code Advisor

IMS' CPT Coding Advisor will review factors such as HPI and time spent with the patient and recommend appropriate E&M codes to ensure that payer documentation needs are adequately met.


Benefits

  • Pre-screen claims automatically
  • Check authorization requirements
  • Reduce denials
EMR EHR software

Patient Payment Solutions

Our EMR-integrated patient payment solution allows providers to securely collect payments from patients in person, online, and over the phone.


Benefits

  • Provide multiple payment options
  • Increase revenue
  • Improve patient satisfaction
EMR EHR software

Check-In/Check-Out

IMS' check-in/check-out feature allows staff to manage patients as they move about the office during their visit. This starts with the initial intake and ends at check out.


Benefits

  • Keep track of patients
  • Improve intra-office communication
  • Effectively manage office resources
EMR EHR software

Check-In

Achieve a truly paperless environment with IMS' patient check-in module. It covers all aspects of the intake process from updating patient data to collecting co-pays or co-insurances.


Benefits

  • Achieve maximum efficiency
  • Streamline workflow
  • Reduce check-in time
EMR EHR software

Check-Out

Ensure that all pending items are resolved before patients leave your office. Our Ambulatory Surgery check-out feature will prompt you to schedule follow-up appointments, collect the patient responsibility, and more.


Benefits

  • Increase collections
  • Make better use of staff resources
  • Improve patient satisfaction
EMR EHR software

Letters/Forms Automation

IMS EMR features ASC-specific forms and letters that providers in your field use most. You also have the option of generating custom documents with the input fields of your choice.


Benefits

  • Eliminate paper forms
  • Save time
  • Improve productivity
EMR EHR software

Patient Appointment Scheduling

With an intuitive, customizable appointment scheduler, doctors and staff can easily manage patient appointments – including schedules for multiple offices and providers.


Benefits

  • Reduce missed surgeries
  • Improve facility productivity
  • Eliminate overbookings
EMR EHR software

Patient Check-In Kiosk

Save time and money by allowing patients to check in, update demographics, provide an electronic signature, and more at an easy-to-use check-in kiosk.


Benefits

  • Streamline patient registration
  • Reduce waiting time at check-in
  • Use staff resources more efficiently
EMR EHR software

Patient Phone Reminders

IMS’ Interactive Patient Phone Reminders service integrates with the appointment scheduling software to ensure that all of your patients receive voice, text and/or email reminders about their upcoming appointments.


Benefits

  • Use live-person and automated reminders
  • Decrease missed appointments
  • Increase productivity
  • Improve patient satisfaction
EMR EHR software

Authorization Tracking

IMS' powerful Authorization Tracking module will help your Ambulatory Surgery Center practice track and manage all patient authorizations from one place in your EMR.


Benefits

  • Pre-validate procedures quickly and easily
  • Make better use of staff resources
  • Improve productivity
EMR EHR software

Eligibility Tracking

Determine the status of your patients' insurance coverage prior to the date of service with IMS' eligibility verification module.


Benefits

  • Reduce rejected claims
  • Save staff time
  • Increase revenue
  • Improve patient relationships
EMR EHR software

Fax Integration

With IMS' integrated fax module, Ambulatory Surgery Center specialists can send faxed documents directly into patients' charts without scanning and fax patient data from the EMR.


Benefits

  • Reduce paper and printing costs
  • Improve productivity
  • Maximize efficiencies
  • Enhance workflows
EMR EHR software

Patient Documents

Create a custom list of folders and subfolders to manage documents stored in each of your patients' charts. Documents can then be faxed or emailed directly from the EMR.


Benefits

  • Organize documents more efficiently
  • Easily find pertinent information
  • Increase productivity
EMR EHR software

Patient Statement Preview List

Preview patient statements in an easy-to-navigate format, and schedule statements to send out on a weekly or biweekly basis.


Benefits

  • Improve productivity
  • Increase practice revenue
  • Maximize efficiency
EMR EHR software

Point of Sales Module

From bar code scanning to inventory management, IMS' point of sale capabilities will allow you to run a more efficient practice by ensuring you have the right supplies on hand at all times.


Benefits

  • Streamline the check-out process
  • Increase profits
  • Maximize efficiency
EMR EHR software

Marketing Module

Help make marketing decisions, keep track of marketing expenses, and take advantage of custom reporting capabilities with our EMR-integrated marketing module.


Benefits

  • Manage and organize leads
  • Increase revenue
  • Improve patient recall and retention
EMR EHR software

Health Maintenance Tracking

Keep track of patients' health with IMS' health maintenance tracking feature. Physicians receive alerts when things are due, when patients need a follow-up call, when lab results are in, and more.


Benefits

  • Improve patient health
  • Provide better care quality
  • Increase patient satisfaction
  • Improve practice efficiencies
EMR EHR software

EMR & Billing Reporting Graphs

Find out how your practice is doing by running billing reports and graphs with a click of a button. Graphs can be generated by provider, insurance carrier, procedure, referring provider, and more.


Benefits

  • Monitor your practice's finances
  • Increase collections
EMR EHR software

Referral Tracking

With IMS' referral tracking module, Ambulatory Surgery Center specialists can track incoming and outgoing referrals, manage referral sources, and market to referring providers in their area.


Benefits

  • Streamline communication
  • Build relationships with other providers
  • Improve productivity
EMR EHR software

Reports Center

Create a variety of reports – everything from billing to MIPS – to help manage your Ambulatory Surgery Center as efficiently as possible.


Benefits

  • Meet MIPS Requirements
  • Monitor practice goals
  • Maximize efficiencies
  • Make better use of staff resources
EMR EHR software