# What Is Electronic Medical Records Software? | Capterra > Electronic medical records (EMR) software is critical for medical professionals who are looking to streamline processes and improve practice efficiency. Source: https://www.capterra.com/resources/what-is-electronic-medical-records-software --- Electronic Medical and Health RecordsHealth & Medical # What Is Electronic Medical Records Software? Key Insights for New Users Written by: Collin Couey Collin CoueyAuthor Collin Couey is a senior content writer at Capterra, covering medical and construction technologies, with a focus on emerging medical and construction indust... [See bio & all articles](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/ccouey/) and edited by: Carolyn Santa Maria Carolyn Santa MariaEditor Carolyn Santa Maria is a senior editor at Capterra. Carolyn has been working in content for more than five years as an editor. With her keen eye for detail, ... [See bio & all articles](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/carolyn-santa-maria/) Published August 2, 2024 8 min read Table of Contents - [What is EMR software and why is it important?](#what-is-emr-software-and-why-is-it-important) - [Key features of EMR software](#key-features-of-emr-software) - [What are the benefits of using EMR software?](#what-are-the-benefits-of-using-emr-software) - [Considerations when looking for EMR software](#considerations-when-looking-for-emr-software) - [Ready to start your search for EMR software?](#ready-to-start-your-search-for-emr-software) ## Learn the ins and outs of EMR software with data and insights from experts. Your business might be suffering from inefficiencies that make it hard for your staff to complete tasks in a timely manner while also trying to maintain a level of patient experience and satisfaction that will lead to more referrals. An [electronic medical records system (EMR)](https://www.capterra.com/electronic-medical-records-software/) will alleviate many of those inefficiencies, making your practice more streamlined and productive, while freeing up your staff to focus on those important patient relationships. But if you’re a small to midsize practice owner or office administrator currently looking to find and implement this software for the first time (or if you are switching systems and looking for a new one), you might find that the sheer amount of software options is overwhelming, and it’s difficult to find the one that fits your practice perfectly. Below, we’ll cover the basics of EMR software so you can begin your search with a better understanding and come prepared when going into vendor conversations. Along the way, we’ll weave in insights from one of our advisors, Lexi Smith [\[1\]](#sources), to give you a firsthand account of what it’s like to use EMR software. ## What is EMR software and why is it important? An [EMR](https://www.capterra.com/electronic-medical-records-software/) automates the documentation, storage, and retrieval of patient records. Solutions offer a range of tools to streamline data entry, automate diagnosis and CPT code selection, and minimize required paper records. They also minimize transcription costs, provide up-to-date patient histories, and reduce the turnaround time for patient visits and lab result retrieval. _An example of patient data interface in an EMR (_[_Source_](https://www.capterra.com/p/98735/athenaOne/)_)_ EMR software helps to improve coordination between healthcare providers by centralizing relevant medical records related to a patient. You can plug in information about any consultations, examinations, or previous prescriptions your patients have had in order to have the most up-to-date patient history. EMR software is sometimes confused with electronic health record (EHR) software, and the two terms are often used interchangeably. The difference between EMR and EHR software comes down to functionality. EMRs are solutions that can only be used by a healthcare provider and are not meant to be shared outside of one practice or group of practices. EHRs, on the other hand, are digital records of patients’ entire health history. They can contain information from multiple healthcare providers and are designed to be interoperable, meaning they can be easily and safely shared between different practices. Smith points out that one of the major benefits of using EMR is telehealth, particularly for practices that focus on psychology or psychiatry: _“Practices are able to offer remote appointments which saves patients time and prevents illness from spreading to other patients. Practice owners can prescribe medication digitally as well, and doctors can work remotely which allows them to travel and still be able to access their patients from anywhere.”_ A good EMR can save your practice time and headaches in the future. For instance, many practice owners hire people to do administrative things such as scheduling appointments or filling prescriptions when many EMR solutions can do this automatically—or at least more efficiently. ### Who uses EMR software? EMR software is one of the most ubiquitous technologies for health businesses of all sizes because of its versatility. Systems are typically geared toward one or several of these industries:  - Hospital and healthcare - Health, wellness, and fitness The software market also includes vendors that cater to specific sectors and industries, such as family medicine, medical spa, psychiatry, psychology, or physical therapy. While anyone related to the categories above likely uses an EMR, notes from our advisor calls reveal some of the most common kinds of users, including doctors, nurse practitioners, office managers, or practice managers. [\[2\]](#sources) We pulled the top industries based on telephonic conversations that Capterra’s advisor team had with small-to-midsize businesses seeking EMR software. ## Key features of EMR software All EMRs will include charting and patient records management, and they will have to be HIPAA compliant if you want to use them for a medical practice. Here are four more EMR features that are important according to Capterra software reviews: [\[3\]](#sources) **Feature** **Description** **% of reviewers who rate it as critical or highly important** Appointment scheduling Schedule appointments and bookings via a calendar. 82 Claims management Process of submitting and following up on claims with insurance companies. 69 Medical billing Manage billing and payments for a healthcare provider. 69 E-prescribing Transmit prescriptions to pharmacies electronically. 68 Most EMRs are full practice management suites that include features such as scheduling, billing, and prescribing built in. _Billing interface in an EMR (_[_Source_](https://www.capterra.com/p/92920/WebPT/)_)_ ## What are the benefits of using EMR software? Both practice owners and patients will see the benefits of a practice using an EMR system. Practice owners will see increased efficiency and productivity from using an EMR versus doing things manually—for example, the ability to approve prescriptions through the system rather than having to manually call them in. With many EMRs, patients can self-schedule and have automatic reminder texts sent to them, reminding them of the time of their appointment. The table below lists a few more benefits of EMR software as well as excerpts from EMR software reviews on Capterra. **Benefit** **Description** **Review excerpt** Improved client management By automating the sending of appointment reminders or notifications, or even by offering templates that make it easier to write reviews, EMRs help to facilitate client management. _“On the business side, I love the reminders, the reach outs to clients after it's been a while and the Google review prompt.”_ **–Alexandria A., owner/operator, health, wellness, and fitness** High degree of customization Users say EMR software customization makes it possible to create documents or workflows that are in line with the requirements of different types of practices. _“High customization for documents, fields in demographics sections, etc.”_ **–Michael P., owner, mental health care** Optimized online booking process Users say that EMR software is valuable to automate the patient scheduling process. Features such as appointment reminders or patient intake forms help to enhance client experience and engagement. _“My clients are always telling me how easy the online booking process is and how much they like the client-facing aspects.”_ **–Amy C., registered massage therapist (RMT), health, wellness, and fitness** Click [here](https://www.capterra.com/electronic-medical-records-software/#top-emr-software-benefits-identified-by-users) for more EMR software benefits. ## Considerations when looking for EMR software There are key factors to take into consideration while deciding on which EMR best fits your business needs. ### Budget Most electronic medical records software prices rely on a subscription model that includes a monthly payment. Entry-level plans typically cost an average of $274 per month, while enterprise-level plans cost an average of $8,964 per month. While a few vendors do offer free versions of their software, it is not common among EMR providers.  - Entry-level EMR software includes the core functionality of HIPAA compliance and charting for up to four users. - A premium or advanced product that’s priced higher typically includes additional features such as e-Prescribing and billing, allowing seats for 10 or more users. [\[4\]](#sources) First-time buyers should be aware that:  - Implementation, integration, and customization are common upfront costs. - Maintenance and support are common recurring costs. Smith goes into more detail when it comes to things to look out for when purchasing a new EMR: _“As a provider, set boundaries with vendors. Only talk to them during scheduled times so you’re not overwhelmed.”_ ### Challenges According to our 2024 Capterra Tech Trends Survey, 38% of business software buyers we surveyed last year reported challenges addressing security concerns when purchasing software. Another 37% reported challenges with compatibility between existing systems.[\*](#methodology) When Smith talks to practice owners, she’ll often hear them talk about how the current interface for their EMR is clunky or difficult to use. To make sure the EMR you choose has an interface you and your staff like, it’s important to ask for hands-on demos with vendors so that you can actually use the system and see if it works for your preferences. Additionally, practice owners talk about how their EMRs will sometimes fail or bug out, which tends to clog up their workflow on a daily basis. This can lead to practices falling behind. “When you’re doing your research, it’s important to look at reviews from other users to see if bugs are a common occurrence because vendors aren’t likely to tell you that information.” Lexi Smith Medical software buyer advocate and advisor ## Ready to start your search for EMR software? Smith gave one last bit of advice for practice owners looking for new EMR software. _“Find three systems that you really like and are within your budget. Set them against each other in the demos. Ask about their customer support, judge their interfaces, and look at reviews. Don’t look at 20 different systems and burn yourself out right away.”_ [Capterra Shortlist](https://www.capterra.com/electronic-medical-records-software/shortlist/) identifies the top EMRs based on user ratings and popularity to help small businesses find the best EMR for their needs. You can even compare tools side-by-side so you can see how your favorites stack up against each other. Additionally, you can speak to our Capterra Advisors who can help you find the right software for your needs and budget in 15 minutes or less for free_._ [Schedule a call](https://www.capterra.com/) to chat with a software advisor now. _Note: Questions and responses have been edited for brevity and clarity._ _Note: The screenshots of applications included in this article are examples to show a feature in context and are not intended as endorsements or recommendations._ * * * **Survey methodology** \*The 2024 Capterra Tech Trends Survey was conducted online in July 2023 among 3,484 respondents from the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, France, India, Germany, Brazil, and Japan, with businesses across multiple industries and company sizes (five or more employees). Respondents were screened to ensure their involvement in software purchasing decisions. Sources 1. [Lexi Smith](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexi-smith-55ba9b124/), LinkedIn 2. **Capterra advisor call notes:** Findings are based on data from telephonic conversations that Capterra’s advisor team had with small-to-midsize businesses seeking learning management tools. For this report, we analyzed phone interactions from May 31, 2023 and May 31, 2024. [Read the complete methodology](https://www.capterra.com/resources/proprietary-data-research/#software-buyers-guides-methodology). 3. **Capterra reviews data:** Capterra reviews are collected from verified users for individual software products. For this report, we analyzed reviews from April 30, 2023 and April 30, 2024. [Read the complete methodology](https://www.capterra.com/resources/proprietary-data-research/#software-buyers-guides-methodology). 4. **Capterra software pricing data:** Only products with publicly available pricing information and qualified software products within the category, as of December 2022, are included in the pricing analysis. [Read the complete methodology](https://www.capterra.com/resources/proprietary-data-research/#software-buyers-guides-methodology). * * * Looking for Electronic Medical Records software?Check out Capterra's list of the [best Electronic Medical Records software](https://www.capterra.com/electronic-medical-records-software/) solutions. ### Was this article helpful? * * * ## About the Authors [### Collin Couey](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/ccouey/) Collin Couey is a senior content writer at Capterra, covering medical and construction technologies, with a focus on emerging medical and construction industry trends. Collin has presented at the Conference on College Composition and Communication, as well as the Pop Culture Association Annual Conference.  Collin’s research and writing for Capterra is informed by more than 80,000 authentic user reviews and nearly 60,000 interactions between Capterra software advisors and medical and... [### Carolyn Santa Maria](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/carolyn-santa-maria/) Carolyn Santa Maria is a senior editor at Capterra. Carolyn has been working in content for more than five years as an editor. With her keen eye for detail, technical experience, and cross-team collaborative expertise, she has developed new content types, briefs, and processes for a variety of different projects and teams. She has edited a large variety of content, including research reports, white papers, eBooks, email marketing campaigns, and many other types of technical papers. 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