Digitization has transformed many fields, including medicine. For modern behavioral health practices, electronic health records (EHRs) have become an indispensable tool. These digital systems offer numerous benefits, such as improved patient care and enhanced compliance with regulations. However, perhaps driven by a desire to cut costs, some behavioral health professionals have fallen into the trap of price shopping for EHRs. Price is not the only important factor to consider when choosing an EHR, though. This article will cover some of the risks and disadvantages of price shopping your next EHR.
The Critical Role of EHRs in Behavioral Health
First, it’s important to understand the value of EHR systems to behavioral health practices. By streamlining the flow of information, EHRs facilitate better care coordination. Healthcare providers can access comprehensive patient records, leading to better and more informed decision-making. That is, better insights result in better care plans. In addition, EHRs reduce administrative burdens, allowing you to focus more on your patients—and less on paperwork. And an EHR can help ensure patient confidentiality is protected, and that your practice stays in compliance with HIPAA and other regulations. The right EHR can handle all of this complexity while keeping things simple for you and your practice.
The Pitfalls of Price-Driven Decision Making
While cost is a significant factor in any decision, choosing an EHR based solely on price can have severe drawbacks. The cheapest EHR systems often lack essential features and functionalities. They may not be tailored to the specific needs of behavioral health practices, potentially leading to inefficiencies or even discouraging patient participation.
Technology has the power to enhance the patient experience, while a poor patient experience can turn people away. A good patient experience is one that removes friction, allows flexibility, and grants patients agency. When people can complete forms, update records, finish tasks associated with their treatment, and view scheduling and billing details—all on their own time—they won’t experience frustration or need to make extra calls to your office. EHR software will be a major client touchpoint, so it’s important that it adequately serves the needs of your patients.
Negative outcomes that are possible when using an EHR not designed for behavioral health specifically include missed information, errors in documentation, and potentially, compromised patient safety. EHR pricing is an important factor to consider, but don’t overlook the value of a satisfying patient experience.
Clinical and Patient Care Implications
Subpar EHR systems can directly impact care quality. In behavioral health, where treatment plans are highly personalized, an EHR that doesn’t support an individualized approach can hinder patient care. Patients who feel dissatisfied may seek care elsewhere or stop pursuing treatment altogether.
Thus the relationship between clients and behavioral healthcare professionals is paramount. An EHR that consumes excessive time or doesn’t provide clear answers or choices can strain this valuable connection. Preference-based automated communications, for example, give your patients some control over what works for them. A robust EHR designed for behavioral health needs will have the features and functions needed to support the relationship between provider and patient.
As a behavioral health practitioner, you need an EHR that can handle extensive notes. The note-taking functions of more generalized EHRs may not serve your needs well. Each session may involve logging patient progress or regression, identifying which treatments are working, and noting what was discussed. Adequate notes are critical not just for patient care but also for potential audits.
Data Security and Compliance
Data security is crucial, especially in a field where patient records are exceptionally sensitive. Those detailed notes, as mentioned above, are full of sensitive information. Direct communications between providers and patients can be beneficial, but an EHR must ensure the security of those communications as well. Choosing an EHR on price alone can jeopardize data security as well as compliance with critical regulations such as HIPAA.
Data breaches can lead to severe legal and financial consequences for your practice. Fines, legal fees, and reputational damage are just a few of the problems your practice could face.
Implementation and Training Challenges
Implementing an EHR is a complex process, and low-cost EHR vendors may not provide adequate support. If you or your team are left to troubleshoot on your own, you’re wasting valuable time. When you or your staff are distracted by a time-consuming rollout, it means your focus is not fully on providing care. An EHR vendor that provides good training and reliable support will make the rollout go smoothly.
Transitioning to a new system can be difficult for patients as well. Poor implementation can disrupt patient care, but even a smooth rollout can be an inconvenience. EHR cost goes beyond the price you see up front.
Hidden Costs: Disadvantages of Price Shopping Your Next EHR
The draw of budget EHR solutions often lies in their initial affordability. However, these systems often come with hidden costs that can far outweigh any initial savings. The sticker price doesn’t tell the whole story—that’s one of the clearest disadvantages of price shopping your next EHR. Hidden costs can include:
Customization: Many budget EHRs have a low initial price, but require costly customization to meet your practice’s unique needs.
Data Migration: Transitioning data from an old system to a new EHR can be both costly and time-consuming.
Ongoing Support: Support and maintenance costs can add up quickly, especially if the EHR vendor doesn’t offer substantial initial support services.
Indirect or hidden costs may not be immediately apparent, but can still impact your practice’s bottom line. An EHR with a low sticker price may be more expensive in the long run, especially when considering costs such as additional time spent preparing for audits.
Vendor Reputation and Longevity
Selecting an EHR provider solely based on low prices can also be risky in terms of vendor reputation and longevity. If your chosen EHR vendor suddenly goes out of business, that leaves your practice and your patients in a precarious situation.
Practices that experience vendor disruptions can face downtime, data migration headaches, and even questions from patients. Choosing an EHR vendor with a proven track record can give you peace of mind.
Finding a Balance
So, what should you consider to make informed EHR decisions that balance price considerations with overall value? Identify the features you’ll need and which vendors offer those features. Then assess each vendor based not just on price and features, but also on their reputation and support services.
Behavioral health has unique needs compared to many other fields, and inadequate software can hamper the patient experience in real ways. The long-term impact on patient care, data security, and practice operations should be among the most critical factors in your decision-making process.
When choosing an EHR, it’s important to look beyond the initial price and consider the total cost. By striking a balance between cost and quality, you can ensure that your EHR system enhances your practice and your patients’ care.
