who makes the best patient portal

by Laurence Nikolaus III 8 min read

Best Patient Portal Software 2022 | Reviews of the Most ...

35 hours ago Apr 08, 2022 · Elation Health is a cloud-based clinically focused electronic health record solution for physicians looking for an ONC-ATCB certified EMR along with patient scheduling, a patient portal, e-prescribing and e-faxing. >> Go To The Portal


Market Leader: athenahealth
Healthcare IT rating agency KLAS recently selected athenahealth's athenaCommunicator as the #1 patient portal, with a score of 91.8 on the most recent Best in KLAS awards . athenahealth's suite was also ranked #2 overall for practice sizes from 1-75 physicians.

What do the best patient portals have in common?

Apr 08, 2022 · Elation Health is a cloud-based clinically focused electronic health record solution for physicians looking for an ONC-ATCB certified EMR along with patient scheduling, a patient portal, e-prescribing and e-faxing.

How to get patients to sign up for patient portals?

Apr 07, 2022 · Healthcare IT rating agency KLAS recently selected athenahealth’s athenaCommunicator as the #1 patient portal, with a score of 91.8 on the most recent Best in KLAS awards . athenahealth’s suite was also ranked …

How to optimize patient portals for patient engagement?

Jul 26, 2018 · An objective comparison of the best EHR patient portals. A patient portal provides a secure way for patients to interact with their healthcare provider via the internet. Generally, part of the healthcare provider’s EHR, the patient portal allows patients to view their medical record, communicate with their provider, schedule and manage ...

How to access patient portal?

Dec 04, 2014 · Pingback by Build a Patient Portal the Right Way on Jun. 13, 2017 at 3:25 pm […] users (patients, in this case) to determine what’s optimal in the patient portal experience. Capterra has identified some core functional characteristics that the best solutions […]

What makes a great patient portal?

In order to help you evaluate common portal capabilities, we asked patients which portal features they would need the most: Scheduling appointments online. Viewing health information (e.g., lab results or clinical notes) Viewing bills/making payments.Jul 24, 2019

What are the different types of patient portals?

There are two main types of patient portals: a standalone system and an integrated service. Integrated patient portal software functionality usually comes as a part of an EMR system, an EHR system or practice management software. But at their most basic, they're simply web-based tools.Feb 12, 2021

Is secure patient portal legit?

That's why we offer the Secure Patient Portal so you can access your health information anytime. The Secure Patient Portal is a safe and easy way for your doctor or clinic to electronically share your healthcare information with you.

Is NextGen patient portal legit?

NextGen is a robust EHR that seems to offers solutions for all aspects of medical documentation including Practice Management for patient scheduling and billing. They are excellent with keeping up to date with the Regulatory, Prescribing, and Meaningful Use aspects that are required.

What are the disadvantages of patient portals?

Even though they should improve communication, there are also disadvantages to patient portals....Table of ContentsGetting Patients to Opt-In.Security Concerns.User Confusion.Alienation and Health Disparities.Extra Work for the Provider.Conclusion.Nov 11, 2021

What makes the patient portal different from a PHR?

The Portal is controlled by the source system (EMR/EHR/Hospital). On the other hand, the Personal Health Record (PHR) is more patient centric, is controlled by a patient or family member, and may or may not be connected to a doctor or hospital (i.e. it may be tethered or untethered).Sep 6, 2012

Can patient portals be hacked?

Health outcomes improve. Unfortunately, what makes your patient portal valuable for patients is exactly what makes it attractive to cybercriminals. It's a one-stop shop for entire health records, and identity thieves can make a fast buck from stealing this data and selling it on.

What are the top pros and cons of adopting patient portals?

What are the Top Pros and Cons of Adopting Patient Portals?Pro: Better communication with chronically ill patients.Con: Healthcare data security concerns.Pro: More complete and accurate patient information.Con: Difficult patient buy-in.Pro: Increased patient ownership of their own care.Feb 17, 2016

When did the medical field start using patient portals?

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the earliest adopters of patient portals began offering electronic tools for patient-centered communication, often “tethered” to their integrated electronic health record system.Apr 7, 2016

What is HealthFusion MediTouch?

HealthFusion is a company that offers MediTouch electronic health records and practice management software for doctors' offices and other medical practices.Apr 6, 2020

How much does NextGen EHR cost?

NextGen's cloud-based EMR makes implementation fast and easy, from start to go live in two months or less. The software isn't the most intuitive, but it is cost-effective, ranging from $299 to $549 per provider, per month.

What is NextGen software?

NextGen Healthcare offers NextGen Office—a cloud-based EHR – specifically designed for private practices. NextGen Office is a fully integrated practice management solution that includes specialty-specific content, a claims clearinghouse, and an easy-to-use patient portal.

What is Carepaths EHR?

CarePaths EHR is an online (ASP), integrated electronic medical record (EMR) and practice management (PM) system. It is designed for psychiatry, psychology, mental and behavioral health, and social services. Some of the CarePaths'... Read more

What is referral MD?

ReferralMD is a cloud-based fax management software designed to help the healthcare industry manage inbound and outbound faxes from a unified platform . Key features include task assignment, categorization, fax routing and notifica... Read more

What is elation health?

Elation Health is a cloud-based clinically focused electronic health record solution for physicians looking for an ONC-ATCB certified EMR along with patient scheduling, a patient portal, e-prescribing and e-faxing. The solution ca... Read more

What is Caspio software?

Caspio is a cloud-based application development solution for organizations of all sizes. The platform is suitable for industries such as health care, media, government, education, nonprofits, consulting, churches and community ass... Read more

What is Jahia DXP?

Jahia DXP is a cloud-based platform that helps businesses monitor customers’ experiences and provide personalized content accordingly. Professionals can use the built-in CMS solution, jContent, to create, store, manage and share e... Read more

What is a mend?

Mend is a cloud-based healthcare communication solution that enables patients and providers to connect and share files, messages, assessments, photos and data. Users and providers can use video conferencing and live chat tool... Read more

Find the best Best Free Patient Portal Software. Compare product reviews and features to build your list

Find the best Best Free Patient Portal Software. Compare product reviews and features to build your list.

Best Free Patient Portal Software

Explore these highest-rated tools to discover the best option for your business. Based on ratings and number of reviews, Capterra users give these tools a thumbs up. Select a product to learn more.

SimplePractice

SimplePractice is built to simplify the business side of private practice. Automate your billing, easily file insurance claims, and streamline your client communication with the Client Portal. Let clients easily request appointments online while retaining full control over your schedule.

TheraNest

EHR software with Wiley Planners add-on, Telehealth for online therapy, mobile app, client portal, DSM/ICD codes, progress notes, treatment plans, discharge notes, review & co-sign notes, custom forms. Billing features: PQRS, claims & ERA/EOB, superbills, credit card service, batch invoice/claims. Sync with Google/iCal.

Caspio

Caspio is the world's leading NO-CODE platform for building compliant patient portal applications without having to write code.

Mend

Best for 11+ Provider Groups. AI Patient Attendance Predictor, Appointment Reminders, Forms, Telehealth, & Scheduling: Mend's PredictiveIQ is the industry's first-ever patent-pending AI that predicts no-shows and cancellations before they happen with up to 99% accuracy.

CarePaths EHR

HIPAA-Compliant & ONC-Certified Cloud-Based EHR & Practice Management with Free Telehealth, Claims, and Eligibility. Learn more about CarePaths EHR

What is patient portal?

Generally, part of the healthcare provider’s EHR, the patient portal allows patients to view their medical record, communicate with their provider, schedule and manage appointments, access health education material, check prescription refills, update their medical history and fill out intake forms, among other features.

How does a patient portal improve patient engagement?

Patient portals can foster patient engagement which, in turn, improves health outcomes and reduces healthcare costs by facilitating the process of communicating and sharing information between patients and providers. With better communication, patient engagement is enhanced as patients become more involved in their care and providers can also monitor patients more effectively and provide vital information to them when needed.

Why do we need mobile technology?

Mobile technology offers promise with regard to helping patients become more connected to more personalized interactions, it has been suggested that these apps need to be connected to personal health records to be effective and improve patient outcomes.

What is the impact of older adults with less access to and experience with technology, less education, and who demonstrate low health

Research indicates that that older adults with less access to and experience with technology, less education, and who demonstrate low health literacy and numeracy skills experience greater difficulty using patient portals.

Do providers use patient portals?

Providers generally adopt patient portals at a rate slightly below the EHR adoption rate. According to a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), 9 out of 10 health care providers that participated in HHS's Medicare Electronic Health Record Incentive Program offered their patients an EHR patient portal. However, the same report notes that only one-third of patients actually use the patient portal. In a 2017 survey conducted by the Medical Group Management Association, which examined how patients used patient portals, the results indicate 29% use patient portals to access test results, with 28% using the feature for bill payment, communicating with providers and medical staff, downloading or transmitting medical records, and scheduling appointments.

Is Apple Health Records beta?

An example of a recent effort to integrate mobile technology with patient portals can be found in the Apple Health Records beta program. On July 2, Apple announced the participation of healthcare organizations in the program which would enable patients to access health records on iPhone, directly in the phone’s Health app.

Is patient portal security important?

The security of data transmitted to a patient portal presents a major concern given that transmitted sensitive data to a patient who is accessing their records off-site can open up new avenues for hackers to breach patient privacy. Further, patient side security is also a significant concern as patients who fail to secure their login credentials may fall victim to unauthorized access to their personal health information. Lastly, as mobile access to patient portals increases, legal concerns have been raised as to whether mobile apps linked to a patient portal fall under HIPAA or a developer's own privacy policy, creating potential compliance traps for healthcare organizations.

Access to the doctor

Patients reserved some of their highest praise (and bitterest condemnation) for the ability of a patient portal to give them direct access to a doctor.

Alerts when you have new messages or lab results

It’s a hassle to deal with a patient portal that doesn’t automate notifications. For instance, Tracy Vega had to use one from her doctor, and “You have to continuously log back in and check manually for any new messages or replies… I think this system needs a lot of work.”

Integration with EMR

Almost every patient we spoke to used their provider’s patient portal to check on lab results, blood tests, and other individual healthcare reports.

Mobile access

A big selling point of patient portals for actual patients was convenience. Many of the patients we spoke to cited being able to access their health records from anywhere, at anytime, as a major benefit.

Bill pay

Being able to manage invoices and bills was also a huge draw brought up by several patients.

Others?

Have you or your patients hit on any other key features for a top-quality patient portal? Add them in the comments!

Overview

Patient portals improve the way in which patients and health care providers interact. A product of meaningful use requirements, they were mandated as a way to provide patients with timely access to their health care. Specifically, patient portals give patients access to their health information to take a more active role.

Primary Benefits

No matter the type of platform you choose, your patient portal can provide your patients with secure online access to their medical details and increase their engagement with your practice. And not to mention that it does so while providing several benefits for health care providers as well. Some of these benefits include:

Notable Challenges

While many people have used a patient portal by now, they have mixed reviews at best. As you can see in the section above, there are plenty of benefits that patient portals provide. But unfortunately, their potential has yet to be fully harnessed.

Emerging Trends

If patient portals are a mixed bag, why should the patient portal receive greater consideration in the EHR, EMR and practice management selection processes? Because when you look at current industry trends, patient portals are well on their way to improving. Some of these trends include:

How to Use a Patient Portal

With patient portals, the first and foremost thing you will need is a computer and a working internet connection. Create a customized user’s account in the software to avail medical services on your own. Once you enter the patient portal, click on links and products sold by the provider and tap into a new experience.

Solution Evaluation

Now that you know what a patient portal is and given the potential and growing importance, how should you evaluate the best portal for your practice or facility? You can select a standalone patient portal that a third-party vendor commonly hosts through the cloud as a health care provider.

Final Thoughts

It’s clear that using a patient portal software can provide several benefits for your medical practice. After accounting for these nine considerations, you should be ready to start using a patient portal. The only decision left to make is which platform you’ll use.

What percentage of patients are frustrated with staff who are unresponsive to patient portal messages?

Research has indicated that 37 percent of patients grow frustrated with staff who are unresponsive to patient portal messages, while clinicians have expressed concern about patients growing impatient using the portal.

What is secure message?

Secure messages are also excellent tools for talking about medication management. Patients managing a chronic illness can update their medication progress, alert clinicians of any adverse side effects, or make any other necessary requests for adjustment.

Why do clinicians rope off?

Many clinicians rope off one or two designated times to answer secure messages. This helps clinicians organize their workflows and create a certain expectation with patients. Patients sending messages in the morning can anticipate that their provider will return the message during lunch, for example.

Can providers exclude test results from secure messaging?

Complicating matters is patients’ preferences for receiving test results via the patient portal and secure message. Providers should not make a standard rule excluding test results from secure messaging; instead, they should recognize the nuances in patient preferences. Data from a 2017 study in the American Journal of Managed Care showed ...

Can clinicians answer secure messages in real time?

In these cases, it will be helpful for clinicians to be up-front with patients about their message answering timeline. Clinicians cannot answer each secure message in real-time, nor should they be expected to.

ezAccess Patient Portal

Make Value-Based Care with athenaPractice™ and athenaFlow™ easier by connecting the dots with enhanced communication and task automation. ezAccess is not your average patient portal. It benefits patients, providers, clinic staff and even referring providers.

During Your Visit

During the visit, ezAccess becomes a platform for secure messaging for providers and staff. It also facilitates virtual visits and Telemedicine visits via ezTelemedicine to help reach remote patients, adding another revenue stream.

Between Visits

After and between visits, staff and physicians can share lab and other test results with patients via automated messaging or by login to the portal. Staff can setup paper and/or electronic statements to be sent to patients on any chosen schedule – the receiving patient can then make a payment online and have it post to athenaPractice™.