Acupuncture Software

Acupuncture Software: What You Need To Know

            Being an acupuncturist in today’s day and age means having to incorporate technology into your practice. This is not only to keep up with today’s ever-growing world of technology within the medical industry, but also to make it easier on yourself and your patients. Choosing the right acupuncture software program is a big decision, and it’s worth knowing the options available to you in the market place today.  Whether you’ve been in practice for 20 years, or are just opening up, using the right acupuncture clinic software in your office can be a deal breaker.

EMR vs. EHR vs. PM

            As members of the medical community, acupuncturists have had to bring their practices into the 21st century with the medical industry becoming more digitized. It is important for the acupuncture community to maintain electronic patient records, and it comes with many benefits. There is still some confusion in the medical community in regards to the jargon of electronic records, and which ones are needed. The most confusing part is that they are all very similar, but they have some differences.

In order to determine which acupuncture software program is best for your individual practice, it is important to first understand the differences between the three major software options there are to choose from.

Acupuncture EMR (Electronic Medical Records) Software:

Essentially, EMR’s are digital versions of the old-fashioned paper charts doctors used to keep shelves upon shelves of in the office. These are records of patient’s care from a single acupuncture practice with the basics from the visit (medical history, history of visits at that practice, diagnoses, and anything prescribed). Acupuncture EMR software is important because they help the provider and staff keep track of the patient’s progress over time in their care.

Acupuncture EHR (Electronic Health Records) Software:

EHR’s are similar to EMR’s in the sense that it is still an electronic version of the patient’s chart. However, EHR’s not only collect medical information from the current acupuncture provider, but from a variety of providers including other physicians/specialists, hospitals, medical/urgent care facilities, and the patient themselves. This software allows a provider to quickly assess the long-term view of the patient’s health care as a whole. EHR’s can also be shared electronically between healthcare providers. This way, the patient’s records are easily kept up to date with the latest information especially if the patient is seeing multiple providers at once.

This allows for each acupuncture provider to make more informed decisions based on not only their progress with the patient, but other providers/specialists’ findings and progress in the patient’s care network as well from the past and present. Lastly, this helps with any holes in the patient’s medical history that the patient may not communicate during the appointment, but may have an impact on decisions regarding their treatment plan with you. Essentially, EHR goes where the patient goes, and is an all-inclusive digitized record of their health.

  • You will also want to search for an EHR that is certified. This means that the EHR system has demonstrated the technological functionality, security, and capability requirements required by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and has received certification by the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) as well.

  • The main difference between EMR and EHR is that EMR is concerned with the medical treatment of a patient provided by one acupuncture practice rather than all practitioners the patient has seen.

Acupuncture PM (Practice Management) Software:

While this is a third option, acupuncture practice management software capabilities are often found within EHR software so that you have office management functions combined with patient medical records in one place. If you desire to have them separately, some acupuncture practice management software allows for staff members who are not acupuncture providers to manage administrative tasks without having access to the patient data that should not be viewed or modified. It also will assist with other patient care services such as appointment reminder texts and alerts related to billing. Lastly, non-medical staff are able to upkeep and update the patient’s demographic information to be sure patient reminders and appointments run smoothly.

Both EMR and EHR software make patient health information more efficient, accessible, and less costly. To go beyond the basic medical data of the patient, you will want an EHR software solution with PM built into it. An acupuncture EHR system allows for acupuncturists to provide better patient care having greater access to the patient’s complete history which we all know is something that is gathered from the patient upon consultation.

This will fill in any possible holes in their history that the patient may have missed, and with a PM software built in, everything will run smoothly and efficiently. Streamlining your acupuncture practice by utilizing just one system to meet all of your needs will not only be beneficial to you, the acupuncturist, but to the patient as well. The bottom line…EHR and PM integrated together increases your acupuncture practice efficiency.

Acupuncturist Clinic Software

            We will preface this by saying that ACE is not affiliated with any EHR acupuncture software programs, but did research to see what real acupuncturists are using. We also found some that could be helpful for both acupuncturists and primary care doctors alike. If you have ever tried to figure out which software is right for your practice, then you more than likely know how frustrating it can be. Luckily, we have a few that would be worth looking into as an acupuncturist.

Acupuncture Clinic Software Options:

  • Acusimple – this is an EHR/PM system that was created by an acupuncturist for acupuncturists. Some features include online scheduling, telemedicine, patient portal, patient reviews, acupuncture tool widgets, acupuncture & herbal references, and more.

    • The cost to implement Acusimple into your practice: Starter – free for 15 days, Scheduling – $19.99/month, Basic – $39.99/month, Plus – $49.99/month, Premium – $59.99/month.

  • Acubase Pro – this is also an EHR/PM system, and has a 30-day free trial as well as a few payment options. We will say this one is a bit pricier, but it is about what is right for you and your practice. Some features include free online & phone support, e-billing, SOAP notes, iPad/iPhone access, and more.

    • The cost to implement Acubase Pro into your practice: (bear in mind these prices are for a year) Basic – $499 ($299 annual renewal), Premium – $699 ($299 annual renewal), Networking – $1199 ($499 annual renewal).

  • Jane – this is a great EHR/PM option for acupuncturists and any complementary health practitioner, and is being used by more than a dozen countries by over 12,000 practitioners in a variety of disciplines. Some features include online booking, telehealth system, email appointment reminders, usable on any device, and more

    • The cost to implement Jane into your practice: Free for student teaching clinics, Base Plan – $74/month, Insurance Plan – $99/month, Corporate Plan – $369/month.

  • Jasmine – this is another EHR/PM option for acupuncturists. Some features include patient management, online scheduling, SOAP notes, superbills, billing, branded clinic app, and more. They also offer a 14-day free trial.

    • The cost to implement Jasmine into your practice: Starter – $79/month, Professional – $99/month, Enterprise – $149/month.

  • Unified Practice – Unified Practice provides a EHR/PM option for acupuncturists and anyone in the TCM field. The system is designed specifically for TCM practitioners. Some features include TCM medical charting with SOAP notes, online scheduling, automated appointment reminders, acupuncture billing, and more. They also offer 50% off for each additional practitioner, and 2 months free if you pre-pay for the year.

    • The cost to implement Unified Practice into your practice: Enhanced Starter – $47-$59 per month per practitioner, Enhanced Premium – $63-$79 per month per practitioner, Pro Starter – $79-$99 per month per practitioner, Pro Premium – $95-$119 per month per practitioner.

All of these platforms additionally offer acupuncture software reviews so that you are able to see what real acupuncturists think of the acupuncture software programs. These are obviously only a few of many options out there, but there is good feedback about all of these options for the acupuncture provider.

Acupuncture EMR/HER Software

            With a little research, the power of technology, and referrals from those in the field, it is possible to find a solution that fits your acupuncture office. All three types of acupuncture clinic software are ultimately designed to make practice and patient information work for everyone without having to slow down the process with the outdated systems and/or paperwork. Harnessing the advancements in technology and network security by using an acupuncture EHR/EMR/PM software system is really the best thing you can do for your practice to make your in-office experience cost-effective, efficient, safe, and easy.

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