When making EMR selections, medical providers are faced with a variety of tough decisions.  Implementing an EMR is an extremely expensive process and it is important to weigh all options. .There are many factors to consider that  EMR vendors might gloss over. These costs include setup cost, monthly fee, training time for employees, IT support and maintenance, as well as the wealth of additional hardware that may be required to make the system run. Financing options for EMRs include purchasing, bank loans or leasing. It’s a good idea to talk to a knowledgeable healthcare IT consultant about these options when you begin your EMR search.

The complexity of the decision is only increased when considering potential incentives or fines imposed by the HITECH Act.  Physicians can receive pretty hefty cash back for meaningfully using a certified EMR. Although this does not help with the initial implementation costs, it can drastically help the return on investment over time. Providers should make sure they choose an EMR vendor with a certified product  who can also help them through the reimbursement process. For more information on EMR cost, visit EMRapproved’s information page.