Top HIPAA-Compliant Tools for Streamlining Administrative Tasks In 2024

Discover the top HIPAA-compliant EHR/EMR, Communication, and Scheduling tools approved by most US healthcare practitioners to streamline administrative tasks for efficiency and data security.

Time, efficiency, and data security: these three things are crucial for any healthcare practice.

Fortunately, there are tools now available for managing administrative tasks that can help save time, reduce stress, and improve patient care.

We've collaborated with healthcare organizations, ranging from small clinics to high-value clients, for almost three decades, and now we want to share the most effective tools for each practice size.

In this edition, you will find top HIPAA-compliant tools to streamline your practice's administrative tasks. Learn how these tools, along with the support of Medical Virtual Assistants can change and grow your practice for the better.

Electronic Health Records (EHR) Systems

1 . Epic EHR

Epic EHR software speeds up clinical documentation by recognizing physician preferences and using macros for routine encounters. It integrates Practice Management software for efficient financial tracking, medical billing, and administrative processes. This includes paperless billing, online payments, and automated coding to reduce administrative workload and increase revenue.

Pros: Comprehensive and highly customizable.

Cons: Requires extensive training and can be costly.

Ease of Use: Moderate to Difficult.

Ideal For: Large hospitals and healthcare systems looking for an all-encompassing EHR solution.

2. Oracle Health (Formerly Cerner)

Oracle Health EHR , formerly known as Cerner, provides an integrated, cloud-based electronic health record system to improve workflow and patient care. It offers implementation support, strategic vision support, and tailored cloud-based technology for Critical Access Hospitals.

Services include revenue cycle management, wellness programs, and performance improvement services. Oracle Health EHR enables efficient communication between caregivers, providers, clinicians, and patients. It is prominently known in the EHR market with high-profile clients.

Pros: Customizable and scalable.

Cons: Expensive with a steep learning curve.

Ease of Use: Moderate to Difficult.

Ideal For: Large healthcare organizations needing a scalable EHR system.

3. Veradigm (Formerly Allscripts)

Veradigm's EHR Solutions , including Practice Fusion and Veradigm EHR, are advanced electronic health record systems meticulously crafted to assist ambulatory physician practices in delivering well-informed patient care, simplifying operational processes, and improving the financial health of the practice.

Pros: User-friendly interface.

Cons: Less comprehensive than Epic or Oracle Health/Cerner.

Ease of Use: Easy to Moderate.

Ideal For: Small to mid-sized practices needing a user-friendly EHR.

4. Athenahealth

A cloud-based electronic health record (EHR) and practice management platform that offers medical software solutions to healthcare practices. Its goal is to prevent document charting burnout, improve patient care outcomes, and enhance clinical experiences for both patients and providers.

With Athenahealth 's technology solutions, healthcare providers can deliver quality care, access shared patient data, offer virtual care, and optimize the performance of the entire healthcare organization.

Pros: Cloud-based and easy to use.

Cons: Can be expensive for smaller practices.

Ease of Use: Easy.

Ideal For: Practices of all sizes looking for a cloud-based EHR solution.

5. eClinicalWorks

The eClinicalWorks ? EHR provides important tools for a medical practice: appointment scheduling, reminders, documentation, billing, and follow-up care. It includes a real-time Clinical Decision Support System, and a wide range of templates and diagnoses to speed up data entry and to help providers document specific medical conditions accurately.

Pros: Affordable with extensive features.

Cons: Complex user interface.

Ease of Use: Moderate.

Ideal For: Small to medium practices seeking comprehensive features at a lower cost.

How Phoenix’s MVAs Help: Phoenix Virtual Solutions' Medical Virtual Assistants are trained to use these EHR and EMR systems to eliminate errors and free physicians up to focus on patient care.

Patient Communication Tools

1. RingCentral

RingCentral is a cloud-based communication and collaboration system that keeps patient privacy top of mind for healthcare. With third-party auditing and certification, RingCentral offers solutions that are HIPAA and ISO-compliant, as well as solutions that meet HL7 standards to provide you with confidence in your medical communications.

The RingCentral platform allows for the coordination of clinic information by integrating with other systems through API calls. For instance, it can provide caller information to the call receiver while the call is ringing.

Pros: Secure and HIPAA-compliant.

Cons: Requires training for optimal use.

Ease of Use: Moderate.

Ideal For: Practices needing secure, HIPAA-compliant communication.

2. MyPracticeBridge

My Practice Bridge is a HIPAA-compliant, 2-way text messaging solution that allows you to convert leads and respond to patients' messages from various platforms in one inbox. You can assign messages to specific departments or team members for a timely response and engage leads instantly on your website through real-time interaction using its live chat solution.

It also has a Web Chat feature that allows you to text your leads even after they leave your website. It routes messages to?their mobile phone through business texting so you don't lose them.

Pros: User-friendly and integrates with EHR systems.

Cons: Less known compared to other tools.

Ease of Use: Easy.

Ideal For: Practices looking for an integrated communication tool.

3. Doximity

Doximity is a digital platform tailored for U.S. medical professionals, offering tools like Dialer Video and Voice for telemedicine, HIPAA-compliant secure messaging, a wide clinician directory, and mobile fax services.

It helps healthcare providers streamline workflows, enhance patient communication, and stay current with medical news and research. By integrating these features, Doximity increases productivity, secures patient confidentiality, and promotes professional networking, making medical communication efficient and secure.

Pros: Secure and designed for healthcare professionals.

Cons: Limited to healthcare professionals.

Ease of Use: Easy.

Ideal For: Medical professionals seeking a secure platform for communication.

4. Updox

Updox is a comprehensive communication platform with diverse features like secure text messaging, video chats, online patient waiting rooms, and seamless EHR integration. These capabilities make sure that healthcare providers can deliver both virtual and in-person care efficiently while maintaining HIPAA compliance.

Through a consolidated inbox, Updox is especially beneficial for improving patient satisfaction, increasing office productivity, and increasing organizational profitability.

Pros: Comprehensive with multiple communication channels.

Cons: Can be costly.

Ease of Use: Moderate.

Ideal For: Practices needing an all-in-one communication suite.

5. TigerConnect

Through TigerConnect , healthcare organizations can provide virtual consultations and manage interactions between doctors, nurses, patients, and other stakeholders via audio or video calls and texts.

Pros: Secure messaging with easy integration.

Cons: Requires subscription.

Ease of Use: Easy.

Ideal For: Practices needing secure, HIPAA-compliant messaging.

How Phoenix’s MVAs Help: Virtual Assistants from providers like Phoenix Virtual Solutions can manage these communication tools to ensure patients receive timely responses and that all communications are HIPAA-compliant.

Scheduling Tools

1. Doodle

Doodle is a simple scheduling tool that simplifies booking appointments. It has automation and integration features ideal for healthcare. By making scheduling easier, Doodle helps to better manage staff availability, ensure compliance with healthcare protocols, and improve patient flow. This leads to a more efficient operation that benefits both patients and healthcare providers.

Pros: Simple and free options available.

Cons: Limited features.

Ease of Use: Easy.

Ideal For: Small practices with simple scheduling needs.

2. Acuity Scheduling

Acuity Scheduling is a flexible scheduling software that helps businesses automate workflows, payments, and bookings. It can give your patients the ability to book, reschedule, or cancel appointments all on their own. You can also take full control over your calendar and make sure that patients book on your terms.

Pros: Comprehensive and allows client self-scheduling.

Cons: Can be expensive.

Ease of Use: Easy to Moderate.

Ideal For: Practices with high patient volumes needing comprehensive scheduling.

3. Practice Fusion

Practice Fusion is a cloud-based electronic health record (EHR) system for small to medium-sized medical practices. It offers features such as charting, e-prescribing, scheduling, billing, and lab integrations. This platform is known for its ease of use and quick setup, making it an attractive option for practices looking to transition to digital record-keeping without extensive IT resources.

Pros: Free for small practices.

Cons: Limited support.

Ease of Use: Easy.

Ideal For: Small practices needing a cost-effective EHR and scheduling solution.

4. Doximity Dialer

Doximity Dialer is a secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth tool that allows healthcare professionals to make calls and video visits using their smartphones while displaying their office number on caller ID.

The app supports high-quality audio and video calls for better patient care experience and facilitates remote consultations. Doximity Dialer is particularly useful for practices looking to maintain patient communication and care continuity outside traditional office settings.

Pros: Secure and easy to use.

Cons: Not a full scheduler.

Ease of Use: Easy.

Ideal For: Practices needing secure, HIPAA-compliant calling features.

How Phoenix’s MVAs Help: Medical Virtual Assistants can manage these scheduling tools, ensuring efficient appointment booking and management, reducing the burden on your in-house staff.

Conclusion

Getting the right tools tailored for your practice can impact your operational efficiency and patient care.

With these HIPAA-compliant solutions, you can streamline administrative tasks so you can focus more on providing exceptional healthcare services.

Our HIPAA-trained Medical Virtual Assistants at Phoenix Virtual Solutions are skilled in using these tools making sure that your patient records, communication, and scheduling are efficiently managed.

They help reduce your administrative burden so you and your staff can focus on patient care.

Take the first step towards a more efficient practice. Book a free consultation with Phoenix Virtual Solutions to learn how our HIPAA-trained virtual assistants can help you streamline your administrative tasks.