CollaborateMD is a company that provides cloud-based medical billing and medical practice management software for practices of all sizes. The company was founded in 1999 by Douglas Kegler, who is still the CEO today. CollaborateMD’s mission is to help healthcare providers and billers improve their revenue cycle management, reduce administrative costs, and enhance patient care.
CollaborateMD has over 10,000 active users and processes over $2 billion in claims annually. The company is based in Orlando, Florida, and has a team of over 100 employees. CollaborateMD has received several awards and recognitions, such as the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies, the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 list, and the KLAS Category Leader for Practice Management in 2020.
CollaborateMD: Features
CollaborateMD, a well-established player in the medical billing industry, offers various features designed to optimize workflow, ensuring ease of use and faster payment for clinicians. Its core focus lies on catering to small and medium-sized practices, providing them with the personalized attention and support they need, rather than targeting the enterprise market.
CollaborateMD's cloud-based medical billing software streamlines the claims process significantly. It allows the staff to receive and process claims in real time, eliminating the delays associated with traditional paper-based billing methods. In the past, clinicians used to collect a stack of billing cards each week, and billers had to wait until they were physically received before they could begin the billing process. This delay is now a thing of the past, as the claims process commences as soon as the billing charge is entered into the system. This efficiency directly contributes to faster payment cycles and improved cash flow.
(Image credit: CollaborateMD)
CollaborateMD enhances billing efficiency by enabling electronic claim submissions, known as eClaims. This feature expedites payment processing, eliminating delays and facilitating prompt reimbursement. Furthermore, the software accommodates an unlimited number of eClaims, ensuring scalability for growing practices. Its robust capabilities allow it to handle increased workloads seamlessly, resulting in an exceptionally high first pass claim submission rate of 99%, outperforming other billing software solutions.
Crucially, CollaborateMD ensures that each practice has a dedicated billing specialist, ensuring consistency in support and facilitating a smooth onboarding process, as opposed to having to start over each day with a new, unfamiliar representative.
CollaborateMD: Drawbacks
A major limitation of CollaborateMD is its lack of dedicated software for both Mac and Windows platforms. It solely operates as a browser-based application. Additionally, the absence of mobile apps for Android and iOS further restricts its accessibility. Many users prefer the convenience of accessing software through mobile devices, especially when they are out of the office.
Many users have expressed dissatisfaction with the unidirectional communication between their EHR and the CollaborateMD billing solution. They would prefer a bidirectional connection to enable automatic transfer of appointment and demographic data from the scheduling software to the billing system. This would eliminate the need for manual re-entry of data, reducing workload and errors.
Additionally, the customer support has been criticized for being inadequate. The complaint highlights the limited hours of availability for assistance and suggests that many support staff could benefit from improved training.
CollaborateMD: Support
CollaborateMD provides multiple options for users to obtain support. Previously, phone support was accessible through a toll-free number, but this is no longer available. The primary support method has transitioned to chat, accessible during the hours of 8 AM to 6 PM EST on weekdays only. Additionally, users can create a support ticket or visit the support portal. There is a designated email address for general inquiries, but it is not intended for direct support.
(Image credit: CollaborateMD)
In terms of self-support, an extensive Knowledge Center offers various articles categorized for easy navigation. It includes step-by-step instructions for numerous processes, such as issuing a refund for a patient, but it lacks video content.
(Image credit: CollaborateMD)
CollaborateMD: Pricing
With CollaborateMD, you need to enter your information, and establish contact with the company for a custom quote for any of the four plans. It states that it starts at a monthly price of $215 per month, and that this is per the provider.
CollaborateMD starts on the Starter plan which provides for unlimited eClaims, an appointment scheduler, real time claim submission, credit card processing, and patient payment plans. Going up to the Basic plan adds 150 MB cloud storage for documents, a secure patient payment portal, and a custom report builder. The Growth plan adds in claim scrubbing, claim follow-up and a patient responsibility estimator. At the top is the Unlimited plan, and delivers patient appointment reminders via SMS and phone, unlimited paper claims, financial insight tools and analytics.
For practices with a high volume of patients, the fixed monthly fees charged by this provider can be more cost-effective than some other billing software solutions that charge a percentage of collections. Therefore, estimating the monthly collections can help determine which pricing model will be more affordable for your specific situation.
CollaborateMD: Final verdict
CollaborateMD offers medical offices assistance in expediting medical billing to accelerate payment processing. It has some drawbacks, including the absence of mobile apps, restricted support hours, and a lack of transparent upfront pricing. However, CollaborateMD stands out with advantages such as an exceptionally high first pass claims submission rate, real-time claims submission, and fixed monthly costs with various package options. Balancing the pros and cons, CollaborateMD emerges as a competitive solution in the medical billing landscape despite a few shortcomings.
MedicsPremier is a fully featured medical billing service from the Advanced Data Systems Corporation (ADS). Founded in 1977 by David Barzillai, an electrical engineer and former Israeli Air Force member, ADS began as a patient demographics database for radiology practices. Initiated in a humble NYC apartment, ADS has grown to occupy a spacious 15,000-square-foot building in Paramus, NJ and employs over 300 dedicated professionals.
ADS has achieved remarkable success over the years, processing over 55 million claims annually with an impressive 98% payment rate for clean claims on the first submission. This exceptional performance reflects the company's unwavering focus on quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
MedicsPremier: Features
Medics Premier stands out as a comprehensive medical billing service that goes beyond the conventional approach of billing insurance companies and patients for payment. It not only handles insurance claims but also provides a multitude of supplementary services. These include denial management, fee schedule review and analysis, provider enrollment assistance, and revenue cycle management. Medics Premier's multifaceted services empower healthcare providers to maximize their revenue streams, ensuring a streamlined and efficient billing process.
Unlike many medical billing services that are often tied to a single EHR system, MedicsPremier stands apart by offering flexibility. Medical practices and facilities can retain their current EHR if they are satisfied with it, as MedicsPremier is not limited to a specific platform. Additionally, MedicsPremier can provide EHR suggestions or, through their e-superbill process, operate without an EHR entirely, catering to the diverse needs of healthcare providers.
The true strength of MedicsPremier lies in its ability to integrate seamlessly with other services offered by the company. This integration creates a cohesive solution that optimizes revenue generation at various stages of the patient journey. For example, during patient scheduling, the software can verify insurance coverage and provide an estimate of the copay. This transparency enhances patient expectations management, eliminates unexpected surprises, and facilitates the collection of copayments during the visit, resulting in a simplified and efficient process.
MedicsPremier prioritizes maximizing coverage at the outset, streamlining the subsequent process by ensuring patients are either in-network or aware of their out-of-network status before their visit. This strategic approach contributes to an impressive 99% first billing submission success rate, an achievement that stands out among comparable software billing providers. Notably, this proficiency extends to challenging providers, such as workers' compensation and no-fault claims. This optimization saves valuable time for practices by reducing the occurrence of rejected claims that require resubmission. Consequently, the practice benefits from cost savings in terms of both labor expenses and delays in receiving payments.
Modern billing software boasts the key advantage of integration with business analytics. This harmony offers users a quick insight into the financial well-being of their practice. Users are granted the flexibility to visualize data in a format of their preference, be it graphical charts, dashboards, or traditional reports. Moreover, the software empowers users to export data into an Excel spreadsheet, allowing for further analysis and customization, thereby providing a comprehensive and personalized analytical experience.
MedicsPremier: Drawbacks
MedicsPremier's platform presents a significant challenge: organizing vast amounts of information in a way that is easy to understand and use. The interface appears cluttered, overwhelming users with too much data at once, making it difficult to identify and extract relevant information for practical use. Additionally, the outdated appearance of the interface adds to the overall usability issues.
Moreover, the platform offers a plethora of reporting options, which can be overwhelming and confusing. Users have expressed the need for customizable reports tailored to their specific requirements rather than having to run multiple reports from the available options to obtain the desired data.
Furthermore, MedicsPremier's software availability is limited to Windows, lacking support for Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. This limitation contrasts with many competitors who provide cross-platform access to data, allowing users to remain connected and productive even when away from their office.
MedicsPremier: Support
MedicsPremier provides customer support during its business hours, which are not specified. Customers can contact the company through email or a toll-free number. MedicsPremier states that it responds to messages within an hour.
(Image credit: Advanced Data Systems)
Additionally, the wealth of training materials they provide is commendable. The eBooks, such as “Collecting More Patient Payments: A Guide to Best Practices,” and “The ‘Ins’ and ‘Outs’ of Revenue Cycle Management: INcome by OUTsourcing,” can be incredibly helpful for both new staff members and experienced users. The online video content, including “MedicsRCM: Cloud-Based & Transparent RCM Services,” adds to the comprehensive resources available.
Having a variety of formats, from infographics to whitepapers and brochures, ensures that users can access information in a way that suits their learning preferences. Overall, it seems like MedicsPremier is committed to providing robust support and educational materials for their users.
MedicsPremier: Pricing
Obtaining pricing information for MedicsPremier proves to be a challenge, mirroring the practices of many of its competitors. Instead of transparent pricing upfront, MedicsPremier requires potential customers to complete an online form and subsequently engage in direct contact to receive a custom quote. While there is no free tier or trial, there is a 90 day guarantee.
Extensive online research yields limited results regarding MedicsPremier's pricing structure. The cost remains shrouded in opacity, with the exception of a lone user review suggesting that it falls within the higher price range.
MedicsPremier: Final verdict
MedicsPremier, a medical software billing service, excels in certain areas: its exceptional first submission payment rate, smooth integration with scheduling software, and flexibility to support various EHRs. However, several shortcomings limit its potential. The lack of mobile apps, overwhelming information presentation, and limited support options are notable drawbacks. Moreover, the absence of a free trial and transparent pricing structure makes it difficult for potential users to make an informed decision. These factors hinder MedicsPremier from receiving a more positive recommendation.
A serious veteran in the space, ClaimCare has over 17 years of medical billing service experience. Its mission is clear: to maximize revenue for your practice as quickly as possible, all while reducing costs and hassle for your organization. It is US based, with multiple locations, including Austin TX, Dallas/Fort Worth TX, Houston TX, Orlando FL, San Jose Ca, and Pittsburgh Pa. Its clients include all the specialities, across the entire US, and furthermore all the employees are within the US.
ClaimCare Medical Billing: Features
ClaimCare Medical Billing Solutions aims to provide comprehensive medical billing services to enhance your practice's collections promptly. Its efficient and dedicated service enables practices to outsource this crucial task, eliminating the potential risks of handling it internally.
The Instant Payment Program is instrumental in ensuring faster payments for practices. ClaimCare promises to facilitate payments within a remarkable 24 hours post-patient encounter, eliminating prolonged waiting periods that can impede cash flow. Moreover, this service can boost collections by 10% to 20% while reducing billing costs.
Transitioning to a new billing solution can be challenging for practices, as downtime must be kept to a minimum to maintain billing capabilities. ClaimCare's Expedited Billing Solution ensures a fully operational billing system within a week. This solution is particularly advantageous in cases where a practice loses its in-house biller or has a backlog of claims.
In addition to billing services, ClaimCare offers a range of ancillary services, including credentialing, contracts, front office staff training, and integrated billing and scheduling software, to alleviate administrative burdens.
ClaimCare stands out from its competitors by offering a Service Level Guarantee backed by quantifiable benchmarks. Notably, it guarantees that "85% of your charges will be resolved within 60 days." This commitment demonstrates ClaimCare's dedication to delivering reliable and efficient services to its clients.
ClaimCare Medical Billing: Drawbacks
Despite the fact that ClaimCare Medical Billing Services has been operating for close to twenty years, it is unsettling that, despite our best efforts, we were unable to locate even one user review online. Furthermore, the business does have a social media presence through its Facebook page, which hasn't been updated since July 2020. Although it has a favorable reputation overall, it only has "40 Likes," which isn't that impressive considering the number of clients it claims to have. With just 19 followers and no updates since 2020, things on Twitter haven't really improved either.
The service's website needs more information about its features. For example, it doesn't say if ClaimCare works with all EHRs or only some. It does say that an EHR can be bundled with the service, but it doesn't say how much extra it might cost. There's also no mention of mobile apps for iOS and Android to access billing services remotely, and we couldn't find an app in either platform's store. Finally, the website doesn't mention any specific desktop platform requirements for ClaimCare.
As discussed later, the pricing information on the website is also pretty vague. The same goes for the support options, which are also discussed later. They're not easy to find on the website.
(Image credit: ClaimCare)
ClaimCare Medical Billing: Support
Based on the information provided on ClaimCare's website, the primary support option appears to be through an online portal. Users can submit their questions via this portal, and an email address is required to receive a response. Recently, ClaimCare added the option to provide a phone number and specify the preferred method of response, either by phone or email. This is a notable improvement since our last review of their services.
However, it's worth noting that some competing platforms offer additional features, such as the ability to upload attachments to better illustrate an issue, such as annotating a screenshot. This option is currently lacking in ClaimCare's support portal.
We also lament the lack of other options for support, such as directly via phone, online chat, or some self support options. There is also no indication what the hours or days for support are.
Furthermore, we’d like to admit that we get a little concerned when the numbers listed on the support page to their online portal are all for sales, and not to support the product. We are disappointed by the absence of alternative support options such as phone support, online chat, or self-support resources. Additionally, there is no clear information regarding the availability and operating hours of the support team.
Furthermore, it is concerning that the contact numbers provided on the support page are solely dedicated to sales and not to product support.
ClaimCare Medical Billing: Pricing
When it comes to pricing transparency, ClaimCare falls short. Navigating their website, one cannot find any straightforward information about their rates. Instead, potential customers are expected to contact the company directly to discuss their specific needs and receive a custom quote. The only hint regarding pricing is ClaimCare's claim that they offer "The most competitive billing rates in the industry," which, while enticing, lacks concrete details.
Contrary to expectations, the reality might not be as positive. After conducting extensive research, we discovered that ClaimCare's pricing structure is based on a monthly fee per provider, ranging from approximately $200 (£154) to $300 (£231), depending on the number of providers and the volume of services. It's unclear if there are lower costs for non-MD practices, such as optometry or physical therapy. Additionally, there are concerns regarding potential extra costs. For instance, the initial transfer of records can incur an estimated expense of $500 (£385) for every 1,000 records, and the initial training sessions may cost around $200 (£154) per session.
ClaimCare Medical Billing: Final verdict
ClaimCare Medical Billing Services has some appealing features, including its Instant Payment Plan, which accelerates payments to clinicians and decreases the time it takes to collect accounts receivable. Additionally, its setup process can be completed in less than a week, and it provides helpful ancillary services like credentialing.
However, there are also some significant drawbacks to consider. The company lacks transparency in its pricing, which can be a concern for potential customers. It also offers limited support options and does not have any user reviews available, making it difficult to assess the quality of its services.
Ultimately, each practice must determine the best billing solution for its needs. However, our assessment is that there are stronger alternatives available on the market.
CureMD is a company that provides health information systems and medical billing services to healthcare organizations of all sizes. It offers cloud-based solutions for electronic health records, practice management, billing, telemedicine, and more. CureMD aims to simplify decision making, streamline operations, and ensure compliance with industry standards and best practices. CureMD has won several awards and recognitions, such as Best in KLAS, Top Performing RCM Vendor, and Most Promising Healthcare Solutions. CureMD also caters to different specialties and workflows, and supports COVID-19 vaccine management.
CureMD Medical Billing: Features
CureMD is a cloud-based health information system designed to streamline practice operations and enhance patient care. It offers a comprehensive suite of features that caters to the diverse needs of healthcare providers, including:
1. Electronic Health Records (EHR):
CureMD's EHR system provides a centralized platform to store and manage patient health information. It allows healthcare professionals to access patient records, track medical history, document encounters, and collaborate with other providers, fostering improved care coordination. This also includes e-consents.
2. Practice Management:
CureMD's practice management module simplifies administrative tasks, allowing healthcare providers to focus on patient care. It includes features such as appointment scheduling, patient registration, insurance verification, billing, and reporting, helping to streamline workflows and optimization of revenue cycle management.
3. Telehealth:
With the increasing demand for virtual care, CureMD offers an integrated telehealth solution. This feature enables healthcare providers to conduct secure video consultations with patients from any location, providing convenient access to care while maintaining social distancing protocols.
Moreover, CureMD's telehealth solution is designed to streamline workflows and optimize the healthcare delivery process. It seamlessly integrates with the platform's robust suite of features, allowing healthcare providers to access patient records, review medical histories, and document encounters efficiently. This integration ensures continuity of care, enables accurate and up-to-date documentation, and enhances overall operational efficiency.
(Image credit: CureMD)
4. Patient Engagement:
CureMD recognizes the importance of patient engagement in healthcare. Its patient portal allows patients to access their health information, communicate with providers, schedule appointments, and pay bills online. This enhanced patient engagement promotes better self-management and improves the overall healthcare experience.
5. Clinical Decision Support:
CureMD's clinical decision support system provides real-time clinical insights to healthcare professionals. It offers evidence-based guidelines, drug interactions, and treatment recommendations, assisting providers in making informed decisions for better patient outcomes.
6. Reporting and Analytics:
CureMD's robust reporting and analytics engine allows healthcare providers to gain valuable insights into their practice performance. Customizable reports offer a clear overview of key metrics, such as patient visits, revenue, and clinical outcomes, empowering providers to make data-driven decisions for practice growth.
7. Interoperability:
CureMD understands the significance of seamless data exchange. It offers open APIs and integrates with various third-party applications, including labs, pharmacies, and imaging centers. This interoperability ensures smooth data flow and eliminates the need for manual data entry, enhancing efficiency and reducing errors.
These are some of the features that CureMD offers to its users. We also note that an Android app has been recently added to help mobile users, and there is also the iOS version as well.
CureMD Medical Billing: Drawbacks
One notable disadvantage of CureMD is its browser specificity, as users have expressed concerns regarding the restriction to using solely Internet Explorer. Additionally, there are grievances related to software glitches and difficulties in completing tasks. Furthermore, the speed of CureMD is deemed inadequate, posing challenges to workflow efficiency and hindering its ability to handle busy office hours, particularly when inputting lab orders. Moreover, the sales process has attracted criticism due to instances of customers being upsold on unnecessary services. Lastly, the billing department's responsiveness to customer issues is considered unsatisfactory.
(Image credit: CureMD)
CureMD Medical Billing: Support
If you need any support or assistance with CureMD, you have several options to contact their team. You can use the support ticket link at the top of your CureMD EHR & PM to access the support portal. You can also send an email to support@curemd.com with your name, practice name, call back number and a brief description of your issue. Alternatively, you can call the support helpline at (212) 852 0279 or (718) 684 9298 between 8 am - 8:30 pm EST. You can also visit the FAQs page for more information on common issues and solutions.
CureMD Medical Billing: Pricing
CureMD offers different pricing options for its products and services, depending on the features and functionalities you need. Here are some of the pricing plans that CureMD provides:
1. For practice management (PM): $195/month/provider
2. For electronic health records (EHR): $295/month/provider
3. For all-in-one (PM + EHR): $395/month/provider
4. For billing services: As low as 3% of collections
You can also request a personalized quote for your specific practice needs by filling out a form on their website.
CureMD also offers a free trial, a limited time $0 switch to EHR offer, and a MIPS, Meaningful Use and ICD-10 guarantee.
CureMD Medical Billing: Final verdict
CureMD Medical Billing Services presents itself as a logical extension of the CureMD EHR platform. Its advantages encompass a range of support options, an application tailored for both iOS and Android mobile platforms, and a rigorous claims scrubbing process. However, these benefits must be weighed against certain drawbacks, such as the limited transparency regarding pricing, and the comparatively higher cost of the product. While CureMD Medical Billing Services may serve as a suitable extension for those already committed to the EHR platform, potential users are advised to utilize the available free trial to thoroughly assess whether this platform aligns with their requirements before making a final decision.
AdvancedMD Medical Billing is a company that provides cloud-based software for medical practices. It offers solutions for electronic health records (EHR), practice management (PM), telemedicine, patient engagement, analytics, and more. It serves over 16,000 physicians and 60,000+ users in nearly all medical specialties in all 50 states. It was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in South Jordan, Utah. It is part of Global Payments, a leading provider of payment technology and software solutions
AdvancedMD Medical Billing: Features
The AdvancedMD platform combines a widely used EHR with medical billing software, offering a fully integrated billing solution. This seamless integration between the billing module and the EHR streamlines front office operations. For instance, the integration with Medical Scheduling and other front office tools allows for effortless collection of copays after office visits. With the "One-click display of patient information, copays, and eligibility," healthcare professionals can easily access the necessary information, eliminating the need for extensive patient searches.
Furthermore, this integration extends to payment processing as well. The billing software is compatible with credit card processing, allowing charges to be automatically posted to the patient's account with a simple swipe. This streamlined approach simplifies and expedites the billing process for healthcare providers.
(Image credit: AdvancedMD)
With a track record dating back to 1999, AdvancedMD boasts unrivaled expertise in cloud-based storage for EHR data. This approach offers several benefits, including seamless backend updates, ensuring that end-users consistently utilize the latest software version. The cloud-based model eliminates additional costs associated with software upgrades, hourly backups, and the latest encryption technology, thus maintaining HIPAA compliance. Moreover, hosting data on the cloud facilitates mobile platform usage through iOS devices. An Android app has been developed as well, although it only has just over 1k downloads, and no rating.
Furthermore, the cloud-based approach greatly enhances the functionality of this EMR, particularly in multi-location practices with numerous providers. Managing and updating bills in such scenarios can be a significant challenge when using traditional, locally-run software solutions. AdvancedMD's Centralized Billing, accessible via the cloud, simplifies this task by allowing effortless management of multiple providers across diverse locations. This functionality stems from the integration of all data into a centralized database.
(Image credit: AdvancedMD)
AdvancedMD introduces the Claims Inspector, an innovative billing feature designed to enhance claim acceptance rates. This feature proactively identifies potential errors related to CCI, HIPAA, and LCD before claim submission, preventing claim rejections and reducing unpaid claims. By catching errors early, AdvancedMD boasts an impressive "almost-100% first-pass claim acceptance rate." Additionally, the Claims Inspector allows users to batch-check insurance eligibility prior to appointments, minimizing the risk of unexpected coverage issues and ensuring a smoother billing process.
AdvancedMD Medical Billing: Drawbacks
User reviews of AdvancedMD have revealed several shortcomings. Many users found the software difficult to navigate, citing slow performance and inflexible templates as additional pain points. Furthermore, users reported instances of lost documents and billing issues when claims failed to process. To make matters worse, customer service was often difficult to reach, and when users did get through, they experienced poor accountability and resolution of their issues. Overall, AdvancedMD's shortcomings can lead to a frustrating user experience.
AdvancedMD Medical Billing: Support
If you need any support or assistance with AdvancedMD, you have several options to contact them. You can:
Visit their Support Center at Support.AdvancedMD.com for FAQs, knowledge base articles, training resources and more.
Live chat with a Support Advocate by logging into the AdvancedMD platform and selecting “Get Help.” This method has the fastest response times.
For general customer support, email: Support@AdvancedMD.com
Call their toll-free number: 1-800-825-0224. Their hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. MT.
(Image credit: AdvancedMD)
AdvancedMD Medical Billing: Pricing
AdvancedMD has different pricing plans depending on your needs and preferences. Here is a summary of their pricing plans:
Medical Billing & EMR/EHR Software: This plan includes both the EHR and PM solutions, as well as other features such as telemedicine, patient engagement, and analytics. This plan starts at $729 per provider per month.
Medical Billing Software: This plan includes only the PM solution, which covers billing, scheduling, reporting, and more. This plan starts at $429 per provider per month.
Revenue Cycle Management: This plan includes the EHR and PM solutions, as well as a dedicated team of billing experts who handle your claims, denials, and collections. This plan charges a percentage of your monthly collections, which varies depending on your specialty and volume.
You can also customize your plan by adding extra features or services, such as electronic eligibility, electronic remittance advice, advanced fax, advanced insight, lab interfaces, e-prescribing, and more.
AdvancedMD Medical Billing: Final verdict
The AdvancedMD Medical Billing solution represents a comprehensively integrated offering designed to enhance the already-capable AdvancedMD EHR. The advantages of the solution encompass software claim scrubbing, seamless integration with patient scheduling, and secure cloud-based hosting of data.
Conversely, it is essential to acknowledge certain drawbacks highlighted in user reviews, including limited support, a challenging user interface, and sporadic technical glitches resulting in downtime.
In conclusion, for existing users of the AdvancedMD EHR platform, transitioning to the Medical Billing solution presents a logical and sequential step. However, for users who are content with their current EHR platform, the advantages of switching to AdvancedMD Medical Billing may not be sufficient to warrant the transition.
Kareo, now operating as Tebra, is a leading provider of integrated telemedicine software and medical billing service. In 2021, Kareo, known for its cloud-based clinical and financial software, merged with PatientPop, a leader in practice growth technology. This union resulted in the birth of Tebra, which serves as the digital backbone for practice success.
Tebra’s mission is to unlock better healthcare by empowering independent practices to deliver modernized care to patients everywhere. They are committed to improving every step of the care journey for both providers and patients. Currently, 85 million patients benefit from Tebra’s services, with over 107,000 providers (and growing) rely on Tebra. The company boasts 1,000+ employees, with 43,000 practices running on Tebra’s platform.
Kareo Billing: Features
The central offering of Kareo is Kareo Clinical, a digital platform tailored for smaller practices. It caters to the needs of electronic charting, prescription writing, code encounters, and patient management. Additionally, Kareo Engage provides online marketing strategies and SEO services. While Kareo is well-suited for smaller practices, it may not be the ideal solution for larger enterprises.
Kareo also offers another module known as Kareo Billing, which streamlines the billing process to expedite payments to healthcare professionals. Leveraging its comprehensive end-to-end claims tracking system, Kareo efficiently reduces the time for bills to be held in accounts receivable. The process begins with Kareo's ability to upload patient demographic data, supporting documents, and verify insurance eligibility. To streamline the billing workflow, smart checks are incorporated to facilitate smooth claims processing.
(Image credit: Kareo)
An additional advantage of Kareo Billing is its cloud-based data storage. While the software is downloaded to the user's computer, all data is securely uploaded to the cloud-based Kareo server.
Kareo Billing offers comprehensive charge management, ensuring that charges are accurately captured and managed. It is ICD-10 compliant, providing integrated tools for selecting the correct codes to enhance billing and reduce resubmissions. Kareo also features a secure messaging system that facilitates secure communication between patients, providers, employees, and billers when issues arise.
Kareo Billing offers seamless integration with intuitive billing analytics. These analytics empower practice managers to readily assess the financial health of their practice through comprehensive reports. Kareo's dashboard presents this information in a user-friendly format, making it easily comprehensible and actionable for better decision-making.
Kareo Billing: Drawbacks
Kareo's older platform architecture introduces some drawbacks. It experiences frequent downtime and poses challenges for clinicians trying to upload data. Clinicians reported slow transfer speeds and incomplete data uploads, leading to missing information.
Users have reported subpar customer service from Kareo, citing a lack of follow-up when issues are reported. Recurring problems have been known to bounce between multiple departments without being resolved. Additionally, users have stated that the services provided differ from what was promised during the sales process.
(Image credit: Kareo)
Kareo Billing: Support
During the initial onboarding phase with Kareo, complimentary onboarding assistance is provided to facilitate a smooth transition for the healthcare practice. Subsequently, beyond the initial onboarding period, the available support options are streamlined, though they remain more comprehensive than most competitors offer.
Kareo offers a diverse range of support channels. These include online chat, which is accessible on weekdays, from Monday to Friday, during the hours between 5:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), excluding holidays. Additionally, clients have the option to submit inquiries via email to support@karemo.com. Finally, clients may engage with a live agent through the Kareo chat function. It is important to note that telephone communication is reserved exclusively for sales purposes and is not available for support inquiries.
Formerly known as Kareo University, the self-help platform has undergone a rebranding initiative and is now referred to as Tebra University.
(Image credit: Kareo)
Kareo Billing: Pricing
Like other Kareo products, Kareo Billing is not transparent about its pricing structure. While each practice has different needs, providing potential customers with a rough cost estimate before requiring them to contact the company for a custom quote would enhance their experience.
Our research exposed substantial variations in the cost of Kareo software, influenced by client type and chosen modules. Physician and optometry clients face monthly costs ranging from $150 to $300, with the billing module as the priciest component. Therapists and non-MD clients enjoy a more budget-friendly monthly rate of $50 to $150 for the modules. While subsequent modules come at a 50% discount after the initial purchase, there are no discounts for additional providers. On the positive side, there are no startup costs, cancellation fees, or charges for office staff to use the software.
For busy practices, Kareo's fixed monthly cost is appealing; however, it could be the reason for the lack of assertive collections during billing. On the other hand, certain competing services have a fixed percentage structure, where they receive payment only after collections. This structure provides billing services with a greater incentive to pursue claims collection.
Despite the absence of a free trial, the company offers an alternative in the form of a free demo.
Kareo Billing: Final verdict
Among the modules offered by Tebra, Kareo Billing is a prominent one. Its advantages include an affordable fixed cost, multiple support options, and flexible plans based on the number of chosen modules. However, the service is not without its drawbacks. Poor customer service, opaque pricing, and occasional downtimes due to an aging platform are some of the areas where Kareo falls short. While it may have appealing features, some users have reported negative experiences that may outweigh the positives, making its overall service questionable.
Since 2001, Human Medical Billing, situated in Ventura, California, has excelled in billing and accounts receivable management for private medical practices. They go beyond basic services by offering valuable ancillary services such as medical coding, denial management, coding audits and negotiation of managed care contracts. They have a seasoned executive staff, with experience in the financial challenges of running a medical practice. With expertise in various billing software systems, Human Medical Billing is well-equipped to serve single and multi-provider practices across multiple locations.
Human Medical Billing: Features
This Human Medical Billing service offers several appealing features. Firstly, it is compatible with any EHR platform a practice may be using. Given that most practices already utilize an EHR, choosing a medical billing service that integrates well with their existing platform is crucial. This approach eliminates the need for costly retraining, potential downtime, and the hassle associated with transitioning to a new system. Additionally, practices not currently using an EHR are provided with one at no extra cost.
Another advantage is the service's flexible contractual requirements. Unlike some others that impose lengthy and restrictive contracts, Human Medical Billing offers a straightforward and non-binding agreement. This allows clients to terminate the service with just a 30-day notice, ensuring no long-term commitment. The flexibility offered by Human Medical Billing serves as a motivator for them to consistently provide top-tier service, understanding that customers have the option to seek alternatives if they are not satisfied. Furthermore, their impressive A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau serves as a testament to their reliability and dedication to customer satisfaction.
(Image credit: Human Medical Billing)
This service follows a systematic process for charge collection. It begins by gathering patient charges from the office daily through the EMR or manual data entry by staff. Medical claims software is then employed to scrub the claims and eliminate errors. The claims are invoiced, and payments are received electronically and through paper remittances. Human Medical Billing allows clients to choose whether they want payments directly from the payer. According to Human Medical Billing, private payers typically process payments within 7 days, while Medicare payments are received 14 days after submission.
These payments are reviewed, cross-checked with fee schedules, and entered into the system to ensure accurate reimbursements. Patient balances are billed accordingly, and follow-up mailings and phone calls are made to collect payments. Human Medical Billing provides patients with an 800 number for billing inquiries. Additionally, the practice receives Aging Reports to stay informed about outstanding bills and collections. For overdue payments, Human Medical Billing assigns their Reimbursement Specialist to pursue the claim, maximizing collection efforts and minimizing bad debt. The practice is kept updated through regular reports, and clients can access their accounts 24/7 via a secure online interface.
Human Medical Billing: Support
There is no requirement for any software, as Human Medical Services performs their billing through the physician's existing platform. Furthermore, there are no mobile applications available for use.
Obtaining support is done through direct contact with your assigned account manager. It is reported that there are only three account managers, and their direct cell phone numbers are provided to users for assistance when required.
However, we were unable to locate any self-help information aside from a FAQ that was more applicable to the service selection process rather than its usage, as well as a blog that receives a limited number of posts per year.
Human Medical Billing: Pricing
Human Medical Billing employs a highly transparent pricing structure that is predicated upon a percentage of collections. The rate ranges from 5% to 7% of total collections, which signifies that this company has a vested interest in the outcome, as it will not receive compensation unless collections are made. This structure provides an incentive for Human Medical Billing to prioritize and maximize collections. Additionally, Human Medical Billing does not receive payment until the practice does, eliminating any upfront costs for their services.
The percentage range is determined by the total amount of collections, allowing for the negotiation of a lower rate at higher volumes. It is important to note that there is a minimum monthly expenditure requirement of $500.
Human Medical Billing offers a range of additional services, some of which incur undisclosed costs. These services include complimentary medical transcription, credentialing services, a social media profile for the practice, and online patient scheduling. While Human Medical Billing does not charge separately for these services, utilizing them is subject to a "minimum monthly billing" requirement. Additionally, there is an unspecified "low start-up" charge.
Human Medical Billing: Final verdict
For practices seeking a straightforward solution to outsource medical billing, Human Medical Billing presents a simplified service. It caters to those who want to retain their existing EHR without the need for complex software or lengthy contracts. Its uncomplicated pricing structure, based on a percentage charge of collections, aligns with the needs of these practices.
On the other hand, those seeking a comprehensive solution with advanced features like mobile apps, deeper EHR integration, and robust support options may find Human Medical Billing lacking.
For smaller practices exploring outsourcing their billing, Human Medical Billing serves as an accessible and affordable entry point.
DrChrono was founded in 2009 by Michael Nusimow and Daniel Kivatinos. These laser-focused innovators experienced firsthand the frustrations of the current healthcare system while trying to help family members through serious diagnoses. This determination led to the creation of DrChrono, with a mission to remove administrative burdens and create a world where every provider and patient can thrive, with a focus on their EHR, and also medical billing.
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DrChrono: Features
Managing efficient medical billing processes is essential for the financial health of any practice. DrChrono EHR can streamline these processes to reduce errors and improve cash flow.
Using DrChrono's integrated billing module, healthcare providers can generate "Clean claims" that avoid costly resubmissions and reduce the risk of rejected claims. The system also checks for human errors to ensure accuracy. This integration creates an economy of scale by allowing patient information and demographics to be entered once for both clinical documentation and billing purposes.
The ability to create a billing profile is a valuable tool for streamlining the billing process. It allows healthcare providers to save their most commonly used diagnoses and billing codes, which can then be easily retrieved when billing for patient services. This feature reduces the amount of data entry required and saves valuable time, allowing providers to focus on patient care and other critical tasks.
There are multiple benefits for creating a billing profile. These include reduced data entry, which by saving your most commonly used diagnoses and billing codes, you can reduce the amount of data entry required when billing for patient services. This can help to improve accuracy and efficiency, and it can also free up your time to focus on other important tasks. Another benefit is improved accuracy so you can be confident that you are using the correct codes for the services you have provided. This can help to reduce the risk of errors and ensure that you are reimbursed correctly for your services.Finally, there is increased efficiency to help streamline the billing process and make it more efficient. This can free up your time to focus on patient care and other critical tasks.
(Image credit: DrChrono)
DrChrono EHR also fully integrates payments into its medical billing module. Healthcare providers no longer need to deal with physical checks but can instead receive payments via Electronic Remittance Advice (ERA). This eliminates the need for trips to the bank and ensures that payments are received near instantaneously via direct deposit.
The integrated billing dashboard in DrChrono EHR provides real-time analytics to maximize productivity. Through intuitive reports and graphs, providers can easily view and analyze data to make informed decisions.
DrChrono: Drawbacks
Based on reviews from DrChrono users, some drawbacks of this software have come to light. Firstly, despite having an iOS app, the lack of an Android app is a notable omission. Furthermore, users have expressed dissatisfaction with the limited customization options, along with unscheduled downtime that can disrupt productivity and hinder efficient workflows.
Another significant issue is the lack of flexibility in DrChrono's medical billing feature. It is designed exclusively to work with their EHR, which poses a problem for offices that have already invested in and transitioned to a different EHR system. This limitation necessitates ditching their existing EHR in favor of DrChrono, which can be a major inconvenience and expense. To address this concern, it would be preferable for DrChrono to offer their medical billing as a standalone application, allowing users to continue utilizing their preferred EHR while leveraging the benefits of DrChrono's billing capabilities. This approach would provide greater flexibility and enable a best-in-class solution tailored to individual needs.
(Image credit: DrChrono)
DrChrono: Support
DrChrono's support system offers a unique approach. It features a well-designed self-help area, categorized for easy navigation. The Medical Billing category, in particular, provides a wealth of ready-to-use information. Topics range from "How to post an HRA payment?" to "How to select the state of accident for auto accident claims?" among many others. New users will find the "Billing Basics" sub-category especially helpful in getting up to speed quickly.
There are other multiple options for direct support. Phone support can be accessed by calling 650-988-5379 for technical assistance with regular support business hours of Monday-Friday 8 am - 8 pm EST / 5 am - 5 pm PST. You can also initiate a support ticket through the DrChrono support portal. Finally, there is live chat which you can access on the DrChrono website.
DrChrono: Pricing
DrChrono does not disclose the pricing for its medical billing services or any of their other services on their website. Interested parties must contact the company through an online form which requires the following background information: Doctor’s specialty, location, and size of the practice.
However, the medical billing gets integrated into other bundled plans, such as the Apollo plan, that puts together EHR, practice management & medical billing software. While not on the website, we did search and find that such packages start at $199.99 per provider per month.
DrChrono: Final verdict
DrChrono aims to streamline administrative tasks and enhance healthcare delivery. Its medical billing feature helps reduce errors and improve cash flow through integrated billing, clean claims generation, and accuracy checks. Creating a billing profile saves time and improves accuracy by allowing providers to store commonly used diagnoses and billing codes. The integrated billing dashboard offers real-time analytics for informed decision-making.
However, drawbacks include the lack of an Android app, limited customization options, unscheduled downtime, and inflexibility in working with external EHR systems. DrChrono's support system includes self-help resources, phone and ticket support, and live chat. Pricing is not disclosed on the website and requires contacting the company, but integrated medical billing is available as part of bundled plans starting at $199.99 per provider per month.
Ultimately, if the DrChronos EHR aligns with your practice's requirements, then their medical billing solution presents a logical choice. However, practices that are already utilizing another platform must carefully consider whether a complete transition to a different platform aligns with their strategic objectives and operational needs.
• Original review date: January 202
• Newer Sony A9 III now available
• Launch price: $4,500 / £4,800 / AU$7,299
• Official price now: $4,499 / £4,199 / AU$6,499
Updated: February 2024. It took Sony three years to release the third-generation A9 late in 2023, but the Sony A9 II remains an excellent pro shooter even today. It's had some firmware updates since its release and slight price drop too, but if you can pick up at a discounted price, its performance is worth every penny. The Sony A9 II doesn't always get a discount, even during major sales like Black Friday, but if you keep your eyes open, it's possible to snap it up (pun entirely intended) for around $3,100 / £2,800 / AU$5,300. The rest of this review remains as previously published.
Until May 2017, the kings of professional sports and press photography were two DSLRs – the Canon EOS 1D X Mark II and the Nikon D5. Then Sony launched the Alpha A9 and changed the game. Smaller, lighter and ridiculously fast, the original full-frame mirrorless sports shooter from Sony was one of the best snappers we had tested.
Fast forward to 2019 and the second generation A9 is on the market, trying to tempt the pros to upgrade. However, Sony has mostly held on to the core specs from the first-gen A9 and has chosen to make what, on paper, seems like only incremental upgrades to the A9 II. Those little tweaks may not mean much to the average user, but professionals in the field who rely on ridiculously quick turnovers and need high-speed performance will be the ones to appreciate what the Sony Alpha A9 II has to offer. It’s these users that the A9 line of cameras was designed for, and the latest model does not disappoint.
With so much that’s similar to the previous model, we’ve decided to list what’s great about the newer version in this review so as not to repeat ourselves. We’ve listed all the new features and then jumped straight to image quality so you can decide for yourself whether it’s worth the upgrade or not. That said, the A9 II costs a pretty penny (having launched with a price tag of $4,500 / £4,800 / AU$7,299) while the original A9 has seen a significant price drop. So, do the small changes make the Alpha A9 II a worthwhile purchase?
(Image credit: TechRadar)
Design & features
Larger, deeper hand grip
10fps burst with mechanical shutter
Built-in 1000BASE-T Ethernet terminal
60-second voice memo
There’s a total of 43 features that are different in the Sony Alpha A9 II as compared to its predecessor, with only a few subtle physical differences that make the newer model an absolute pleasure to use.
One of those design changes is the larger and deeper grip that, even for those with small hands, makes the camera quite comfortable to hold and use for hours on end. The AF-ON button is now larger and more prominent, while the multi-selector joystick is now textured and thus more tactile, making it easier to find and use without taking your eye off the viewfinder.
Sony Alpha A9 II key specs
Sensor: 24.2MP full-frame Exmor RS BSI CMOS sensor Lens mount: Sony FE Screen: 3.0-inch tilt-angle touchscreen; 1,440K dots Burst speed: Up to 20fps Autofocus: Hybrid AF; 693 phase- and 425 contrast-detect points ISO: 100-51200 (exp 50-204800) Video: 4K/30p Connectivity: Wi-Fi (5GHz), USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 1), Bluetooth, HDMI mini, LAN, NFC Weight: 678g (with battery + card)
While the drive dial remains unchanged from the A9, the exposure compensation dial on the top right corner of the camera now sports a locking button to prevent accidental changes. There's also a redesigned lens lock button on the A9 II, along with better padding for shock absorption around the lens mount. The camera also has better weather sealing than the older model, with double-sealed sliders for ports, the card slots, and battery compartment rather than just hinged seals.
However, the biggest advantage the A9 II has over its predecessor is the ability to shoot continuously twice as fast – using the mechanical shutter, the Mark II can capture up to 10 frames per second, making it a better shooter to use under certain artificial lights. In fact, for sports photographers shooting in indoor stadiums, there’s a new anti-flicker mode that detects fluorescent lighting and adjusts exposure accordingly. It's worth noting that the anti-flicker mode is not available while filming videos or when using the electronic shutter.
Design changes aside, it’s the improvements to the camera’s connectivity that really makes this shooter one of the best options for pros. The most important among them is the upgraded 1000BASE-T Ethernet port that is ten times faster than the 100MB/s terminal on the original A9 (we were able to transfer a batch of 300 JPEGs with a file size of about 11MB each in just under a minute and a half). Even the USB-C port is now the faster 3.2 Gen 1 standard, while the Wi-Fi supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz as opposed to just the 2.4GHz in the original A9. These improvements in connectivity will allow photographers to transfer files directly to FTP servers quickly. Up to 10 different FTP settings can be saved to an SD card and reloaded onto the A9 II, while Sony’s Imaging Edge mobile app can save up to 20.
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Another really cool feature that many photojournalists will be glad to use is the voice memo. Vocal instructions of up to 60 seconds in length can be recorded for individual images or a series of shots – a huge help for teams waiting back in the office to use the images wherever necessary. The memos can also be converted into text that get added to the JPEG file’s metadata, although this needs to be done on the Imaging Edge app.
A new low-vibration shutter design has improved image stabilization in the A9 II by half a stop, now rated at 5.5 stops. However, in real-world testing, we were hard pressed to tell the difference between the two iterations, with the A9’s IBIS still rather impressive.
Another tiny tweak that can go a long way is the slight improvement in battery life – where the A9 was rated for 650 shots when using the LCD display and 480 while using the viewfinder, the second generation shooter can manage to spit out up to 690 and 500 respectively.
Practically everything else has been inherited from the older camera and you can refer back to our in-depth Sony Alpha A9 review to find out more about the other features.
Autofocus
Real-time Eye AF for 4K video
Improved AF algorithm
We were unable to test the camera in sports arenas as people weren’t comfortable with us publishing photographs of them on a public platform, so we tried the next best thing – wildlife. This kind of photography requires a fast and precise autofocus system, especially when taking photos of birds, and the A9 II did not disappoint.
The AF on the original A9 was practically perfect – fast and reliable in equal measure. At the time we thought it wasn’t possible to make it any better but, boy, were we wrong. All it took was a tiny tweak to the AF algorithm – made possible by the new Bionz X processor – to give the new camera’s autofocus performance a boost by improving subject tracking, even when using smaller apertures with Focus Priority switched on.
Tracking is precise and can keep up with erratically moving subjects as well (like birds flying and changing directions suddenly). The camera’s AF system does occasionally have trouble when the head of the subject disappears briefly and then reappears – we found that the AF system wasn’t able to lock back onto the subject’s head, but was more than capable of tracking the body.
The Sony A9 II can stay locked on to the main subject even when an obstacle gets in the way | Click here to see the full-size image (Image credit: TechRadar)
Even when an obstacle gets in between the subject and the camera, the Sony A9 II is intelligent enough to know it needs to stay locked onto the main subject. In our case, this was demonstrated when we were photographing a tower of giraffes at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo. While we were focused on one animal, another ambled past between us and the giraffe we were shooting, and the A9 II didn’t even blink, staying locked on to our main subject.
The biggest improvement to the AF system, though, is the addition of real-time eye-detect autofocus when recording 4K video, something that’s missing in the older A9 model.
A few other tiny tweaks have been made to the AF system as well, including adding the ability to move the focus frame even when the shutter or the AF-ON button is half-pressed. You can also change the color of the focus frame to whatever catches your fancy. If you prefer using the rear LCD for touch-tracking, you can do so even when using the viewfinder to shoot.
Image quality
Expandable ISO range of 50 - 208,800
Excellent ISO performance
Decent dynamic range
Like its predecessor, the A9 II delivers some superb results. The 24.2MP sensor delivers images that are sharp, with great colors and plenty of details. However, RAW files have more chroma (color) noise as compared to JPEGs due to the camera’s high rate of calculations, but nothing that can’t be fixed during post processing.
ISO performance is excellent with virtually no noise at the lower values and very acceptable levels when you climb up to 12,800 and 25,600, as seen in the below image of a bird in the water.
Sony Alpha A9 II with FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 OSS; 1/400 sec at f/5.6, ISO 12,800 | Click here to see the full-size image (Image credit: TechRadar)
The above shot was taken at ISO 12,800 and then cropped down by 20%. The uncropped image barely showed signs of luminance, with some grain visible only after cropping to zoom in closer to the subject. While noise becomes evident at 51,200 and higher, you should still be fine taking it up to 102,400 although we’d advise going that high only if you absolutely have to and if you’re shooting JPEGs.
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Sony Alpha A9 II with FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 OSS; 1/500 sec at f/5.6, ISO 200 (Image credit: TechRadar)
The A9 II does have a decent dynamic range, although it’s still not quite a match for Sony’s megapixel monsters, but that’s only because the A7R series was designed for landscape photography. The A9 II holds its own when compared to the Canon EOS 1D X Mark II and the Nikon D5 (the latter is marvelous in low light), and plenty of details can be extracted from shadows when working on your shots later, even when just using a slider in the most basic photo editing apps.
Verdict
The A9 II was designed specifically with the photojournalist in mind. For the average user, this camera will likely be overkill, with most of the new features going unused and under-appreciated. For the target audience though, this is one heck of an upgrade over the original A9. It feels a lot more refined and a far more efficient tool for photographers in the field.
Our only complaint would be the absence of XQD or CFexpress card slots that would see files saved to card much quicker, and the limited touchscreen functionality – both of which remain the same as in the A9. Other than adding real-time eye-AF to 4K video recording, no other improvements have been made for shooting movies. There’s still no S-Log support and the camera can only record 8-bit 4:2:0 video internally. The only way to output 8-bit 4:2:2 video is externally via the micro HDMI port.
However, Sony has released some very good long lenses that weren’t available when the A9 launched in 2017, making the A9 II a very compelling sports camera, despite the competition it’s likely going to have from the Canon EOS 1D X Mark III and the Nikon D6.
Competition
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Canon EOS 1D X Mark III
Canon’s latest sports DSLR has plenty to offer, including a higher continuous shooting speed of 16fps when using the mechanical shutter (as opposed to the A9 II’s 10fps burst). For anyone keen on capturing video, Canon has made this an ideal hybrid shooter, with C-Log 4:2:2 10-bit in-camera recording. While we’re yet to test this new camera fully, it’s shaping up to be a formidable competitor.
While we wait for the Nikon D6 to make its official debut, the D5 is still the low-light king amongst sports cameras, with an extended ISO range that goes up to a staggering 3,280,000 still not found in any other shooter. While its 173 AF points might seem a tad dated right now, its AF performance is still topnotch. So until we know more about the D6, this would be a superb choice for a sports DSLR.
It would be remiss of us if we didn't include the game-changing sports mirrorless shooter here. The original A9 is still a very impressive camera – after all, the second generation model is based mostly on this snapper. And with a significant price drop since the launch of the Mark II, the A9 is a compelling choice for those without the spare change for the more expensive newer pro-level sports shooters.
ZyDoc Medical Transcription established in 1993 in Islandia, NY, aims to enhance physician efficiency through technology and services. Dr. James Maisel, an ophthalmologist, founded the company and continues to serve as its Chairman and CEO. ZyDoc's notable achievements include developing one of the first multimedia electronic medical records (EMRs), which was later acquired by the US Department of Defense. ZyDoc's customer base includes prestigious organizations such as the Surgical Arts Centre, Aetna, and the Island Eye Surgicenter.
ZyDoc Medical Transcription: Features
ZyDoc's dictation feature is a cornerstone of its functionality, streamlining clinical documentation transcription for physicians. With clinicians dictating at an average rate of 100 words per minute, as indicated by ZyDoc, and considering that few physicians can type at that speed, dictation emerges as a superior method compared to typing. ZyDoc reports a significant increase in speed with dictation, representing a notable 61% improvement.
One of the most essential factors to consider when using dictation is accuracy. ZyDoc stands out in this aspect as each file undergoes a two-step process. The first step is transcription, followed by editing. It's important to note that these steps are performed by different professionals, and all editors are based in the US, which contributes to this service’s impressive accuracy rate starting at 98% even on their lowest tier.
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Another key distinction is that the transcription is done by real medical transcriptionists with a "Closed-Loop Feedback and Quality Assurance Process," not just relying on computer voice recognition like some services use to cut costs. This process ensures the removal of "filler words" such as "Um" during transcription, resulting in a polished and accurate document.
With ZyDoc, users can choose from several dictation methods to accommodate their preferences. These methods include a toll-free number, a handheld digital voice recorder with included submission software, or a smartphone dictation app compatible with both iOS and Android platforms.
Additionally, the entire process adheres to HIPAA compliance standards, ensuring that files are encrypted to 128-bits and audio files and transcribed documents are securely stored at an online data center.
ZyDoc Medical Transcription: Drawbacks
Generally, user reviews of the ZyDoc Medical Transcription Service are positive, though there are some criticisms. One of these is that the ZyDoc server can sometimes be overloaded and busy, leading to delays in uploading documents. Additionally, there is a request from one office for some form of notification, such as an email, when a dictation is completed, rather than requiring the user to log in and search for that information.
Another complaint is that when office staff using ZyDoc are interrupted—a common occurrence in busy multitasking environments—is that they lose their place in what they were doing, such as downloading completed dictations, as they get logged out.
ZyDoc Medical Transcription: Support
ZyDoc offers 24/7 support through either a toll-free phone number or a contact portal. For self-help options, there is a FAQ and a blog. While both direct and self-support options could be more comprehensive, the basics are covered.
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ZyDoc Medical Transcription: Pricing
Unlike many competitors that provide no pricing info, ZyDoc eagerly shares this information, and offers a great choice among four tiers of plans.
At the most basic level, SpeechDoc offers a 98% accuracy rate for dictations under 15 minutes with a 24-hour turnaround time. This service is fully HIPAA compliant, with typists located offshore and editors based in the United States, with all editors undergoing background checks. It includes a single letterhead and allows for up to four templates. The cost is a straightforward $0.14 per line, with no faxing surcharge. However, there is an additional $0.10 per minute surcharge for using their toll-free number for dictations, and additionally, STAT dictations incur a surcharge that doubles the cost.
The SpeechDoc Standard plan offers enhanced features compared to the basic plan. With an accuracy rate of 98.6%, two letterheads, and up to 8 templates, it provides more customization options. The key differentiator is the Automated EHR Section-Level Insertion, which effortlessly integrates documents into your EMR, making it worth the higher cost of $0.165 per line. Additionally, the STAT dictation surcharge is reduced to 75%, offering a cost-effective advantage.
Moving up to the next tier is SpeechDoc Professional, with the higher cost of $0.20 per line. This tier raises the guaranteed accuracy rate up to a lofty 99%, and a key benefit is that both the typists and the editor are both US based, and background checked. The turnaround time also drops to 12 hours, and the STAT surcharge also drops to 50% additional. The included letterheads increase to 4, the templates rise to 12, and there are no surcharges for toll free number dictations.
At the top tier is SpeechDoc Enterprise, which costs $0.25 per line. This tier includes all the features of the lower plans, along with more templates and the highest accuracy of 99.6%. The significant advantage of this tier is that there is no additional charge for STAT dictations, with a maximum turnaround time of less than 4 hours.
Regardless of the plan chosen, clinicians have the flexibility to dictate accurately from anywhere, at any time. Furthermore, a 14-day free trial is also offered.
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ZyDoc Medical Transcription: Final verdict
If a facility is in the market for a medical transcription service, ZyDoc offers various features that may be appealing. These include a selection of dictation devices, tiered plan options, professional transcriptionists, and readily available support. However, some potential drawbacks to consider include additional charges on lower-tier plans, particularly for using the toll-free number, offshore transcription at lower tiers, and a lack of notifications for completed documents. Ultimately, ZyDoc provides an affordable solution, and the free trial allows facilities to assess its suitability for their needs.
