Nextech EHR vs. NextGen® Practice Management Solutions

I have and will continue to recommend MDI (a Nextech EMR system) to other ophthalmology/retina practices through the AAOE etalk. MDI was developed by an ophthalmologist specific for ophthalmologists and the specific needs they have which makes it very easy to use. Uploading the images is easy. We are also able to share information with other practices on the system.

Incentivized

To start, Nextgen PM is NOT well-suited for companies who are looking for a could-based product—you will be required to house this software on your own server (this will force that company to maintain their own infrastructure). The solution is great for a company looking for a PM/EHR combo that communicates well with each other. The two modules are owned by the same company and does not require a costly API/bridge to be built between the two programs.

Incentivized

• Integration with our PM system was done in 2009 and they built the bridge between the two companies.
• Drawings and testing images are uploaded easily.
• The ability to keep track of reporting for CMS is very helpful.

Incentivized

• Ability to save favorite phrases and templates to make charting more efficient for providers.
• Ability to interface with Question Diagnostics for certain laboratory tests.
• Ability to send and receive tasks to other user(s) on the system as well as send future tasks and reminders to yourself.

Incentivized

• I would like to be able to close charts correctly for staff who are no longer with us as an administrator

Incentivized

• More robust online scheduling solution
• Integrated solution for online payments
• More Robust AI solution for AI charting for providers

Incentivized

Overall, a very easy and robust system to use for small practices. It enables us to keep billing in house and connectivity with various databases keep the providers "in the know" about what's going on with their patients. Some solutions - such as the patient portal and online scheduling are cumbersome and we have difficulty getting patients to use them.

Incentivized

CUSTOMER SERVICE is above par where NexGen had what we called no-customer service. Ease of use without having the make our own templates constantly. Upgrades are seamless and no added cost.

Incentivized

We feel that Nextgen does not stack up very well against the cloud-based software on the market. Housing the underlying tables on your own hardware requires COSTLY man hours. We are in the business of providing health care services to patients, not database administration. Introducing cloud-based products has had a tremendously positive effect on our business.

Incentivized

• Being able to fax notes immediately to referring doctors and PCPs is very important. It saves on time and paper/toner not having to print out and then fax.
• Not having to develop and/or print out the pictures/FAs and having them upload immediately so doctor can treat at the same visit.

Incentivized

• Nextgen did a good job of transitioning our practice away from paper health records.
• I believe that the Return on Investment would have been much higher had we gone straight to a cloud-based tool.
• By getting our feet wet with Nextgen, we have a pretty good understanding of Practice Management software. In other words, we could plug and play with most systems on the market.

Incentivized