Navigating the Digital Scalpel: Your Ultimate Guide to the Top General Surgery EHR Systems of 2025!

Welcome, savvy surgeons and practice managers, to the definitive guide that will slice through the complexity of choosing the perfect Electronic Health Record (EHR) system for your general surgery practice! In an era where digital precision is as crucial as a steady hand in the operating room, selecting the right General Surgery EHR is paramount. Gone are the days of cumbersome paper charts and siloed information. Today, a top-tier General Surgery EHR is the central nervous system of a thriving practice, streamlining workflows, enhancing patient care, boosting revenue, and keeping you ahead of the technological curve.

The world of medical software can feel like a labyrinth, with myriad options each claiming to be the “best.” But fear not! We’ve donned our digital scrubs, conducted exhaustive research, and consulted the “experts” (okay, a LOT of web data and reviews!) to bring you an in-depth, fun, and upbeat exploration of the leading General Surgery EHR solutions on the market. This isn’t just a list; it’s a deep dive into what makes these systems tick, how they can address your specific pain points, and ultimately, how they can help your practice not just survive, but flourish.

We’ll dissect costs, unwrap features, scrutinize user reviews from platforms like G2 and Capterra, and explore the game-changing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in shaping the future of surgical documentation and practice management. Whether you’re a solo practitioner or part of a large hospital system, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to make an informed decision. So, grab your metaphorical forceps, and let’s explore the anatomy of the best General Surgery EHR systems designed to make your practice operate smarter, not harder!

Quick Comparison: Top General Surgery EHR Contenders

To kick things off, here’s a handy table giving you a bird’s-eye view of the EHR vendors we’ll be dissecting. This allows for a quick comparison of key aspects like pricing indicators, and average review ratings from popular platforms. Remember, “pricing” can be complex and often customized, so these are general indicators.

EHR Vendor	Primary Focus	Pricing Indicator	Avg. G2 Rating	Avg. Capterra Rating	All-in-One Potential	Key AI Feature(s) Highlighted
Oracle Health	Large healthcare orgs, hospitals, complex systems	High	4.1/5 (Analytics) ¹	3.8/5 (Ambulatory) ²	Yes (Comprehensive Suite)	Clinical AI Agent, Voice Commands, AI Summaries ³
ModMed	Specialty-specific practices, all-in-one	High	4.5/5 ⁵	4.4/5 ⁵	Yes (Integrated Suite)	ModMed Scribe (Ambient Listening), AI in workflows ⁶
Athenahealth	Independent practices, networked intelligence	High	3.4/5 ⁸	3.8/5 ⁹	Yes (athenaOne Suite)	Ambient Notes (Abridge), AI in RCM & Comms ¹⁰
NextGen Healthcare	Mid-sized to large ambulatory practices	Mid-Range	3.7/5 ¹²	4.0/5 (Office) ²	Yes (Enterprise/Office)	Ambient Assist AI, AI for coding/meds ²
eClinicalWorks	Various practice sizes, comprehensive features	Mid-Range	3.6/5 ¹²	3.3/5 ²	Yes	Scribe AI (Speech-to-text), Automation Bots ²
AdvancedMD	Customizable for various practice sizes	Mid to High	3.6/5 ¹³	8.7/10 (Editor Score, Business.com) ¹⁴	Yes (Modular Suite)	Less prominently AI-focused in current research snippets
Epic Systems	Large hospitals, enterprise-level systems	Very High	4.2/5 ¹⁵	4.4/5 ²	Yes (Enterprise Suite)	Embedded AI/ML within platform, MyChart ²
DrChrono	Small practices, mobile-first, billing focus	Low to Mid	3.4/5 ¹⁷	4.2/5 ¹⁸	Yes	AI-equipped system for workflow predictions ¹⁹

Note: Review ratings can change. Pricing is often custom and can vary significantly based on modules selected and practice size. The “Pricing Indicator” is a general guide based on available information.

Understanding the Landscape: Key Pain Points for General Surgery Clinics

Before we dive into the solutions, it’s crucial to understand the challenges general surgery clinics face daily. These pain points span operational, administrative, clinical, and financial domains, and the right EHR should offer tangible solutions. The healthcare landscape in 2024 is fraught with complexities, from rising operational costs and staffing shortages to the ever-increasing demand for personalized care and robust cybersecurity.²⁰

Operational Pain Points:

Inefficient Scheduling & Workflow: Managing operating theatre schedules, coordinating pre-operative and post-operative care, and ensuring smooth patient flow can be a logistical nightmare. Disrupted workflows due to EHR integration or cumbersome data entry processes are common complaints.²²
Pre-op, Peri-op, and Post-op Coordination: Ensuring all necessary information, consents, and instructions are seamlessly managed across the surgical journey is vital but challenging.²⁴ This includes managing typical post-surgery discomforts and potential complications like infection or DVT.²⁵
Inventory Management: Tracking surgical supplies, implants, and DME can be complex and prone to errors, impacting costs and preparedness.²⁶
Referral Management: Efficiently managing incoming and outgoing referrals, including sharing necessary documentation, is key for continuity of care and practice growth.²⁶
Ergonomic Challenges for Surgeons: While not directly an EHR issue, the physical demands of surgery and poorly designed OR environments contribute to musculoskeletal injuries in surgeons.³⁰ An efficient EHR that minimizes documentation time can indirectly alleviate some of this burden by reducing time spent hunched over a computer.

Administrative Pain Points:

Documentation Burden (“Pajama Time”): This is a massive issue. Physicians often spend hours on EHR documentation outside of patient care, leading to burnout.¹⁰ The sheer volume of data entry, navigating clunky interfaces, and dealing with alert fatigue are significant contributors.²²
Prior Authorizations: Obtaining prior authorizations for procedures and medications is a time-consuming and often frustrating process, leading to delays in care and administrative overhead.²⁴
Regulatory Compliance (MIPS, MACRA, HIPAA): Staying compliant with ever-changing healthcare regulations is a constant challenge, requiring robust reporting and data security measures.²
Staff Training and System Adoption: Implementing a new EHR and ensuring adequate staff training can be disruptive and resource-intensive. Underestimating change management and insufficient training are common pitfalls.²³
Interoperability Issues: Difficulty in exchanging patient data seamlessly between different systems (e.g., hospital EHRs, labs, imaging centers) hinders care coordination and efficiency.²
Managing Patient Communication: Handling appointment reminders, follow-up instructions, and patient queries efficiently requires robust tools.²⁴

Clinical Pain Points:

Accurate and Timely Charting: Ensuring comprehensive, accurate, and timely clinical documentation, especially for complex surgical cases, is critical for patient safety and billing.²⁶
Medication Management: Safe e-prescribing, managing medication reconciliation, and checking for interactions are vital.²⁴
Access to Complete Patient Information: Clinicians need quick access to a patient’s full medical history, including images and lab results, at the point of care.²
Quality Reporting and Outcomes Tracking: Measuring and reporting on quality metrics (like MIPS) and tracking patient outcomes requires sophisticated data collection and analytics.²⁷
Post-operative Complication Management: Early detection and management of post-operative issues are crucial.²⁵

Financial Pain Points:

Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Inefficiencies: Errors in coding, claim denials, delayed payments, and difficulties managing accounts receivable significantly impact a clinic’s financial health.² US doctors lose an estimated $125 billion annually due to these issues.⁴⁸
Rising Operational Costs: Increasing costs for staffing, supplies, and technology put pressure on profit margins.²⁰
Measuring ROI on Technology Investments: Accurately validating the return on investment for strategic initiatives like EHR implementation is a major challenge.³²
Patient Acquisition and Retention: Attracting new patients and retaining existing ones in a competitive market is crucial for revenue generation.³²
Tougher Rate Negotiations with Payers: Navigating complex payer contracts and negotiating favorable rates is increasingly difficult.³²

A robust General Surgery EHR should ideally provide features and workflows that directly alleviate these multifaceted pressures, allowing surgeons and their teams to focus on delivering exceptional patient care while maintaining a healthy practice.

Deep Dive into the Top General Surgery Systems

Now, let’s get to the main event! We’ll dissect eight leading EHR systems that are making waves in the healthcare landscape. While some are generalists with strong offerings adaptable to surgery, others have a more specific focus. We’ll examine each through the lens of a general surgery practice, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, and unique selling propositions. Our selection includes systems recognized by industry reports like Black Book Research and those frequently appearing in top EMR lists with features relevant to surgical specialties.²

1. Oracle Health (Formerly Cerner): The Enterprise Titan for Complex General Surgery Needs

Oracle Health, the successor to the well-established Cerner, stands as a formidable force in the healthcare IT world, particularly for large healthcare organizations, hospital systems, and complex, multi-specialty environments.² For general surgery practices integrated within these larger ecosystems, or those with significant scale and complexity, Oracle Health’s solutions, including its flagship Millennium platform and PowerChart Ambulatory EHR, present a comprehensive, albeit potentially costly, option. It was notably ranked #1 for General Surgery by Black Book Research in their 2025 report, a significant endorsement for this specialty.³

Costs:

The financial investment for an Oracle Health (Cerner) system can be substantial and highly variable. Custom Cerner EHR implementations have been reported to range anywhere from $1,000 to over $1,000,000, reflecting the scalability and customization potential.67 For its ambulatory EHR, one source lists a starting price of $5,000 per provider per month, positioning it at the higher end of the market.2 Another source mentions a much lower figure of $25 per month for “Cerner (Oracle Health)” 63, which likely refers to a very specific, limited module or a per-user add-on for a basic service rather than the full-fledged General Surgery EHR suite required by a surgical practice. This wide range underscores that Oracle Health is typically best suited for well-funded, larger practices or hospital systems that require extensive customization and enterprise-level capabilities. The significant potential for high costs means practices must carefully evaluate their budget and the system’s ROI.

Features Geared for Surgical Precision:

Oracle Health is actively evolving its EHR into a next-generation platform, heavily infused with cloud technology and artificial intelligence, designed to streamline the demanding workflows of specialties like general surgery.3

Key features include:

Next-Generation EHR Core: Built on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), the new EHR promises an intuitive user interface with voice-driven navigation and multimodal search capabilities, allowing clinicians to “speak to it” to find information and execute commands.³ This is designed to reduce clicks and time spent on the platform.⁴
Oracle Health Clinical AI Agent: This AI-powered assistant (formerly known as the Clinical Digital Assistant) is a standout feature. It listens to physician-patient encounters, interprets key information, drafts clinical notes directly into the EHR, and can even propose relevant actions, significantly reducing the documentation burden.⁴
AI-Powered Summaries & Coding: The system leverages AI to provide quick summaries of patient charts for faster review and offers computer-assisted coding to evaluate documentation and suggest appropriate professional evaluation and management codes.⁴
Comprehensive Patient Portal: A new patient portal aims to provide patients with access to their entire medical history, empowering them to manage appointments, pay bills, and connect with providers more effectively.⁴ This aligns with the growing need for enhanced patient engagement and digital front-door strategies.³²
Specialty Content & Interoperability: The ambulatory EHR includes content for over 30 medical specialties and supports both desktop and mobile use. Strong emphasis is placed on interoperability, enabling data flow from external systems via standards, network connections, and nationwide exchanges.² This is crucial for general surgeons who often need to coordinate care with multiple providers and facilities.
Referral Management: Workflows are designed to manage and exchange patient information for referrals, improve care coordination, and provide insights into referral patterns and leakage.²⁹
Clinically Driven Revenue Cycle Management (RCM): Oracle Health’s RCM solutions are designed so that clinical information captured during patient care directly drives financial outcomes. This includes tools for patient administration, financial clearance, patient accounting (billing, charge capture, claims/AR management), and contract management.⁴⁰ Real-time analytics and predictable claim management (with CMS-1500 support) further bolster financial operations.²

Average Review Ratings – A Mixed Bag:

User reviews for Oracle Health and its Cerner predecessors are somewhat fragmented due to the various product names and modules.

G2: Oracle Enterprise Healthcare Analytics (a related but distinct product) scores 4.1 out of 5 stars.¹ Specific EHR reviews are less consolidated under a single G2 profile.
Capterra: Oracle Ambulatory EHR is rated 3.8 out of 5.² Another source lists Oracle Cerner at 3.8/5 on Capterra.⁶³
Software Advice: The Cerner HealtheLife patient portal received approximately 4.0 out of 5 stars.⁹
KLAS Research: Oracle Health’s overall software score is 67.1 out of 100. However, specific products like Millennium PowerChart have garnered numerous Best in KLAS awards, particularly in global markets and for acute care EHR segments.⁷¹ PowerChart Ambulatory also has historical KLAS recognition.⁷¹

The most compelling rating for general surgery practices is the #1 ranking by Black Book Research for General Surgery EHR.³ This specialty-specific accolade is a strong indicator of its capabilities in this field.

What Users Say – The Pros and Cons:

Feedback on Oracle Health/Cerner solutions reflects its enterprise nature:

Pros: Users of the analytics platform praise its utility for data-driven decision-making and ease of navigation.¹ The ambulatory EHR is noted for its patient portal and interface capabilities with inpatient systems.² The promise of AI-guided templates and predictive coding speeding up charting by up to 25% is a significant draw.² The next-gen EHR’s voice commands and intuitive operation are highlighted as user-friendly aspects ³, aiming to streamline clinician workflows and reduce platform time.⁴ Robust security and seamless integration are also cited as strengths.⁶³
Cons: Some users find the UI of the analytics product could be improved.¹ The ambulatory EHR has faced criticism for poor support, a steep learning curve, and requiring too many clicks for tasks.² There have been reports of rollout delays and challenges in some large-scale Cerner EHR deployments, indicating implementation complexities.⁶⁶ The high cost is a frequently mentioned barrier ², and the system’s complexity can be overwhelming for smaller setups.⁹

All-in-One or À La Carte?

Oracle Health offers a comprehensive suite of solutions, suggesting an all-in-one approach at its core, particularly with the Millennium platform.4 However, the high degree of customization available, and the modular nature of enterprise software, means that practices and health systems likely implement components and services based on their specific needs, giving it an à la carte feel in terms of deployment and final cost.67

AI as a Key Differentiator:

Artificial intelligence is a cornerstone of Oracle Health’s strategy for its next-generation EHR. This is not just a buzzword; it’s being integrated to deliver tangible benefits:

Voice Recognition and Navigation: The ability to interact with the EHR using voice commands (“speak to it”) is designed to make the system more intuitive and faster to use.³
Oracle Health Clinical AI Agent: This is a significant AI advancement, functioning as a digital assistant that listens to patient encounters, automatically drafts notes, and suggests clinical actions, directly tackling the documentation burden.⁴
AI-Powered Summaries: To expedite chart review, AI generates concise summaries of patient information.⁴
Computer-Assisted Coding: AI algorithms analyze clinical documentation to propose appropriate billing codes, improving accuracy and efficiency.²⁹
Predictive Analytics: AI and predictive analytics are being used for applications like Real-Time Capacity Management, helping organizations optimize resource allocation.³ Oracle’s deep investment in AI, leveraging its cloud infrastructure, positions it to significantly reduce administrative tasks and improve workflow efficiency, which are critical needs for busy general surgery practices.

Revenue Improvement Features:

Oracle Health places a strong emphasis on a clinically driven revenue cycle, where the detailed information captured by clinicians during patient care is used to optimize financial outcomes.40

Integrated RCM Suite: Comprehensive tools cover patient accounting, charge capture, claims and A/R management, and contract management across various care venues.⁴⁰
Automated Billing Processes: Intelligent workflows translate health data into billable charges, diagnoses, and procedures, allowing the revenue cycle team to get a head start on coding and billing.⁷⁰
Financial Clearance & Patient Accounting: Robust solutions for managing the financial aspects of patient care from pre-registration through final billing.⁴⁰
Predictable Claim Management: Support for standards like CMS-1500 helps ensure claims are managed predictably.²
Computer-Assisted Coding: AI-driven coding suggestions improve accuracy and reduce manual effort.²⁹ These features are designed to enhance collection speed, reduce denials, and provide greater transparency into the practice’s financial performance.

Solving Pain Points for General Surgery Practices:

Oracle Health’s evolving platform aims to address several critical pain points for general surgeons:

Documentation Burden: The suite of AI tools, especially the Clinical AI Agent and voice navigation, directly targets the excessive time surgeons spend on documentation, a major contributor to burnout.³
Workflow Inefficiencies: Streamlined workflows, simplified UI, mobile access, and efficient referral management tools are designed to reduce cognitive burden and improve operational efficiency.⁴
Interoperability Challenges: A strong focus on enabling seamless data exchange with external systems and participation in HIEs helps ensure surgeons have a complete view of patient information.²²
Financial Pressures: The clinically driven RCM system, with its automated processes and AI-assisted coding, aims to maximize revenue, improve collection speed, and reduce billing errors, addressing the financial viability concerns common in healthcare.²⁰
Patient Engagement: The enhanced patient portal facilitates better communication, provides patients with control over their health information, and streamlines administrative interactions like scheduling and bill pay, which can improve patient acquisition and satisfaction.⁴

Concluding Thought on Oracle Health:

Oracle Health represents a powerful, enterprise-grade General Surgery EHR solution, particularly well-suited for larger surgical practices, academic medical centers, or those tightly integrated within hospital systems that can leverage its comprehensive capabilities and manage its potential complexity and cost. Its significant investment in AI to streamline documentation and workflows is a forward-looking approach that could offer substantial benefits in reducing administrative burdens. However, practices must be prepared for a potentially significant implementation effort and ensure the system aligns with their specific operational needs. The #1 Black Book ranking for General Surgery makes it a must-consider for practices in this specialty looking for a top-tier system.

2. ModMed: The Specialty-Focused Powerhouse for Your General Surgery Platform

ModMed (Modernizing Medicine) has carved out a significant niche as a leader in specialty-specific healthcare technology, offering an all-in-one platform that integrates Electronic Health Records (EHR), Practice Management (PM), and Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) services.²⁷ While “General Surgery” isn’t always listed as one of its explicitly named, pre-configured EHRs like “gGastro®” for gastroenterology or “EMA®” for dermatology, ModMed’s platform is engineered for the intricacies of surgical specialties and consistently earns top marks across many of them, including those with overlapping needs with general surgery like gastroenterology, orthopedics, pain management, and plastic surgery.²⁷ Its strong focus on AI-driven solutions further enhances its appeal for modern surgical practices seeking efficiency and improved outcomes. This makes it a very strong contender for a General Surgery EHR solution.

Costs:

ModMed is generally perceived as a premium offering, with cost indicators often listed as “High”.12 Pricing is typically customized based on the practice’s size, specific needs, and the modules or services selected, requiring direct contact with the vendor for a detailed quote.28 The ModMed BOOST RCM service, a comprehensive billing and collections solution, is an add-on service that practices can opt for.48 While the investment may be higher than some other systems, ModMed’s value proposition centers on its deep specialty focus, integrated nature, and advanced technological features, including AI. Practices considering ModMed should factor in the potential for enhanced efficiency and revenue capture when evaluating the overall cost.

Features Tailored for Surgical Excellence:

ModMed’s suite is packed with features designed to streamline the complex workflows of surgical practices:

Specialty-Specific EHR (EMA®): Known for its intuitive, touch-based interface (often highlighted for iPad use), EMA is designed to adapt to a provider’s workflow, with built-in medical knowledge for various specialties.²⁷ It offers features like auto-suggested notes and coding.
Mobile EHR & Patient Mobile App: Provides flexibility for physicians to access records and manage tasks on the go, and for patients to engage with their health information.²⁷
Comprehensive Practice Management: Includes robust tools for appointment scheduling (with an Appointment Finder and waitlist capabilities), automated eligibility verification, patient self-scheduling, and a quoting tool for transparent pricing.²⁷
ModMed BOOST™ RCM Services: A standout offering that combines billing specialists, proven processes, and technology to manage the entire revenue cycle, from pre-visit to post-payment.²⁷
Advanced Patient Engagement Tools: Features a patient portal, secure two-way messaging, automated appointment reminders, call-to-text functionality, patient surveys, and online self-scheduling to enhance communication and patient satisfaction.²⁷
Clinical Support Tools: Includes integrated telehealth, ePrescribing (with support for controlled substances), a MIPS Quality Module for tracking and submission, inventory management for supplies and dispensables, and image management capabilities.²⁷
Powerful Analytics & Reporting: The Premium Analytics Platform allows practices to track critical clinical, operational, and financial data, benchmark performance, and generate customizable reports.²⁷
Cutting-Edge AI Solutions: ModMed is at the forefront of integrating AI, most notably with ModMed Scribe, an ambient listening tool that converts patient-doctor conversations into structured EHR notes, suggests billing codes, and helps streamline post-note workflows like medication entry and lab orders.⁶

Average Review Ratings – Consistently High Praise:

ModMed enjoys consistently high ratings across various review platforms, reflecting strong user satisfaction, particularly for its specialty-specific design and ease of use.

G2: Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars.⁵ ModMed was also recognized as the highest-ranking EHR provider in G2’s 2025 Best Healthcare Software Products category and among G2’s Best Global Software Companies.⁷²
Capterra: Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars.⁵
Software Advice: Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars.⁵ (It’s worth noting that Capterra, GetApp, and Software Advice, all Gartner companies, share the same review pool ⁷⁶).
Software Finder: Rated 4.1 out of 5 stars.⁷³
FindEMR: Describes ModMed with an overall “Excellent” rating.²⁸

These ratings underscore ModMed’s success in delivering a solution that resonates well with specialty medical professionals.

What Users Say – The Good, The Bad, and The Techy:

User feedback for ModMed is largely positive, emphasizing its user-centric design and efficiency gains.

Pros: Users frequently praise the “fluidity of all ModMed products,” stating that “our practice improves!”.⁷² The system is described as “very user-friendly with accessible customer support,” with low wait times for help and easily found online guides.⁷² For specialists (e.g., dermatology), EMA is lauded as an “outstanding platform that provides excellent clinical features”.⁷² Other pros include easy page access, clear layout, being “super organized,” streamlined documentation, efficiency for daily tasks, excellent documentation capabilities, a robust patient portal, and effective scheduling and telehealth features.²⁸ The iPad interface is often cited for its flexibility.²⁸
Cons: Some users wish for better visibility of patient account notes on the check-in screen and improved organization within the faxes tab, including the ability to preview faxes when creating tasks.⁷³ The iPad format, while often a pro, is noted by some to have “a lot of extra steps”.⁷³ The absence of a dark mode is a minor inconvenience for some.⁷³ More significant concerns include occasional system glitches that can disrupt the workday ⁷³, and some users have found financial integration lacking, with limited customization options in certain areas, and an inability to print pathology reports directly.⁷³ Other reported cons include potential difficulties with billing and faxing features for some, a cumbersome analytics module for new users, and the system’s rigidity sometimes necessitating changes to existing office workflows.²⁸ Isolated incidents of record downtime and challenges with the BOOST billing support have also been mentioned.²⁸

All-in-One or À La Carte?

ModMed primarily operates as an all-in-one, tightly integrated suite, encompassing EHR, Practice Management, Revenue Cycle Management (via BOOST services or integrated tools), and Patient Engagement solutions.27 This integration is a key part of its value proposition, aiming to create seamless workflows. While the core system is comprehensive, certain advanced features or services like ModMed Pay (payment processing) and the Premium Analytics platform may be considered add-ons, allowing for some degree of tailoring.27

AI as a Factor – Leading the Charge:

ModMed has made significant strides in incorporating artificial intelligence into its platform, positioning it as a forward-thinking choice for a General Surgery EHR.

ModMed Scribe: This is a flagship AI feature. It’s an ambient listening solution that captures the natural conversation between a patient and provider, then uses AI to generate suggested visit note data, propose billing codes, and streamline downstream tasks like medication entry and lab orders.⁶ Crucially, ModMed Scribe is trained on specialty-specific data, aiming for higher precision and relevance than generic AI models.⁶
Integrated AI: Beyond Scribe, AI is woven into patient engagement tools, clinical workflows, and billing and operations to improve interactions, reduce administrative burdens, and enhance revenue cycle efficiency.⁶ ModMed’s approach to AI, particularly its focus on specialty-specific training, directly addresses the critical pain point of documentation burden and aims to give physicians more time for patient care.

Revenue Improvement Features – BOOSTing Your Bottom Line:

ModMed offers robust solutions to enhance a general surgery practice’s financial health:

ModMed BOOST™ RCM Service: This comprehensive service combines the expertise of billing specialists and certified medical coders with ModMed’s Practice Management technology. The team can handle patient calls, submit claims, work with practices to resolve denials, and manage other time-consuming billing tasks.⁴⁸
RCM Performance Metrics Evaluation: When a practice signs up for BOOST RCM, a client manager analyzes key performance indicators such as Total Clinical Collections, Net Collection Ratio, Days Sales Outstanding (DSO), and Aged A/R, working with the practice to address any issues.⁴⁸
Integrated Practice Management Tools: The PM system includes a quoting tool to estimate out-of-pocket costs, a charges estimator, and features for generating easy-to-understand patient quotes and bills.²⁷
ModMed Pay: This add-on payment processing solution offers convenient patient payment options, with payments reconciled and posted directly to the PM system.²⁷
Built-in Analytics: The PM system includes analytics to help manage the revenue cycle and generate reports on key performance metrics.⁴⁹ This multi-pronged approach to RCM, offering both expert services and integrated software tools, is a significant advantage for practices struggling with billing complexities and seeking to maximize their revenue.²⁰

Solving Pain Points for General Surgery Practices:

ModMed’s suite is well-equipped to address many of the pressing challenges faced by general surgery clinics:

Documentation Burden: The combination of specialty-specific templates, mobile charting (EMA on iPad), and particularly the AI-powered ModMed Scribe, directly attacks the time-consuming nature of clinical documentation.⁶
Workflow Inefficiencies: The all-in-one integrated system, automated documentation features, and tools designed to streamline the exam process contribute to smoother clinical and administrative workflows.²³
Financial Pressures & RCM Complexity: The comprehensive ModMed BOOST RCM service, coupled with transparent pricing tools and financial analytics within the PM system, provides powerful solutions for improving financial health and measuring ROI.³²
Patient Engagement & Acquisition: A robust suite of patient experience tools, including a patient portal, self-scheduling, automated reminders, and telehealth, helps practices attract and retain patients by offering convenience and modern communication channels.²⁷
Staffing Shortages & Burnout: By automating tasks, streamlining documentation with AI, and improving overall practice efficiency, ModMed can help reduce the administrative load on both clinical and administrative staff, potentially mitigating burnout and the impact of staffing shortages.⁶

Concluding Thought on ModMed:

ModMed presents an exceptionally strong case as a top-tier General Surgery EHR for practices that prioritize a modern, specialty-aware, and highly integrated system. Its leadership in AI-driven documentation with ModMed Scribe and its comprehensive BOOST RCM services are significant differentiators that can provide substantial efficiency and financial benefits. While it represents a premium investment, the potential returns in time savings, improved workflows, and enhanced revenue capture make it a compelling choice for general surgery practices looking to operate at the cutting edge.

3. Athenahealth (athenaOne): Networked Intelligence in Your General Surgery Practice

Athenahealth’s athenaOne is a well-known name in the healthcare IT sphere, offering a comprehensive, cloud-based platform that integrates Electronic Health Records (athenaClinicals), Revenue Cycle Management (athenaCollector), and Patient Engagement (athenaCommunicator).² A key differentiator for athenaOne is its vast network, which connects over 160,000 clinicians and leverages this collective data to provide real-time insights and benchmarks.¹¹ This “networked intelligence,” combined with a growing suite of AI-powered tools and strong RCM services, makes athenaOne a significant contender for general surgery practices, especially independent ones seeking a robust, all-in-one General Surgery EHR solution. It has consistently earned “Best in KLAS” awards for independent physician practices, underscoring its strength in this segment.¹⁶

Costs:

Athenahealth’s pricing typically starts at around $140 per provider per month for the basic license.2 However, this is just a starting point. The company often employs a model where its billing services (athenaCollector) are charged as a percentage of a practice’s total revenue, commonly cited between 4-7%.80 Additional costs can be incurred for services like order transmission ($150/month plus per-order fees), data migration (ranging from $500 to $25,000+ depending on volume), and staff training ($500 to $5,000).79 G2 reviews perceive the cost as “High” 8, and 12 also categorizes it as “High.”

This pricing structure means that while the initial software license fee might seem competitive, the total cost of ownership can be significant, especially for practices with high collection volumes. However, the advantage is that it’s a cloud-based solution, eliminating the need for expensive on-premise server hardware and maintenance.80 Practices need to carefully calculate these variable costs against their potential revenue and the value derived from the integrated services.

Features Powered by Network Intelligence and AI:

AthenaOne is designed to be more than just a static software; it’s a dynamic platform that learns from its vast network.

athenaOne Integrated Suite: This includes:

athenaClinicals (EHR): Offers specialty-specific workflows, mobile-friendly charting, telehealth capabilities, and aims to surface the information clinicians need when they need it.²
athenaCollector (RCM): Provides integrated medical billing software and services, leveraging a powerful rules engine and network insights to streamline the revenue cycle.⁵²
athenaCommunicator (Patient Engagement): Includes tools for patient payments, a patient portal, automated reminders, and secure messaging.²
Network-Derived Insights: This is a unique strength. AthenaOne aggregates de-identified data from every provider on its platform to offer:

Real-time Benchmarks: Practices can compare KPIs like patient outcomes, billing efficiency, and revenue against similar practices.⁷⁷
Evidence-Based Best Practices: Access to data-backed treatment trends and common actions taken by peers.⁷⁷
Local & Regional Insights: Understanding of disease prevalence, treatment success rates, and payer trends specific to a community.⁷⁷
AI-Powered Capabilities: Athenahealth is actively integrating AI to enhance efficiency:

Ambient Notes: Through a partnership with Abridge, athenaOne offers AI-powered ambient note-taking that listens to patient-doctor conversations and generates structured medical notes, even supporting multilingual interactions.¹⁰
Automated Document Services: Millions of incoming faxes are automatically scanned, with critical information extracted and placed into the correct chart areas.¹¹
athenaOne® Voice Assistant (powered by Nuance®): Enables hands-free documentation, chart navigation, and task completion.¹¹
Provider Action Prediction: AI identifies the clinician’s next likely action in their inbox and offers a one-click option.¹¹
AI in RCM: Includes automated insurance selection, streamlined prior authorization support, optimal claim follow-up timing, and authorization prediction.¹¹
Robust Interoperability: The networked nature of the platform facilitates care coordination, referrals, and data exchange across different care settings.⁷⁸

Average Review Ratings – Strong in KLAS, Mixed Elsewhere:

Athenahealth’s athenaOne receives varied feedback across review platforms.

G2: Holds a rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars.⁸ Some individual reviews on G2 are very positive, praising AI features and API integration, while others are highly critical of usability and documentation time.⁸
Capterra: Rated 3.8 out of 5 stars.²⁵⁹ also notes a 3.8/5 from a larger pool of 835 reviews on Capterra/Software Advice combined.
Software Advice: Also rated 3.8 out of 5 stars.⁹
KLAS Research: This is where athenahealth shines, particularly for independent practices. It earned four Best in KLAS Software and Services awards in 2024, including Overall Independent Physician Practice Suite, Ambulatory EHR (11-75 Physicians, Independent), Practice Management (11-75 Physicians, Independent), and Small Practice Ambulatory EHR/PM (<11 Physicians).¹⁶

The strong KLAS performance, which is based on direct feedback from healthcare professionals, suggests high satisfaction within its target market of independent practices, despite more mixed general reviews on platforms like G2.

What Users Say – A Tale of Two Experiences:

User reviews for athenaOne often highlight the power of its network and RCM services, but also point to usability and support concerns.

Pros: The network-derived insights and real-time benchmarks are a significant advantage.⁷⁷ Integrated billing, mobile accessibility, and patient payment processing are well-liked.² Many users find the scheduling tools intuitive and the interface aesthetically pleasing, with some reporting responsive support.² The new Ambient Notes AI feature is praised for drastically cutting documentation time, and API integration offers flexibility.⁸ Users also appreciate that charting can be quicker, patient history is easily accessible, and patient reminders save staff time.⁵⁷ The cloud-based nature means regular updates and no server hassles.⁹ The RCM model where fees are based on additional revenue collected is also seen positively by some.⁵⁹
Cons: Charting can be cumbersome for some, and the onboarding process may take time, with reports of slow or unpredictable system downtimes.² Billing transparency has been an issue for some users.⁹ The initial startup process can be lengthy.⁸ Some physicians find the system clunky, requiring too many clicks, and feel it’s designed more for coding and billing than for physician documentation, increasing documentation time.⁸ Customer support response times are a common complaint.⁵⁷ The cost, especially the percentage-based RCM fees, can be high ⁵⁷, and some features can feel outdated.⁵⁸

All-in-One or À La Carte?

AthenaOne is fundamentally an all-in-one platform, with its core components (EHR, RCM, Patient Engagement) designed to work seamlessly together.2 While it’s a comprehensive suite, the pricing structure, with potential add-on costs for specific services or migrations, means practices should clarify the full scope of services included in their agreement.

AI as a Factor – Leveraging Network Data and Partnerships:

Athenahealth is strategically embedding AI across its platform, with a clear focus on reducing administrative burdens and improving financial performance.

Ambient Clinical Notes: The partnership with Abridge to integrate AI-powered ambient scribing is a significant step towards automating clinical documentation.¹⁰ This tool listens to patient-provider conversations and generates structured notes, even offering multilingual capabilities.
AI in Outpatient Documentation & RCM: Athenahealth envisions AI playing a larger role in digitizing all outpatient documentation, including reading faxes and extracting discrete data. In RCM, AI is being developed to manage billing tasks, handle insurance claims and payments more efficiently, and even assist in appealing denials by drafting letters.¹⁰
AI for Patient Communication: There’s potential for AI to manage routine patient communications, acting as a virtual call center for tasks like scheduling and medication refills.¹⁰
Existing AI Capabilities: The platform already utilizes AI for automated document services (fax processing), a voice assistant powered by Nuance, provider action prediction in the inbox, automated insurance selection, prior authorization support, optimized claim follow-up timing, and authorization prediction.¹¹ Athenahealth’s ability to train its AI models on over 20 years of data from its extensive network of clinicians gives it a unique advantage in developing effective, real-world AI solutions.¹¹

Revenue Improvement Features – A Core Strength:

Revenue Cycle Management is a cornerstone of the athenaOne offering, designed to help practices collect more, faster.

athenaCollector: This is their dedicated medical billing service, which is deeply integrated into the platform.⁵²
AI-Driven RCM: As detailed above, AI is heavily infused into the RCM process to automate tasks like insurance selection, prior authorizations, and claim follow-up, aiming to expedite authorizations and payments.¹¹
Powerful Billing Engine: The system utilizes a billing engine with over 30,000 rules to minimize claim errors and accelerate reimbursement.⁵⁷
Comprehensive RCM Metrics Tracking: Athenahealth helps practices track a wide array of RCM key performance indicators, such as cost to collect, charge capture accuracy, charge lag, patient pay yield, denial rates, Days in Accounts Receivable (DAR), Net Collection Rate (NCR), clean claims rate, and First Pass Resolution Rate (FPRR).⁵³ This deep focus on RCM, backed by network intelligence and AI, makes athenaOne particularly attractive to practices struggling with financial performance and billing complexities.²⁰

Solving Pain Points for General Surgery Practices:

Athenahealth’s athenaOne platform offers several features that can address the specific challenges faced by general surgery clinics:

Documentation Burden: The introduction of Ambient Notes AI and the existing voice assistant aim to significantly reduce the time spent on clinical documentation, a major pain point for surgeons.¹⁰ Specialty-specific workflows also contribute to more efficient charting.⁷⁸
Financial Pressures & RCM Complexity: This is a primary strength. The robust RCM services, AI-enhanced billing processes, and network insights into coding and billing practices directly tackle issues of revenue leakage, claim denials, and inefficient collections.¹⁰
Prior Authorizations: The AI-driven support for identifying when prior authorizations are necessary and expediting them by automatically identifying relevant chart information is a direct solution to this common administrative hurdle.¹¹
Patient Communication & Engagement: The comprehensive patient portal (athenaCommunicator), telehealth options, automated outreach capabilities, and emerging AI for patient communications help practices improve patient acquisition, satisfaction, and adherence to care plans.²
Interoperability: Being a networked platform, athenaOne is designed to facilitate easier data exchange and care coordination, which is crucial for surgeons who often work with multiple specialists and facilities.²²

Concluding Thought on Athenahealth:

Athenahealth’s athenaOne is a compelling General Surgery EHR for independent practices and medical organizations that value a cloud-native, all-in-one solution with exceptionally strong Revenue Cycle Management capabilities and the power of networked intelligence. The increasing integration of AI, especially for documentation and RCM, further boosts its value proposition. While practices should carefully consider the mixed G2 reviews and the potential total cost of ownership, the strong KLAS ratings and the system’s ability to tackle major financial and administrative pain points make it a top contender.

4. NextGen Healthcare: A Versatile Contender in the General Surgery Software Arena

NextGen Healthcare has been a significant player in the health IT market for many years, offering a suite of Electronic Health Record (EHR) and Practice Management (PM) solutions designed to cater to a wide spectrum of practice sizes and specialties.² Their offerings include NextGen Office, typically aimed at smaller practices, and NextGen Enterprise EHR, which serves larger, more complex ambulatory organizations. With features like AI-powered ambient listening and customizable templates, NextGen aims to provide a versatile General Surgery EHR platform.

Costs:

NextGen Healthcare offers varied pricing structures depending on the specific product and practice needs.

NextGen Office: This cloud-based solution for smaller practices has a starting price listed around $300 per month.² More detailed subscription plans for NextGen Office are based on claim volume:

100 claims: $379 per physician per month, $299 per nurse per month.
400 claims: $499 per physician per month, $399 per nurse per month.
Unlimited claims: $549 per physician per month, $449 per nurse per month.⁷⁹

NextGen Enterprise EHR: Pricing for the enterprise solution is typically more customized and not publicly detailed in the snippets.
Overall, NextGen solutions are generally perceived to be in the “Mid range” for cost.¹² It’s important for practices to note that while base pricing might be competitive, the cost of extra modules or extensive customization for the Enterprise EHR can add up.¹²

Features Catering to Diverse Surgical Needs:

NextGen Healthcare provides a comprehensive set of tools across its product lines:

Core EHR and PM Functionality: Both NextGen Office and Enterprise EHR offer core functionalities including electronic health records, practice management, revenue cycle management tools, patient portals, robust reporting capabilities, content workflows, and SOAP note generators.²
AI-Powered Ambient Listening: NextGen Ambient Assist is an AI feature designed for faster charting by listening to patient encounters.² This is a key feature for reducing documentation burden.
AI-Driven Clinical Support: The system offers AI suggestions for ICD-10 coding, medications, and lab orders, aiming to improve accuracy and efficiency.¹²
Telehealth Solutions: NextGen Virtual Visits are integrated with the EHR/PM, ensuring a smooth user experience for remote patient consultations on any device.⁸¹
Interoperability (Mirth Connect): NextGen owns Mirth Connect, a powerful integration engine that facilitates data exchange between disparate healthcare systems.⁸¹ This is a significant asset for ensuring continuity of care.
Specialty-Specific Content: While NextGen Enterprise EHR offers customizable templates ⁸¹, some user reviews for NextGen Office have noted a lack of deep specialty-specific templates for certain areas like dermatology.² General surgery practices would need to verify the depth of surgical content available or the ease of customization.
Mobile Application: A mobile app is available, which users have found particularly helpful for physicians who are on call.¹²
Patient Experience Platform: This integrated platform includes features for patient engagement, such as messaging and appointment support, to enhance the patient journey.⁴³

Average Review Ratings – A Consistent Performer:

NextGen Healthcare generally receives decent, if not top-tier, ratings across various review platforms.

G2 (NextGen Healthcare EHR – likely Enterprise): Rated 3.7 out of 5 stars.¹²
Capterra (NextGen Office): Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars.²
Capterra (NextGen Healthcare – general): Rated 4.1 out of 5 stars.¹⁸
Software Advice (NextGen Healthcare – general): Rated 4.06 out of 5 stars.¹⁸
Medesk (NextGen Office): Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars.²
Spry PT (NextGen Healthcare – general): Capterra rating of 4.0 out of 5.⁶³ These ratings suggest a generally positive user experience, with NextGen Office often scoring slightly higher in user satisfaction, possibly due to its more streamlined nature for smaller practices.

What Users Say – Balancing Customization and Complexity:

User feedback for NextGen products highlights both their strengths in customization and some challenges with complexity or specific features.

Pros (NextGen Office): Users appreciate its efficient employee tracking features, a generally user-friendly interface, and its utility as a great tool for charting.²
Pros (NextGen Enterprise EHR): Clinicians find that charting can be fast using templates and macros, and the mobile app is considered a “lifesaver” for on-call situations.¹² The system is often described as very customizable, allowing practices to tailor workflows.⁸¹ It’s also been noted as user-friendly by some and particularly good for specialties like pain management.⁸¹ The software is reported to cover procedure processes well.⁸¹
Cons (NextGen Office): A notable drawback is the perceived lack of deep specialty-specific templates for certain fields (e.g., dermatology), occasional mistakes in reports, and instances of poor customer support when issues arise. Some users also find it requires too many clicks for simple tasks.²
Cons (NextGen Enterprise EHR): The user interface is sometimes described as complex.¹² A significant concern for some users is that billing services are outsourced to a third party, which can lead to a feeling of disconnect.¹² Like NextGen Office, “too many clicks” is a recurring theme for completing basic tasks. The initial setup can be time-consuming, and the cost of extra modules for customization can escalate quickly.¹⁰ One G2 reviewer mentioned “lots of clicking in submenus”.⁸¹

All-in-One or À La Carte?

NextGen Healthcare offers comprehensive solutions that bundle EHR, PM, and often RCM functionalities, positioning them as all-in-one systems.2 However, particularly with the NextGen Enterprise EHR, the ability to add various modules and the potential for extensive customization can make the final package and pricing feel somewhat à la carte, as practices select the specific components they need beyond the core system.12

AI as a Factor – Streamlining Workflows:

NextGen is incorporating artificial intelligence to enhance user experience and efficiency:

NextGen Ambient Assist AI: This feature uses ambient listening technology to help make charting faster and less burdensome for clinicians.²
AI-Powered Suggestions: The EHR provides AI-driven suggestions for ICD-10 coding, appropriate medications, and necessary lab orders, aiming to improve clinical decision-making and reduce errors.¹² These AI integrations are focused on practical applications that can directly impact a surgeon’s daily workload and the accuracy of documentation and coding.

Revenue Improvement Features:

NextGen provides tools designed to manage and improve the revenue cycle:

Integrated Revenue Cycle Management: Both NextGen Office and Enterprise versions include RCM tools to help streamline billing and collections processes.²
Claims Submission and Management: The systems facilitate streamlined billing and claims submission to payers.⁵⁶
Patient Experience Platform: Features within the NextGen Patient Experience Platform, such as online payment options and appointment reminders, can contribute to improved patient collections and reduced no-show rates, indirectly benefiting revenue.⁴³
AI for Coding: AI-assisted coding suggestions can lead to more accurate claims and fewer denials.¹² While these tools are available, the user concern about outsourced billing for the Enterprise EHR ¹² is a factor general surgery practices should investigate, as direct control over billing processes is often preferred.

Solving Pain Points for General Surgery Practices:

NextGen Healthcare’s solutions offer features that can address several key challenges in a general surgery setting:

Documentation Burden: The AI-powered NextGen Ambient Assist, along with templates and macros, aims to reduce the time spent on charting, a significant issue for surgeons.²
Workflow Inefficiencies: Customizable templates and a mobile app offer flexibility.¹² However, the “many clicks” issue reported by some users could be a drawback if not addressed through customization or training.
Financial Pressures: Integrated RCM tools and AI for coding suggestions can help improve billing accuracy and collections efficiency.² Practices should clarify the RCM service model (in-house vs. outsourced) for the Enterprise version.
Patient Engagement: The patient portal, telehealth capabilities, and automated messaging features support better patient communication and access to care, which can aid in patient acquisition and satisfaction.²
Interoperability: The inclusion of Mirth Connect as an integration engine is a strong point for ensuring data exchange with other healthcare entities, crucial for coordinated surgical care.²²

Concluding Thought on NextGen Healthcare:

NextGen Healthcare offers a spectrum of solutions that can be adapted for a General Surgery EHR deployment, from the more straightforward NextGen Office for smaller practices to the highly customizable NextGen Enterprise EHR for larger groups. The integration of AI for documentation and decision support is a positive development. General surgery practices should carefully evaluate which NextGen product aligns best with their size, complexity, and workflow preferences, paying close attention to the details of template customization for surgical procedures, the RCM model, and user feedback regarding system navigation. With the right configuration and training, NextGen can be a capable General Surgery EHR.

5. eClinicalWorks: A Feature-Rich and Scalable General Surgery System Option

eClinicalWorks is a widely recognized name in the EHR market, known for providing a comprehensive, all-inclusive suite of tools that cater to practices of various sizes and across numerous specialties.² Its offerings include EHR, Practice Management, and Revenue Cycle Management services, along with innovative features like Scribe AI for voice-assisted documentation and automation bots. This breadth of functionality makes it a candidate for practices seeking a robust General Surgery EHR.

Costs:

eClinicalWorks typically starts its pricing at $449 per month per user.2 It’s generally perceived as a “Mid range” cost solution.12 However, it’s important for prospective buyers to be aware that some functionalities, such as clearinghouse access or patient check-in features, might be offered as paid add-ons rather than being included in the base package.2 This per-user monthly cost can become a significant factor for larger surgical teams, so a detailed breakdown of included versus optional features is crucial when evaluating the total cost of ownership for this **General Surgery EHR**.

**Features Designed for Comprehensive Practice Management:**

eClinicalWorks boasts an extensive list of features aimed at streamlining clinical and administrative tasks:

* **Integrated EHR/PM/RCM:** Offers a unified platform for clinical records, practice administration, and financial management.2

* **AI-Powered Tools:**

* **Scribe AI:** A speech-to-text data entry tool designed to speed up documentation.2

* **Bots for Automation:** Tools to automate repetitive administrative and clinical tasks.2

* **AI-Assisted Documentation:** General AI tools to enhance documentation efficiency.63

* **Core Clinical Functionalities:** Includes scheduling, e-prescribing (often with robust medication management features), and integrated telehealth capabilities.2

* **Patient Engagement:** Features a patient portal (often through their HEALOW app), tools for patient self-scheduling, and secure messaging.2

* **Specialty-Specific Modules:** Provides modules and templates that can be tailored to different medical specialties, although the depth for general surgery would need specific verification.2

* **Analytics and Population Health:** Offers robust analytics and reporting tools, along with capabilities for population health management.2

* **Mobile Accessibility:** Often supported by the HEALOW mobile app for both patients and providers.12

**Average Review Ratings – A Mixed Picture:**

eClinicalWorks receives somewhat average ratings across popular review sites, often with a notable variance.

* **G2:** Rated 3.6 out of 5 stars.12

* **Capterra:** Rated 3.3 out of 5 stars.2 This is comparatively lower than many other systems.

* **Software Advice:** User reviews are available and should be consulted for detailed feedback.56

* **EMRSystems:** Gives a compatibility rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with 64% of users recommending the product.36

These ratings suggest that while many practices use eClinicalWorks, user satisfaction isn’t universally high. Common themes in less favorable reviews often revolve around usability challenges and customer support experiences.

**What Users Say – Feature Richness vs. Usability and Support:**

User feedback on eClinicalWorks often reflects a trade-off between its comprehensive feature set and its ease of use or support quality.

* **Pros:** Users acknowledge the availability of specialty-specific modules and find features like color-coded scheduling helpful.2 For basic patient management, it can be an affordable option.2 Some report that the system is generally fast and responsive for entering notes.2 Once mastered, ordering labs and e-prescriptions can be efficient, and the system does offer time-saving features, especially if practices opt for upgrades. Templates and macros are also available to speed up documentation.10 The RCM program is described by some as having a user-friendly interface.61

* **Cons:** The platform has garnered some “controversial reviews,” with complaints about the support team’s attitude, system lags, and the fact that many essential functions (like clearinghouse integration or check-in tools) are only available as paid add-ons.2 A significant number of users report that the system requires an excessive number of clicks for simple tasks, and customer support can be slow to respond or resolve issues.2 A “very steep learning curve” is a frequently cited drawback, and the interface is often described as feeling outdated compared to more modern EHRs.12

**All-in-One or À La Carte?**

eClinicalWorks positions itself as an “all-inclusive” EHR and medical billing service.56 However, user reviews frequently suggest that key functionalities expected in a comprehensive package may require additional payment as add-ons.2 This makes it crucial for practices to get a clear, itemized list of what is included in the base price versus what will incur extra charges.

**AI as a Factor – Focusing on Documentation and Automation:**

eClinicalWorks is incorporating AI to address common administrative burdens:

* **Scribe AI:** This feature provides speech-to-text data entry, allowing clinicians to dictate notes more naturally.2

* **Automation Bots:** These are designed to handle repetitive administrative and clinical tasks, freeing up staff time.2

* **General AI-Assisted Documentation:** The platform includes broader AI tools aimed at improving the efficiency of creating and managing clinical documentation.63

These AI features are primarily geared towards enhancing documentation speed and automating routine processes, which can be particularly beneficial in a high-volume general surgery practice.

**Revenue Improvement Features:**

eClinicalWorks offers both self-service practice management tools and a full Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) service model, aiming for a high first-pass acceptance rate for claims (reportedly 98% or higher).61

* **Flexible RCM Models:** Practices can choose to handle their own billing using the PM tools or opt for the end-to-end RCM service.61

* **Claims Processing:** The RCM service is designed for quick and accurate claims processing to reduce denials and payment delays.61

* **Reporting and Analytics:** Comprehensive tools are provided for monitoring Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and real-time claim status updates.61

These features provide options for practices to manage their financial health, whether they prefer hands-on control or outsourced expertise.

**Solving Pain Points for General Surgery Practices:**

eClinicalWorks offers a range of tools that could potentially address the challenges faced by general surgery clinics, though the learning curve and usability concerns need to be factored in:

* **Documentation Burden:** Scribe AI, templates, and macros aim to make documentation faster.2 If the system can be mastered, this could alleviate some of the pressures described in.22

* **Workflow Inefficiencies:** Automation bots and scheduling tools are designed to improve efficiency.2 However, user complaints about “excessive clicks” and an “outdated interface” 2 suggest that workflow optimization might not be straightforward for all users.

* **Financial Pressures:** The integrated RCM services and financial analytics tools can help practices manage their revenue cycle more effectively and address common financial pain points.20

* **Patient Engagement:** The patient portal (HEALOW), telehealth options, self-scheduling, and secure messaging features can enhance patient communication and involvement in their care.2

* **Staffing and Training:** The “steep learning curve” 12 is a significant consideration. Practices must be prepared to invest heavily in initial and ongoing training to ensure staff proficiency and maximize the benefits of this feature-rich system, as highlighted by the general EHR implementation best practices concerning training.39

**Concluding Thought on eClinicalWorks:**

eClinicalWorks provides a vast array of features, including AI tools for documentation and automation, which could make it a powerful **General Surgery EHR**. Its flexible RCM options are also a plus. However, general surgery practices considering this system must be prepared for a potentially steep learning curve and should thoroughly investigate user feedback regarding usability and customer support. If a practice can dedicate the resources to training and effectively leverage its extensive toolkit, eClinicalWorks might be a suitable, scalable solution. Careful due diligence regarding the total cost, including any necessary add-ons, is essential.

6. AdvancedMD: Customizable Cloud Solutions for Your Clinic

AdvancedMD has established itself as a provider of comprehensive, cloud-based Electronic Health Record (EHR) and practice management software solutions, recognized for its high degree of customizability and scalability to fit practices of all sizes, from small independent facilities to large multi-specialty groups, including surgery centers.13 Its platform is housed on Amazon Web Services (AWS), emphasizing security and accessibility.24 This flexibility makes it a noteworthy option when considering a **General Surgery EHR**.

**Costs:**

AdvancedMD employs a flexible pricing strategy, often described as a “build your own package” or à la carte model, allowing practices to select and pay for only the features they require.14 While this offers tailoring, it can also make the system more expensive than some competitors, especially if many add-on features are chosen.14 They also offer an encounter-based pricing model, which is somewhat unique, and potential discounts for custom bundles.14 For practices opting for their Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) services, the cost is typically a percentage of monthly collections, often cited between 4% to 8%.14 G2 user reviews indicate a perceived cost of “$$$$” (four out of five dollar signs), suggesting it’s on the higher end.13 Practices evaluating AdvancedMD for their General Surgery EHR needs should carefully delineate required features to get an accurate cost estimate.

Features Built for Surgical and Practice Efficiency:

AdvancedMD offers a full suite of integrated solutions designed with the needs of medical practices, including surgical specialties, in mind:

Comprehensive EHR and Practice Management: The core offering includes tools for scheduling (optimizing appointments based on physician and resource availability), billing (with efficient claims processing and scrubbing), robust reporting and analytics, and extensive patient engagement features.¹³
Cloud-Based Platform: Hosted on AWS, ensuring data encryption, security, regular backups, and accessibility from anywhere.²⁴
Customizable Workflows: A key strength is the ability to customize patient rooming and pre-operative, peri-operative, and post-operative workflows. This allows surgical practices to create efficient processes for moving patients safely from check-in through the OR and recovery.²⁴ Real-time patient tracking aids this process.²⁴
ePrescribing Capabilities: Includes tools for electronic prescribing of post-operative medications, automated electronic prior authorizations for medications (a significant time-saver), allergy and drug interaction checks, and support for EPCS (Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances).²⁴
Robust Patient Engagement Tools:

Patient Portal: Allows patients to review surgical information, manage bills, pay online, request medication refills, and securely message the practice.¹⁴
Communication: HIPAA-compliant messaging, automated instructions and reminders, and electronic check-in capabilities.²⁴
Consent Forms & Education: Allows for electronic review of consent forms and sharing of patient education materials.²⁴

Telemedicine: Integrated telemedicine options for virtual consultations.¹³
Physician Dashboard & Charge Capture: A centralized dashboard allows for charting and prescriptions, with charge capture occurring during the charting process to streamline billing.¹³

Average Review Ratings – Solid with an Emphasis on Usability:

AdvancedMD generally receives positive, albeit sometimes mixed, reviews.

G2: Rated 3.6 out of 5 stars.¹³
Business.com: Awarded an Editor’s Score of 8.7 out of 10, with a particularly high ease-of-use rating of 9.5/10.¹⁴
Software Finder: Lists 322 reviews for AdvancedMD EHR.⁵⁶
EMRSystems: Gives a compatibility rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with 72% of users recommending the product.³⁶ The high ease-of-use score from Business.com is notable, suggesting that once the system is learned, it can be very intuitive. However, G2 reviews reflect a more moderate overall satisfaction.

What Users Say – Customization vs. Complexity and Support:

User feedback often praises AdvancedMD’s billing capabilities and customizability but sometimes criticizes customer service and the complexity of certain features.

Pros: Many users, especially billers, find the system easy to navigate, post payments, and run reports once it’s properly set up.¹³ The ability to customize scheduling and easily transfer information for patient charts is also valued.¹³ The color-coded navigation and configurable dashboard are highlighted for contributing to an intuitive workflow.¹⁴ The EHR and PM (billing module) are often described as solid and efficient, and the patient portal is considered highly functional.⁸²
Cons: G2’s summary of cons includes “Poor Functionality,” “Poor Usability” (contrasting with Business.com), “Billing Issues,” “Communication Issues,” and “Complex Navigation” for some users.¹³ Specific complaints mention too many tabs to click through for certain features.¹³ Some of the most critical reviews describe a “dreadful onboarding process, terrible training, absolutely worst customer service and support”.¹³ The eRx function, particularly for controlled substances, has been called inefficient and a “nightmare” by some users.⁸² Others have found manual data entry for notes to be tedious.⁸²

All-in-One or À La Carte?

AdvancedMD offers a comprehensive suite of solutions, but its “build your own package” philosophy 14 and an add-on menu for various functions mean that practices can tailor the system to their specific needs. This gives it a strong à la carte characteristic, allowing for flexibility but also requiring careful consideration of which modules are essential to avoid escalating costs.

AI as a Factor – Less Prominent in Current Snippets:

Based on the provided research snippets, AdvancedMD does not heavily market specific, cutting-edge AI features like ambient scribing or advanced predictive clinical analytics in the same explicit way as some competitors like Oracle Health, ModMed, or Athenahealth. While AI and automation are likely embedded in backend processes such as RCM and workflow automation (e.g., automated insurance eligibility verification 13), it’s not presented as a primary AI-driven platform in the available information. Practices prioritizing the latest AI-driven documentation or decision support tools might find other EHRs more overtly focused on these areas.

Revenue Improvement Features:

AdvancedMD provides a strong focus on billing and revenue cycle optimization:

Integrated Billing and RCM: Offers efficient claims processing, powerful scrubbing tools, and comprehensive revenue collection tools.²⁴
Charge Capture: Charges are captured during the charting process, reducing manual effort and potential errors for billing staff.¹³
RCM Services: For practices that prefer to outsource, AdvancedMD offers RCM services, typically costing 4-8% of monthly collections.¹⁴
Financial Analytics and Business Intelligence: Provides robust reporting capabilities to gain insights into financial performance, daily operations, and key metrics, enabling data-driven business decisions.¹⁴
Automated Eligibility Verification: Before appointments, the system can automatically verify insurance eligibility, alerting staff to potential issues.¹³ These features are designed to help practices streamline their financial operations, reduce A/R days, and improve overall profitability.

Solving Pain Points for General Surgery Practices:

AdvancedMD’s customizable and comprehensive platform can address several key challenges in general surgery:

Workflow Inefficiencies: The ability to customize pre-op, peri-op, and post-op workflows is a significant advantage for tailoring the system to specific surgical processes.²⁴ The color-coded navigation is intended to enhance ease of use.¹⁴ However, practices should be mindful of user reports regarding “many clicks” or “complex navigation” for some tasks.¹³
Documentation Burden: Customizable notes and a physician dashboard aim to streamline documentation.¹³ However, some users have found manual data entry for notes to be tedious ⁸², and the lack of prominent AI scribing features (in the provided snippets) means it might not offer the same level of documentation automation as some competitors.
Financial Pressures: The integrated billing system, RCM services, and financial analytics are strong tools for managing revenue and addressing financial challenges common to medical practices.¹⁴
Patient Engagement: A comprehensive patient portal, telehealth options, and automated reminders facilitate better patient communication, pre-surgery preparation, and follow-up care.¹³
Prior Authorizations: The system offers automated electronic prior authorizations for medications, which can save significant administrative time and reduce care delays.²⁴

Concluding Thought on AdvancedMD:

AdvancedMD offers a highly flexible and customizable cloud-based General Surgery EHR and practice management solution. Its strengths lie in its tailored workflows, robust patient portal, and integrated billing capabilities, making it a good fit for practices that want to design a system around their unique operational needs. While it’s praised for ease of use once learned, potential buyers should thoroughly investigate user reviews concerning customer service, the eRx module (if heavily used), and the total cost of ownership given its à la carte nature. For a general surgery practice that values customizability and a strong PM backbone, AdvancedMD is a worthy consideration.

7. Epic Systems: The Enterprise Standard – A Fit for Your Clinic?

Epic Systems is an undisputed giant in the Electronic Health Record market, predominantly serving large healthcare systems, academic medical centers, and extensive hospital networks.² Its reputation is built on comprehensive functionality, deep interoperability within its ecosystem, and a highly configurable platform. For general surgery practices operating within or closely affiliated with such large institutions, Epic is often the default and deeply integrated General Surgery EHR. However, for independent or smaller surgical groups, its scale and cost can be prohibitive.

Costs:

The investment required for Epic is substantial, positioning it as one of the most expensive EHR solutions available. Estimates for implementation can range broadly from $1,200 (likely for a very small, specific module or per-user fee in a limited context) to well over $500,000, and potentially much more for large-scale enterprise deployments.2 User reviews and industry perception consistently categorize Epic’s cost as “High” or even “Very High”.12 One user described the expense as “galactic”.47 This significant financial outlay means that Epic is typically only a viable General Surgery EHR option for large, well-resourced organizations that can support the initial implementation and ongoing maintenance costs. A clear return on investment strategy, focusing on efficiency gains and improved outcomes at scale, is essential.

Features – Comprehensive and Deeply Integrated:

Epic offers an expansive suite of tools designed to manage nearly every aspect of patient care and hospital operations:

Core EHR Functionality: Provides a comprehensive EHR with robust clinical documentation tools, order entry, results review, and decision support.²
Interoperability: Strong interoperability within the Epic network and with other systems (though sometimes requiring custom development for non-Epic systems) is a hallmark. It facilitates seamless data sharing across large health systems.²
MyChart Patient Portal: Epic’s MyChart is one of the most widely used and highly-rated patient portals, offering patients extensive access to their health information, appointment scheduling, secure messaging, bill pay, and telehealth access.²
Specialty Modules: Epic supports a vast array of medical specialties (over 40 are often cited), with specific modules and workflows that can be configured for areas like surgery.³⁶ This includes tools like NoteWriter for efficient charting and the ability to recall physician preferences.⁴⁷
Integrated Practice Management and Billing: Epic’s suite includes powerful PM and billing applications (e.g., Resolute Hospital Billing, Prelude for registration, Cadence for scheduling), which are often Best in KLAS winners for large hospital segments.¹⁶ These tools manage patient accounting, charge capture, and claims processing.
Analytics and Reporting: Offers sophisticated analytics and reporting capabilities to track clinical outcomes, operational efficiency, and financial performance.²
Telehealth: Epic Telehealth is a well-regarded solution, also earning Best in KLAS recognition, providing integrated virtual care capabilities.¹⁶
Population Health Tools: Includes functionalities for managing the health of large patient populations, crucial for value-based care initiatives.²

Average Review Ratings – Dominant in its Domain:

Epic consistently receives very strong ratings, especially from users within its target demographic of large healthcare organizations.

G2: Rated 4.2 out of 5 stars.¹²
Capterra: Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars.²
Software Finder: Also gives a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars.⁴⁶
EMRSystems: Provides a compatibility rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with an impressive 78% of users recommending the product.³⁶
KLAS Research: Epic is a perennial top performer in KLAS rankings, frequently earning “Best in KLAS” for Overall Software Suite, Acute Care EMR (Large Hospitals), Patient Portals (MyChart), Ambulatory EMR (Health System Owned), and various departmental solutions.¹⁶ These high ratings underscore Epic’s success in meeting the complex needs of large-scale healthcare providers.

What Users Say – Powerful but Potentially Overwhelming:

User feedback on Epic often reflects its dual nature: incredibly powerful and comprehensive, but also complex and resource-intensive.

Pros: Users praise its ability to make finding and filtering patient information easy, and the utility of dot phrases/macros for saving documentation time.¹² The system’s security features are strong, and its integration capabilities within large networks are a major plus.¹² Access to comprehensive patient records, including past visits from other providers, is highly valued.⁴⁶ Many find it user-friendly and easy to navigate once learned, with effective tools for error-free billing and charge capture.⁴⁶ The MyChart patient portal is almost universally lauded for enhancing patient engagement.⁴⁷ The system’s customizability is also a frequently mentioned benefit.⁴⁷
Cons: The most significant con is that Epic is often considered too robust and expensive for smaller settings.¹² The user interface is sometimes described as feeling dated, reminiscent of older operating systems (“2007 Windows feels”).¹² While customizable, some users have found specific customization options lacking or frustrating.⁴⁶ Locating old records or specific flow sheets can sometimes be challenging.⁴⁶ The initial setup process is complex, requiring significant staffing and ongoing resource-intensive maintenance.⁴⁶ There’s a notable learning curve for new users ¹⁵, and some users have reported system lag during peak usage times or occasional crashes.⁴⁷

All-in-One or À La Carte?

Epic is fundamentally an all-in-one, enterprise-wide system. While it consists of various modules (e.g., Inpatient, Ambulatory, Willow for pharmacy, OpTime for surgery, Resolute for billing, MyChart for patient portal), these are designed to be deeply integrated into a unified platform. Large organizations typically implement a broad range of these modules to cover their diverse needs.

AI as a Factor – Embedded Intelligence and Data Leverage:

While Epic may not market standalone “AI agent” products as visibly as some competitors, artificial intelligence and machine learning are deeply embedded within its platform and strategic direction.

Predictive Analytics and Clinical Decision Support: Epic utilizes AI/ML for sophisticated predictive analytics, risk stratification, and clinical decision support tools, leveraging its vast repository of patient data.²
Smart Features: Tools like Epic Secure Chat (a Best in KLAS Clinical Communications tool ¹⁶) likely incorporate intelligent features for efficient communication.
Foundation for AI Development: Epic’s extensive, structured dataset, aggregated from millions of patient records, provides an unparalleled foundation for developing and training highly effective AI models for healthcare. While specific AI product names might not be as front-and-center in the provided snippets, the platform’s architecture and data capabilities are inherently AI-ready. Epic’s approach to AI is often about integrating intelligence seamlessly into existing workflows to augment clinical and operational processes, rather than offering it as a separate, visible layer.

Revenue Improvement Features:

Epic provides robust, integrated financial systems designed for the complexities of hospital and large practice billing:

Integrated Billing Management: Solutions like Resolute Hospital Billing (often Best in KLAS ¹⁶) and Resolute/Prelude/Cadence Ambulatory for practice management and billing are core components.¹⁶
Automated Coding and Charge Capture: The system includes tools for automated coding suggestions and efficient charge capture during clinical documentation, aiming to reduce errors and administrative overhead.⁴⁶
Paperless Billing and Online Payments: Facilitates paperless patient statements and online bill payment through MyChart, streamlining the patient payment process.⁴⁷ These features are geared towards optimizing the revenue cycle for large, high-volume environments, ensuring accurate billing and efficient collections.

Solving Pain Points for General Surgery (Primarily in Large/Hospital Settings):

For general surgery practices integrated within large health systems that use Epic, the platform addresses several key challenges:

Complex Patient Data Management: Epic’s comprehensive patient record system allows surgeons to access a longitudinal view of patient data, which is crucial for complex cases.¹² This helps overcome data availability issues often seen with disparate systems.²²
Interoperability within the Health System: Epic’s strong integration capabilities ensure that surgical teams can seamlessly share information with other departments and providers within the same Epic-based health system, which is critical for coordinated care.²
Care Coordination: Shared patient records and the MyChart patient portal facilitate better communication and coordination among the care team and with the patient throughout the surgical journey.²
Documentation Efficiency (for some users): Features like dot phrases, macros, and the NoteWriter tool can help streamline clinical documentation for surgeons who adapt well to the system.¹² However, the interface and “clickiness” can be a counterpoint for others.
Regulatory Compliance (MIPS/MACRA): Epic is certified for these programs, helping large organizations meet reporting requirements.⁴⁷
Specialized Surgical Modules (OpTime): Epic offers OpTime, a dedicated module for operating room management, which includes features for surgical scheduling, perioperative documentation, and OR analytics, directly supporting the general surgery workflow.

Concluding Thought on Epic Systems:

Epic is undeniably the gold standard for large, integrated healthcare enterprises. If a general surgery practice is part of such an organization, Epic will almost certainly be their General Surgery EHR, offering unparalleled depth, integration, and data capabilities. For independent general surgery clinics, however, Epic’s immense scale, complexity, and high cost typically make it an impractical choice unless the practice has exceptionally unique, large-scale needs and the substantial financial and IT resources required for its implementation and maintenance. The power of its integrated platform is undeniable, but its suitability is highly dependent on the practice’s context.

8. DrChrono by EverHealth: Mobile-First and Billing-Focused Software

DrChrono, now part of EverHealth, has carved a niche in the EHR market with its mobile-first approach, particularly its strong integration with Apple’s iOS platform (iPad and iPhone), and a significant focus on providing robust medical billing and Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) services.¹⁷ It’s often positioned as a good option for new or small to medium-sized practices looking for an affordable and user-friendly solution with strong financial tools, making it a potential candidate for a General Surgery EHR in such settings.

Costs:

DrChrono offers a tiered pricing structure, aiming to provide options for different practice sizes and needs. Implementation fees are notably often included in the subscription rates, which is a plus for cost-conscious practices.42

Tiered Plans:

Prometheus: Estimated around $249 per provider per month ⁴² (or $199/provider/month for a “Basic” plan ¹⁸). This tier typically includes basic patient portal and mobile app access, basic e-prescriptions, patient check-in tools, and limited appointment reminders and e-faxes.
Hippocrates (or “Professional”): Estimated around $349 per provider per month ⁴² (or $299/provider/month ¹⁸). This tier usually adds features like EPCS (Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances), lab integrations, and real-time insurance eligibility checks, along with more reminders and faxes.
Apollo (or “Advanced”): Typically starts around $599 per provider per month ⁴² (or $499/provider/month ¹⁸). This plan often includes integrated claims management tools, electronic remittance advice, and a higher volume of reminders and faxes.
Apollo Plus: Pricing for this top tier is usually dependent on claims volume, value, and billing complexity. It provides access to advanced business intelligence tools and the highest allotments for reminders and e-faxes, and often includes DrChrono’s full RCM services.⁴²
Free Trial: DrChrono commonly offers a 30-day free trial, allowing practices to test core functionalities before committing.¹⁹ The competitive pricing, transparent tiered structure, and lack of separate implementation fees make DrChrono an accessible General Surgery EHR option, particularly for smaller or newer practices managing their budgets carefully.

Features – Mobile-Centric and Billing Strong:

DrChrono’s feature set emphasizes mobility, ease of use for core clinical tasks, and robust billing support:

Mobile EHR Excellence: DrChrono was a pioneer in developing EHR apps for iPad and iPhone and is an official Apple Mobility Partner for healthcare.¹⁷ This allows providers to chart, prescribe, and manage patient care effectively from their mobile devices.
Customizable Clinical Documentation: The EHR offers customizable clinical notes, charting shortcuts, and medical templates tailored for over 20 specialties, which can be adapted for general surgery needs.¹⁹ Features include medical speech-to-text and the ability to free-draw on photos or diagrams for annotations.⁴²
Integrated Medical Billing and RCM Services: This is a core strength. DrChrono provides both integrated medical billing software and comprehensive RCM services handled by their team of experts, boasting high clean claims rates.¹⁸
Patient Engagement (OnPatient Portal): The OnPatient portal allows patients to book appointments, communicate with their doctor, access records, and make payments. It also supports automated reminders for appointments and medication refills.¹⁹ (Note: some reports suggest the OnPatient app is primarily for Apple devices ⁴²).
Essential Clinical Tools: Includes telehealth capabilities (often built-in), eRx (Electronic Prescribing) with EPCS on higher tiers, lab and imaging integration, and appointment scheduling with reminders.¹⁹
Reporting and Analytics: Provides tools for reporting on financial performance, productivity, and patient trends, with customization options for various specialties.¹⁸
Compliance: The platform is ONC-ATCB certified and supports MACRA/MIPS compliance.¹⁹

Average Review Ratings – A Spectrum of Opinions:

DrChrono’s reviews are somewhat mixed across different platforms.

G2: Rated 3.4 out of 5 stars.¹⁷ Some recent G2 reviews are highly critical, particularly regarding customer support and platform modernity post-acquisition by EverHealth.
Capterra: Rated 4.2 out of 5 stars.¹⁸ This indicates a more positive experience among Capterra users.
Business.com: Awarded an Editor’s Score of 8.4 out of 10, praising its competitive pricing and effectiveness for new/small practices.⁴²
EMRSystems: Gives a compatibility rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with 74% of users recommending the product.³⁶
Awards: DrChrono received an “EHR Innovation” award in the MedTech Breakthrough Awards program.⁵⁶ The variance in ratings, particularly the lower G2 score with some pointed criticisms, suggests that prospective users should conduct thorough due diligence, perhaps focusing on recent reviews to gauge current performance and support quality.

What Users Say – iOS Strengths and Support Woes:

User feedback often highlights DrChrono’s strengths for iOS users and its billing services, but also raises concerns about customer support and platform evolution.

Pros: Users find it competitively priced and generally easy to use, making it a good fit for new or very small healthcare organizations.⁴² The medical billing features and RCM services are a standout, with reports of high clean claims rates (96-98%) and efficient denial management.⁴² Customizable templates and an easy implementation process are also positives.⁴² For iOS users, the platform offers “best-in-class, lightning-fast charting and medication management”.¹⁷ Internal analysis mentioned in ¹⁹ shows DrChrono excelling in clinical charting functionalities, customizable templates, reporting/analytics, and mobile capabilities compared to some competitors.
Cons: Customer support is a significant area of concern in several reviews, with users describing it as slow, unhelpful, and even alleging deceptive business practices in one highly critical G2 review.¹⁷ The platform itself has been described by some as feeling outdated and clunky, with a frustrating UI.¹⁷ Limited third-party integrations are another reported drawback.¹⁸ The OnPatient portal being primarily for Apple devices could be a limitation for practices with a diverse patient tech base.⁴² Basic eRx features on the lowest tier plan may not be sufficient for all practices.⁴²

All-in-One or À La Carte?

DrChrono provides an integrated suite of EHR, Practice Management, and medical billing tools.18 The tiered pricing plans mean that certain advanced features or higher service levels are available on more expensive plans, giving it a somewhat à la carte feel in terms of feature scalability based on subscription level.

AI as a Factor – Adaptive Learning:

DrChrono incorporates some AI capabilities aimed at improving workflow efficiency:

AI-Equipped System: The platform is described as an “AI-equipped system” with adaptable predictions based on previous use, designed to help quickly record patient information and continuously improve electronic workflows.¹⁹ While this indicates a degree of embedded intelligence, DrChrono is not as prominently marketed for advanced AI functionalities like dedicated ambient scribing tools or complex clinical decision support when compared to some other EHRs in this review. Its AI focus appears to be more on streamlining existing data entry and workflow processes.

Revenue Improvement Features – A Primary Focus:

Improving the financial health of practices is a central component of DrChrono’s value proposition:

Expert RCM Services: DrChrono offers RCM services handled by their in-house team of billing experts and certified coders. They boast a high clean claims rate (96-98%) and a quick turnaround (48 hours) on addressing denials.⁴²
Automated Billing and Claims: The software automates billing and insurance claims processes to reduce errors and accelerate payments.¹⁹
Live Claims Feed and Payment Tracking: The billing module includes a live claims feed to monitor claim status and tools for tracking patient payments and past-due balances.⁴²
Real-Time Insurance Eligibility Checks: Available on higher-tier plans, this feature helps reduce claim rejections due to eligibility issues.⁴² These robust RCM features make DrChrono particularly attractive for practices that want to outsource their billing operations or significantly improve their in-house billing efficiency.

Solving Pain Points for General Surgery Practices:

DrChrono’s offerings can address several specific pain points for smaller or mobile-focused general surgery practices:

Financial Pressures & Billing Complexity: The strong RCM services and integrated billing tools are a direct solution for practices struggling with collections, claim denials, and overall financial management.¹⁹
Documentation Efficiency (Especially on Mobile): The mobile-first design, particularly for iOS users, combined with customizable templates and medical speech-to-text, can streamline documentation for surgeons on the go or those who prefer tablet-based charting.¹⁷
Ease of Use for Small Practices: The system is generally designed for simplicity with a minimal learning curve, which can be beneficial for smaller teams without extensive IT support.⁴²
Patient Engagement: The OnPatient portal, telehealth options, and automated appointment reminders help improve patient communication and involvement.¹¹
Cost Barriers for New or Small Practices: The availability of a free trial, tiered pricing, and the inclusion of implementation and training in subscription rates make it a financially accessible option for practices starting out or operating on tighter budgets.¹⁸

Concluding Thought on DrChrono:

DrChrono by EverHealth presents a compelling General Surgery EHR option for new, small, or highly mobile-centric general surgery practices, especially those that prioritize strong, integrated billing and RCM services and favor the iOS ecosystem. Its competitive pricing and mobile-first design are significant advantages. However, practices should carefully weigh the mixed user reviews regarding customer support and platform modernity, particularly recent feedback. If the core strengths align with a practice’s priorities, DrChrono can be an efficient and financially sound choice.

It’s clear that the “best” General Surgery EHR is not a one-size-fits-all designation. The ideal choice hinges on a multitude of factors unique to each practice. For instance, a large hospital-affiliated surgical department will have vastly different needs and resources compared to a small, independent general surgery clinic. The former might gravitate towards enterprise-level systems like Oracle Health or Epic, which offer deep integration, comprehensive functionality, and the ability to handle immense complexity, albeit at a significant cost and with a considerable implementation effort.² These systems are built for scale and extensive data management.

Conversely, smaller to mid-sized independent practices might find solutions like ModMed, Athenahealth, NextGen Office, eClinicalWorks, AdvancedMD, or DrChrono more aligned with their operational scope and budget.² Within this group, further differentiation occurs: ModMed stands out for its deep specialty focus and advanced AI like ModMed Scribe.⁶ Athenahealth leverages its vast network for intelligence and offers strong RCM.¹⁰ AdvancedMD provides high customizability ¹⁴, while DrChrono appeals with its mobile-first design and billing services for smaller setups.¹⁷ eClinicalWorks and NextGen offer broad feature sets that can be scaled, but practices need to assess usability and the cost of necessary modules.²

The explicit statement from EMRSystems.net, “‘One size fits all’ simply doesn’t apply in the world of healthcare IT,” perfectly encapsulates this reality.³⁶ Therefore, a general surgery practice must embark on a thorough self-assessment, considering its current size, future growth plans, budget constraints, specific procedural workflows, integration needs with local hospitals or labs, and the team’s technological aptitude before making a selection. The process should involve live demos, detailed discussions about customization for general surgery, and careful review of contracts to understand the total cost of ownership.

Furthermore, the EHR market is visibly in a dynamic phase of Artificial Intelligence integration. While the broader potential of AI in revolutionizing clinical decision-making in surgery is still developing, its current, more tangible benefits within EHRs are largely concentrated on alleviating administrative burdens and enhancing billing efficiency. Features like AI-powered ambient scribing (e.g., ModMed Scribe, Athenahealth’s Abridge integration, Oracle’s Clinical AI Agent), automated coding suggestions, and AI-driven RCM workflows are becoming key differentiators.² Vendors that are successfully delivering these practical AI applications are gaining a competitive edge because they directly address some of the most significant pain points for physicians: documentation overload and complex billing processes.²⁰ This trend suggests that AI’s role in making the administrative aspects of running a general surgery practice more manageable will continue to grow, making AI capabilities an increasingly important factor in EHR selection.

The Rise of AI in General Surgery: A Game Changer?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic buzzword in healthcare; it’s rapidly becoming an integral component of modern Electronic Health Record systems, and its impact on general surgery practices is poised to be transformative. When people think of AI in surgery, robotic arms might come to mind, but AI’s influence extends far beyond the operating room itself, deeply embedding into the General Surgery EHR to make workflows smoother, documentation faster, and communication more efficient.⁴¹ The core idea is to leverage intelligent systems that can analyze vast amounts of data, provide real-time insights, and automate time-consuming tasks, thereby allowing surgical teams to dedicate more of their valuable time and focus to direct patient care.²¹

One of the most significant ways AI is revolutionizing the General Surgery EHR landscape is through enhanced clinical documentation. The documentation burden is a well-documented source of physician burnout.²² AI-powered tools are stepping in to alleviate this:

Ambient Listening and AI Scribes: Solutions like ModMed Scribe ⁶, Athenahealth’s integration with Abridge ¹⁰, and Oracle Health’s Clinical AI Agent ⁴ use ambient technology to listen to patient-provider conversations during encounters. These AI systems can then automatically generate structured clinical notes, suggest relevant diagnoses and billing codes, and even pre-populate downstream workflows like medication orders or lab requests. This shift from manual data entry and click-heavy interfaces to natural conversation dramatically reduces “pajama time”—the hours clinicians spend catching up on notes after clinical hours.¹⁰ For general surgery, where operative notes and complex post-operative plans are crucial, this technology can be a massive time-saver and accuracy-enhancer. Some studies even suggest AI can produce surgical notes with greater accuracy than surgeons, reducing errors.³⁶
Voice Recognition and Navigation: Beyond ambient scribing, advanced voice recognition allows clinicians to navigate the EHR, input data, and issue commands using their voice, further reducing reliance on keyboards and mice.³ This is particularly useful in sterile environments or when hands are otherwise occupied.
AI-Powered Summaries and Data Extraction: AI can quickly process lengthy patient histories and generate concise summaries, enabling surgeons to get up to speed on a case much faster.⁴ It can also extract relevant information from unstructured data like faxes or scanned documents and place it into the correct fields within the EHR.¹⁰

AI is also making significant inroads into workflow automation and administrative efficiency within the General Surgery EHR:

Automated Pre-Op and Post-Op Communication: AI systems can automate the delivery of pre-surgical instructions (fasting, medication holds, arrival protocols) and post-operative care plans, reminders, and follow-up checks via SMS, email, or voice calls.⁴¹ This ensures patients are well-prepared, reduces no-shows, minimizes missed follow-ups, and helps monitor recovery, potentially flagging complications earlier.⁴¹
Intelligent Scheduling and Resource Management: AI can help optimize operating room schedules, predict busy times, and ensure necessary resources (staff, equipment) are available when needed, leading to better OR utilization and shorter patient wait times.²¹
Streamlined Prior Authorizations and Billing: AI algorithms can analyze patient data and payer rules to predict when prior authorizations are necessary and even help automate the submission process.¹¹ In revenue cycle management, AI can assist with coding, claim scrubbing, identifying optimal times for claim follow-up, and even drafting appeal letters for denied claims.¹⁰ This directly tackles major administrative headaches.³²
Enhanced Data Management and Analytics: AI, particularly machine learning (ML) and natural language processing (NLP), improves data accuracy and extraction from various sources, including clinical notes.²¹ This leads to more reliable patient records and enables more powerful analytics to identify trends, predict potential health issues, and optimize treatment plans.²¹ For general surgery, this could mean better tracking of surgical outcomes and identifying areas for quality improvement.

The integration of AI with EHRs aims to be seamless, enhancing existing workflows rather than disrupting them.²¹ The benefits extend to the entire surgical team:

Surgeons: Receive real-time updates, spend less time on documentation, and can focus more on complex decision-making and patient interaction.⁴¹
Pre-Op Coordinators & Schedulers: Benefit from automated instruction delivery, consent form management, and intelligent scheduling tools.⁴¹
Nurses (OR, Post-Op): Receive timely updates, experience smoother handovers, and have automated support for delivering post-op instructions and follow-ups.⁴¹
Administrative Staff: See a reduction in manual data entry, phone calls, and repetitive tasks related to billing and scheduling.²¹

Looking ahead, the role of AI in the General Surgery EHR is expected to expand further. Emerging technologies like more advanced NLP, predictive analytics for surgical risk stratification, and AI-driven decision support for complex cases are on the horizon.²¹ AI could also play a larger role in personalized patient care by analyzing genomic data, lifestyle factors, and medical history to tailor surgical approaches and recovery plans more precisely.²¹

However, the successful adoption of AI in a General Surgery EHR requires careful consideration. Practices need to ensure that staff are adequately trained on these new tools and that the EHR systems are regularly updated to leverage the latest AI capabilities.²¹ Data privacy and security also remain paramount as more patient data is processed by AI algorithms.

Ultimately, AI is not about replacing surgeons or their clinical judgment; it’s about augmenting their capabilities, automating the mundane, and providing smarter tools to enhance efficiency, safety, and the overall quality of patient care. For general surgery practices looking to the future, an EHR with robust and thoughtfully integrated AI features is rapidly becoming less of a luxury and more of a necessity.

Show Me the Money! How These EHRs Boost Clinic Revenue

In the demanding world of general surgery, where precision and patient outcomes are paramount, the financial health of the practice is equally critical for sustainability and growth. A modern, well-implemented General Surgery EHR is not just a clinical tool; it’s a powerful engine for revenue improvement. By streamlining workflows, reducing errors, enhancing billing accuracy, and improving patient throughput, these systems can significantly impact a clinic’s bottom line. Let’s explore the specific ways a General Surgery EHR can help you “show me the money!”

1. Optimized Revenue Cycle Management (RCM):

This is arguably the most direct way a General Surgery EHR boosts revenue. Inefficient RCM processes are a major source of lost income for medical practices, with issues like coding errors, claim denials, and slow payment turnarounds costing U.S. doctors billions annually.48

Integrated Billing and Coding: Many top EHRs offer tightly integrated billing modules or full RCM services.² This means clinical documentation can seamlessly flow into financial documents, ensuring that charges are captured accurately based on the services rendered. Features like built-in ICD-10 and CPT code search, and even AI-assisted coding suggestions, reduce manual errors and improve coding specificity.²
Automated Claims Management: EHRs can automate claim submission, scrubbing claims for errors against payer rules before they are sent. This significantly increases the “clean claims rate” (the percentage of claims processed correctly on the first submission) and the “first pass resolution rate (FPRR)”.⁵³ This leads to faster payments and fewer costly denials. Some systems boast impressive first-pass acceptance rates, often 98% or higher.⁴²
Denial Management and A/R Follow-up: Advanced EHRs provide tools to track denied claims, identify reasons for denial, and streamline the appeals process. Some even use AI to suggest optimal follow-up times with payers or assist in drafting appeal letters.¹⁰ This proactive management of accounts receivable (A/R) reduces A/R days and improves cash flow.⁵³
Real-Time Eligibility Verification: Many systems can automatically verify a patient’s insurance eligibility before or at the time of service.¹³ This reduces the likelihood of claims being denied due to eligibility issues and allows staff to address potential payment problems upfront.
Patient Payment Optimization: Features like patient portals with online bill pay, transparent quoting tools for out-of-pocket estimates, and automated payment reminders make it easier for patients to understand and pay their balances.⁴ This improves patient pay yield and reduces bad debt.⁵³

2. Enhanced Charge Capture:

Missed charges are a common source of revenue leakage. A General Surgery EHR helps ensure all billable services are captured:

Point-of-Care Charge Capture: Many systems allow charges to be captured directly during the clinical encounter as services are documented.¹³ This minimizes the risk of forgetting to bill for a procedure, supply, or consultation.
Procedure-Specific Templates: Templates designed for common general surgery procedures can prompt clinicians to document all relevant components of care, which in turn supports accurate and comprehensive billing.²⁶
Computer-Assisted Coding: AI and rule-based systems can analyze clinical documentation to suggest appropriate E&M codes and procedure codes, ensuring services are billed at the correct level and reducing under-coding or over-coding.²⁹

3. Improved Operational Efficiency and Patient Throughput:

Time is money in a busy surgical practice. A General Surgery EHR can unlock significant efficiency gains:

Streamlined Scheduling: Optimized appointment scheduling, tools to manage OR block time, and features to reduce patient no-shows (like automated reminders) mean fuller schedules and better resource utilization.¹³ Some EHRs claim to reduce no-shows by up to 50%.⁸⁵
Faster Documentation: AI scribes, voice recognition, and efficient templates can dramatically reduce the time surgeons spend on documentation, allowing them to see more patients or dedicate more time to complex cases.²
Reduced Administrative Overhead: Automation of tasks like prior authorizations, referral management, and patient communication frees up staff time, potentially reducing the need for additional administrative hires or allowing existing staff to focus on higher-value activities.² Some systems claim to reclaim 40-60 hours of staff time per week on average.⁸⁵

4. Enhanced Patient Acquisition and Retention:

While not a direct billing feature, patient engagement tools within a General Surgery EHR can contribute to practice growth:

Patient Portals and Self-Service: Offering convenient online access to records, appointment scheduling, and communication can improve patient satisfaction and loyalty.⁴ This can help with patient acquisition and retention, which are crucial for maintaining a steady revenue stream.³²
Telehealth Capabilities: Offering virtual consultations can expand a practice’s reach and provide a convenient option for follow-ups, potentially capturing revenue that might otherwise be lost.¹²

5. Data-Driven Decision Making for Financial Health:

Modern EHRs provide powerful analytics and reporting tools that offer insights into a practice’s financial performance.2

Key Performance Indicator (KPI) Tracking: Practices can monitor metrics like net collection rates, A/R days, denial rates, and cost to collect, allowing them to identify problem areas and implement corrective actions.³⁵
Payer Performance Analysis: Understanding which payers are problematic or have high denial rates can inform contract negotiations and billing strategies.⁵³

Service Line Profitability: Some systems may allow analysis of the profitability of different surgical procedures or service lines, helping practices