If you want to provide modern care to your clients, an electronic health records (EHR) system is an absolute must-have. Unfortunately, finding the best EHR software for your practice can be a challenge - especially if you’re on a budget. In this article, we have some tips for finding a free EHR system  that’s professional, intuitive, and will grow alongside your business.

Is free EHR software right for you?

As an entrepreneur, you already know how expensive it is to set up a new business in the healthcare industry. So if you’re still in the early stages of running your own practice, free electronic health records  software can be a lifesaver. 

Health Affairs investigated 26 five-physician medical practices in Texas. They found that, once you account for the hardware, software, time, and effort involved, it cost approximately $162,000 for these businesses to implement a new EHR system. Although you’ll still need to spend some time setting up your EHR software , a free version is often a great way to minimize some of these high upfront costs.

If you decide to use an  EHR software that is free for the time being, make sure you choose one that offers a range of plans that are likely to suit your business as it expands. While you don’t need all these advanced capabilities now, it will be much easier if you can stick with your existing provider as your business grows. 

Finding the right free EHR system for your practice

Most free onlineEHR systems don’t have all the same capabilities as paid versions. But with that said, it’s vital to make sure that the software will still meet your practice’s needs. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself before getting started with your new EHR system.

Does it have all the functions you need?

Most free versions of EHR software will lack many of the capabilities that the paid version offers. Before settling on any software, make sure you decide which features you definitely need, and which would just be nice. Maybe you decide that a client portal is a must-have, but that you’re willing to go without group telehealth for now. Create a list and make sure that the  free electronic health records software you choose is compatible with your practice.

Are there any limits, such as a set number of clients or messages?

Many free EHR platforms set a limit on the number of active clients you can have at any time. Other platforms may restrict things such as how many messages you can send per week. Before signing up, make sure you’re very clear about what the free version allows and are confident that it’s going to work for you.

Are there hidden fees?

No one likes signing up to a system that you think will be free, only to find out that you actually need to pay to access the functionality you need. It’s a good idea to go for a free  electronic health record  software provider that offers clear and transparent pricing. Double check that you won’t need to enter credit card details at any time.

Will the EHR be able to scale with your practice?

Even though you only need a free EHR system for now, you’ve probably got big plans for your practice’s future. Do you imagine you’ll need to be able to add more team members or support accounts later on? Is it possible you’ll get to a stage where you need an unlimited number of clients? 

Have a look at the software provider’s paid plans and make sure they align with what you think you might need down the road. When you realize that it’s time to increase your functionality, the last thing you’ll want is to have to transfer all your data to a new system. Make sure the one you’re choosing is a system that will easily scale alongside your business.

Enjoy all of Healthie’s core functionalities with the Starter plan - it’s completely free

Healthie is a comprehensive EHR and practice management platform, and we’re happy to offer a free Starter plan. With this plan, health and wellness professionals can enjoy our most popular features at any stage of their business. These include:

• Fully HIPAA compliant EHR, including customizable charting templates.
• A secure portal where clients can complete journal entries, send messages, access resources, and more.
• One-on-one video calls.
• Seamless payment processing and invoicing.
• Integrations with our partners, including Stripe, Fullscript, and more.
• Scalability: enjoy simple and stressless upgrades to any of our paid plans.
  

Our Starter plan is free forever, and no credit card is required. Sign up today!