Replacing or upgrading your practice management software is no small task. Asking the right questions and pinpointing your needs can help your due diligence tasks flow smoothly.
Pick the right vendor to find the best software for your practice. Develop a strong, trusting relationship with a financially viable, stable, dependable company which possesses a strong and responsive support staff.
Make sure the software is customizable and ask about training. Adding customized reports is a must for busy practices and having a knowledgeable project manager in place can help employees embrace and use the software seamlessly.
Research subscription fees and other costs to see if you have a financial match.
List Your Needs
Knowing specifically what you need in a practice management system helps you identify medical software which best serves your practice. You don’t want to deal with complex queries or other problems which increase your workflow instead of reducing it. You may need robust reporting capabilities or some other feature relevant to your business.
Make sure the software can submit claims and schedule patient visits to cover the basics.
If a number of people will be using the system ask for their feedback on specific requirements. Someone who wants to crunch numbers may need hard and fast data combined with reporting potential while an assistant may be more interested in scheduling appointments. Asking for thorough feedback helps you to find a strong solution for each user.
Locate a Dependable Vendor
Do thorough due diligence on a watch list of vendors to find the most suitable one for your needs. Know that receiving any level of certification doesn’t guarantee that you’ll receive timely, top notch support. Listening to customer feedback through annual user group meetings and via online communities gives you a glimpse into the predominant user experience.
As with any form of feedback you’re bound to hear some terribly negative experiences but if most customers speak glowingly about a vendor you may have found a winner. Determine how many dedicated support representatives take care of clients to gauge responsiveness and effectiveness.
Know that although working with a small, specialty vendor can help fit your practice’s specific needs you may be partnering with a less stable entity that won’t be as responsive.
Develop a Budget
As your practice grows you’ll likely need to purchase new computer and software licenses to stay compliant. Practice management system upgrades may require you to pay an interface fee. List each fee to understand how much a system upgrade or new install will cost your practice. If you’ve found an affordable match you can move forward with greater confidence in your choice.
Upgrading your system or introducing a new practice management system demands training, planning and preparation. Develop a time frame to implement the system effectively. You may need to learn how to solve non technical problems which affect your business.
Put in time to develop your leadership skills to see the greatest benefits from using practice management software.