In the beginning, practice management (PM) software made a lot of sense: one desktop application that allowed your practice to schedule appointments, capture patient demographics and, most importantly, take care of basically all of pieces of the billing process (sending claims, checking eligibility, and the tracking and processing of payments).
The PM meat and potatoes was always billing but, it made a lot of sense to include basic functionality like scheduling and a patient list.
Then the EHR revolution happened and, all of a sudden, there was a much better place to do everything associated with “practice management” except for billing. A patient’s chart notes and clinical information, so vital to all facets of practice management, is now available in the EHR.
Now, what was once known as practice management software is simply billing software. While billing programs like Kareo are undoubtedly vital and indispensable to any digital practice, they are no longer the hub of activity and information they once were. Primarily relegated to regular use by only the biller.
So why do we regularly get questions about Practice Management software? What people really mean is billing software, a program that either stands alone or is integrated into your EHR that allows your biller to check eligibility, send and receive claims, and track the billing payments.
Practice Management Software: Software that deals with daily operations of a medical practice including scheduling and billing.
Shea’s version: Practice Management software also referred to as PMS, no need for any elaboration there, is a wannabe EMR which can’t compete with the sophistication and customization of an EMR such as Practice Fusion.
A lot of EMRs call themselves Practice Management systems but they’re not. Most of what you consider practice management duties such as billing integration is right in the EMR. So please don’t refer to our EMR as a PMS, we’re a pretty happy group most of the time!
Shea Steinberg
Jr. Social Media Specialist
Practice Fusion EMR
