So what is practice management software?
Practice management software (PMS) is designed to automate and streamline the administrative and billing functions of a practice. Good medical practice management software will include many features including those to schedule appointments, simplify the billing and collections process, manage patient records and generate reports.
At the core, a practice management system will include a diary to manage patient appointments, patient database to store key patient demographics, and a module to manage the patient and insurance billing. Additional features will vary depending on the target audience for the software. For example, practice management software for surgeons will include theatre scheduling and procedure coding and operation notes.
Common Features of Clinical Practice Management Software
The common features of most practice management software systems include:
Diary to schedule appointments
Patient database
Clinical notes
Patient correspondence
Invoicing with direct link to insurers
Payment processing
Financial reporting
Additional features may include:
Patient portal
Online bookings
Online patient payment
Operation note generation
Telehealth video call
Integrated digital transcription
Text/email appointment reminders
Template letters and documents including forms
Insurer fees automatically populated
Patient waiting list
Integrations with other software systems
Practice management software can be desktop only, client server software or cloud-based software. Cloud-based software enables access to the data from any device where there is an internet connection, including mobile and tablet. Desktop only software systems are typically used on a single computer usually by one person only, whereas client server software allows multiple users to access the data via an on-site server that the practice purchases.
What are the advantages of Practice Management Software?
The overarching benefit of clinical software is to improve the efficiency of the practice, clinic or hospital, which in turn will reduce running costs and improve the patient's experience.
Reduce admin time
Clinical software will dramatically reduce the time your practice spends on administration tasks. A good PMS will automate processes saving you hours of time each week, time which you will now be able to spend in the business, either clinically or on business development. The previously manual form filling, printing and sending, and transcription will now be automated.
Improved patient communication
Whether it’s automated appointment letters, text messages to remind patients of appointments, ability to book online via your website or access to the patient portal containing letters and invoices – your patients will love the communication they receive from you.
Help your practice to grow
A good PMS will be your best friend when it comes to growing your practice. Online booking, multi-hospital options, multi-clinician feature, financial performance, automation and data for marketing purposes are all some of the key features that will help you grow.
Advantages of practice management software include:
All patient demographics, clinical records and financial history in one place
Reduces manual paperwork, eg automated appointment letters
Reduce postage and printing costs, eg correspondence uploaded to the patient portal
Online payment facility for patients, allocating directly into their records
Integrated digital transcription, reducing transcription costs
Integrated telehealth video software – fully encrypted with ease of access for patients
Faster payments from insurance companies
Automated electronic reminders to patients for appointments or overdue invoices
Insurer fees automatically populated into patient invoices
Patient portal for ease of communicating with patients
Keep track of patients with a waiting list
Reporting to help with marketing and finances
Integrated forms which auto populate
Data accessible from any device via the Cloud
Share information with other staff in the practice
Collect patient reviews easily with review platform integration
Ensures you are fully GDPR compliant with secure hosting and transfer of data
Discover how MediOffice can help your practice reduce costs and improve efficiency
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