Blog | May 21, 2024

Building a Better Digital Patient Experience with Epic

hospital staff using better digital patient experience in hospital with epic integration

Epic Systems is one of the leading Electronic Health Record (EHR) platforms, with more than 250 million patients having electronic records within its system. Its widespread use across various health systems and academic medical centers highlights its critical role in modern healthcare delivery. Effective Epic integration not only enhances clinical workflows but also significantly impacts administrative and financial processes.

In this post, we’ll cover:

  • Enhancing the Digital Patient Experience Through Epic Integration
  • Why Do These Integrations Matter?
  • Benefits for Patients and Providers
  • CarePayment + Epic: A Win-Win Relationship

 

Enhancing the Digital Patient Experience Through Epic Integration

The seamless integration of patient financial solutions within EHR systems like Epic is transforming the healthcare landscape. As the industry continues to evolve towards more patient-centered care, the need for efficient, transparent, and user-friendly financial engagement solutions has never been greater. This shift is driven by the growing demand for self-service, automation, and digital experiences in healthcare. 

The integration of patient financial engagement solutions into Epic is a strategic move that simplifies the payment process for patients while enhancing operational efficiency for healthcare providers. Here are key integration points that exemplify this: 

  • CarePayment’s Epic expertise is evidenced by its implementation in over 100 hospitals and health systems, demonstrating a robust track record across various Epic versions from Epic 2010 to the current iteration. Additionally, CarePayment operates effectively in both SBO and HB/PB environments, ensuring comprehensive compatibility and support for diverse healthcare settings. 
  • Epic MyChart Integration involves integrating financial solutions directly into MyChart, allowing patients to manage their medical expenses within a familiar platform. This user-friendly approach ensures that patients can easily access financing options, improving their overall financial experience. Additionally, automated processes within MyChart reduce administrative burdens and streamline financial transactions, making it simpler for patients to pay their bills. 
  • Hyperspace/Hyperdrive Integration offers comprehensive patient information to provider staff within Epic Hyperspace and Hyperdrive. This includes access to detailed financial information about patients, such as repayment terms and due dates, aiding in better patient management and support. The ability to communicate estimated monthly payments and flag accounts for enrollment simplifies the financial onboarding process for patients, ensuring they are informed and prepared before receiving care. 
  • Epic Guest Pay Integration provides flexible payment options for patients who prefer not to log into MyChart. This integration caters to diverse patient preferences, enhancing their financial engagement. By managing all communication and account updates through Guest Pay, the payment experience remains smooth, reducing patient frustration and improving satisfaction. 
  • Call Center Access to Epic enhances patient support by granting CarePayment’s in-house, U.S.-based call center agents read access to Epic. This access allows for quick resolution of billing and insurance queries, reducing the need for patients to be transferred back to providers. The streamlined support process improves patient satisfaction and minimizes the workload for providers. 

nurses working achieving a better patient experience with epic integration

Why Do These Integrations Matter? 

By leveraging these advanced Epic integrations and features, healthcare organizations can meet the growing demand for digital and self-service options, ultimately delivering patient-centered care and ensuring sustainable healthcare systems. Integrating payment options directly into Epic allows providers to create a seamless digital patient experience, managing their bills, selecting financing options, and confirming transactions within familiar platforms. Simplified processes reduce the stress associated with managing medical expenses, allowing patients to focus more on their health and recovery. 

Enhanced provider efficiency is a significant benefit of integrating patient financial information within Epic. This consolidation improves access to data and reduces administrative workload, allowing providers to focus on delivering high-quality care instead of managing financial logistics. Automated data transfers and integration, using the standard Epic Collections Extract File and Epic Clarity File, minimize errors and ensure information is accurate and up-to-date. Providers can refer accounts to CarePayment at any point during the billing process using billing indicators and agency codes. Cash is posted through Epic’s Self-Pay Remit File, and accounts are returned using the Billing Indicator Import File. This seamless process moves eligible accounts to the next billing step without manual intervention, further enhancing efficiency and accuracy. 

Better financial health for both patients and providers is a crucial outcome. Offering flexible financing options helps patients manage their medical expenses more effectively, reducing financial strain and potentially improving adherence to treatment plans. Improved patient engagement and streamlined payment processes also reduce the amount of uncompensated care, enhancing the financial stability of healthcare providers. 

Benefits for Patients and Providers 

In today’s healthcare landscape, flexible payment options are crucial. CarePayment’s integration within Epic offers seamless solutions for patients and significant financial advantages for providers. 

For Patients: 

  • Simple Enrollment: Patients can easily opt for financing options through MyChart without credit checks or human intervention, providing immediate access to financing. 
  • Flexible Payment Channels: CarePayment offers various payment and communication channels within Epic, allowing patients to choose the method that best suits their preferences. 
  • Reduced Stress: Handling medical bills directly within MyChart minimizes financial anxiety, enabling patients to focus on their health and recovery. 

For Providers: 

  • Revenue Growth: Integrated payment options engage more patients and reduce uncompensated care, enhancing revenue streams. 
  • Performance Guarantees: CarePayment provides contractual guarantees, ensuring providers are compensated if targets aren’t met, adding financial security to the partnership. 
  • Cost Efficiency: Streamlined financial processes within Epic reduce administrative burdens, allowing staff to prioritize patient care. 

CarePayment’s integration within Epic benefits patients by simplifying healthcare expenses and providers by increasing revenue and efficiency, ultimately improving accessibility and affordability in healthcare. 

CarePayment + Epic: A Win-Win Relationship  

Choosing a patient financing partner who understands the inner workings of the Epic system offers a seamless, transparent, and efficient financial experience for both healthcare providers and patients, ultimately improving the affordability and accessibility of healthcare services. 

CarePayment’s integration within Epic benefits patients by simplifying healthcare expenses and providers by increasing revenue and efficiency, ultimately improving accessibility and affordability in healthcare. Partnering with Epic experts like CarePayment unlocks additional value, making the digital patient experience a smoother and much more engaging financial journey. 

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