Are you struggling with EHR systems that either compromise HIPAA compliance or frustrate your staff? Our review highlights Blaze.tech, Epic Systems, and Athenahealth as top picks for 2024, with features that ensure security and user satisfaction. 

Read on to learn:

• What is HIPAA-Compliant EHR Software?
• Why HIPAA Compliance is Crucial for EHR Software
• How to Choose the Right HIPAA-Compliant EHR Software
• 6 Best HIPAA-Compliant EHR Software Solutions in 2024
• Next steps with Blaze

Let’s start with the basics.

What Is HIPAA-Compliant EHR Software?

HIPAA-compliant EHR software is a digital system that manages patient health records while meeting strict federal security standards.

These platforms handle everything from patient charts and prescriptions to lab results and billing, ensuring all health information remains protected through specific security measures like encryption and access controls.

Why HIPAA Compliance is Crucial for EHR Software

Healthcare organizations must follow HIPAA regulations to protect patient privacy and avoid severe penalties. Non-compliance can result in fines of up to $50,000 per violation (up to $1.5 million annually), criminal charges, and loss of medical licenses.

Beyond penalties, data breaches can expose sensitive patient information, damage reputation, and lead to patient lawsuits.

How To Choose the Right HIPAA-Compliant EHR Software

Look for these essential features:

• End-to-end encryption for all patient data
• Multi-factor authentication
• Detailed access logs
• Automated backup systems
• Regular security updates

The 6 Best HIPAA-Compliant EHR Software Solutions in 2024

We’ve compiled a list of the best HIPAA-compliant EHR software on the market today. Here are your top options to choose from:

1. Blaze.tech

Main features

• Built-in security framework: The platform has HIPAA and SOC 2 requirements built-in, with end-to-end encryption, granular access controls, and automated security monitoring that protects patient data at every touchpoint.
  
• No-code template builder: Healthcare teams can create and modify their own clinical workflows, documentation templates, and patient intake forms without any technical knowledge or developer support.
  
• Universal integration system: The platform connects seamlessly with any third-party healthcare tool through pre-built connectors and API flexibility, eliminating data silos between different systems.
  
• Rapid deployment engine: New practices can be fully configured and HIPAA-compliant within days, not months, through automated setup processes and pre-built healthcare modules.

Benefits

• Helps healthcare organizations save 70% on implementation costs by eliminating the need for custom development or extensive IT support.
  
• Gives administrators the power to modify workflows and forms instantly, without waiting for vendor support or paying for customizations.
  
• Provides developers with secure API access to build custom integrations while maintaining HIPAA compliance automatically.
  
• Enables healthcare providers to scale from single clinics to multi-state operations without changing platforms or losing functionality.

Unique strengths

• Blaze is the only platform that combines enterprise-level security with true no-code flexibility, making it accessible to practices of any size.
  
• It processes data 10 times faster than traditional EHRs through a modern cloud architecture that maintains speed even with millions of patient records.
  
• Reduces training time by 80% through an intuitive interface that mirrors common consumer apps, leading to higher staff adoption rates.
  
• Allows unlimited customization without added costs, unlike competitors who charge for each template or workflow modification.

2. Epic Systems

Main features

• Timeline-based patient records: The system automatically captures and organizes patient histories, test results, and treatment plans in a single timeline view that updates in real time during patient visits.
  
• Customizable clinical workflows: Medical teams can build custom care workflows that match their exact processes, like automatically routing lab results to specific nurses or creating specialty-specific documentation templates.
  
• Integrated video visits: Doctors can conduct video visits through the platform while maintaining access to the patient's complete medical record and documenting the visit simultaneously.
  
• Full-featured patient portal: The mobile patient portal lets patients schedule appointments, message their care team, view test results, and pay bills through their phone or tablet.

Benefits

• Helps doctors spend less time on paperwork by auto-populating common documentation fields and suggesting relevant diagnosis codes based on visit notes.
  
• Gives nurses instant alerts when patient vitals fall outside normal ranges and lets them quickly document care tasks from their mobile devices during rounds.
  
• Provides front desk staff with a clear view of each provider's availability and patient preferences to schedule appointments more efficiently.
  
• Enables medical practices to reduce missed appointments by automatically sending customized text and email reminders to patients.

Unique strengths

• Built specifically for large hospitals and health systems, with tools that work across emergency, inpatient, and outpatient settings.
  
• Uses pattern recognition to identify patients at risk for specific conditions and suggests preventive care measures to doctors.
  
• Connects with thousands of other hospitals and clinics to automatically share patient records when needed for referrals or emergency care.

3. Athenahealth

Main features

• Enterprise security suite: The platform encrypts all patient data with bank-level security and includes automatic session timeouts, detailed audit logs, and role-based access controls to prevent unauthorized access.
  
• Real-time compliance updates: The system automatically implements new healthcare regulations and security requirements, ensuring practices stay compliant without manual IT intervention.
  
• Financial performance dashboard: Users can track key metrics like claims denial rates, outstanding balances, and collection trends through interactive reports that update throughout the day.
  
• Clinical network intelligence: The platform analyzes patterns across thousands of connected practices to suggest best practices for common conditions and treatments automatically.

Benefits

• Helps billing teams reduce denial rates by automatically checking claims for errors and missing information before submission to insurance companies.
  
• Gives providers instant access to a patient's previous visits, medications, and test results from other clinics in the network during appointments.
  
• Provides practice managers with automated task lists that prioritize the most urgent patient follow-ups and insurance requirements.
  
• Enables front desk staff to verify insurance coverage and patient responsibility in real-time before appointments, reducing unexpected billing issues.

Unique strengths

• Offers built-in performance benchmarking that shows how your practice compares to similar clinics in your specialty and region.
  
• Maintains separate workflows for different specialties, like pediatrics or orthopedics, with specialty-specific templates and billing rules.
  
• Features a learning system that becomes more efficient over time by adapting to your practice's common procedures and documentation patterns.

4. Practice Fusion

Main Features

• Smart charting system: The platform includes specialty-specific templates that adapt to your documentation style, with built-in shortcuts for common diagnoses and treatment plans that reduce typing time.
  
• Nationwide pharmacy network: Providers can send electronic prescriptions, including controlled substances, to over 98,000 pharmacies with automatic drug interaction checks and formulary verification.
  
• Integrated lab ordering: The system connects directly with lab and imaging centers, allowing doctors to order tests and receive results electronically within the patient's chart.
  
• Automated quality tracking: Built-in dashboards monitor clinical quality measures in real time, automatically flagging patients who need preventive care or follow-up visits.

Benefits

• Helps providers complete patient visits faster by suggesting relevant templates based on appointment type and automatically pulling in prior visit information.
  
• Gives medical assistants a streamlined check-in process that automatically flags missing information and upcoming preventive care needs.
  
• Provides physicians with instant alerts about drug interactions and prescription coverage issues before the patient leaves the office.
  
• Enables practices to track their performance on quality measures throughout the year, avoiding last-minute rushes to meet reporting deadlines.

Unique strengths

• Updates automatically through the cloud without requiring any downloads or IT support, ensuring you always have the latest features and security patches.
  
• Includes unlimited US-based support at no extra cost, with dedicated training specialists who help customize the system to your practice's needs.
  
• Features a built-in MIPS dashboard that tracks your progress toward quality goals and suggests specific actions to improve scores.

5. AdvancedMD

Main features

• Smart cloud architecture: The platform automatically backs up data every 15 minutes and maintains multiple encrypted copies across secure data centers, eliminating the need for local servers or manual backups.
  
• Specialty documentation system: Providers can access and customize over 500 medical templates spanning 30+ specialties, with built-in tools for common procedures and condition-specific documentation.
  
• Telemedicine hub: The integrated virtual care platform includes a digital waiting room, secure video connections, and the ability to document visits and collect payments within the same system.
  
• Patient engagement suite: A comprehensive set of tools handles automated appointment reminders, online scheduling, secure messaging, and digital intake forms that sync directly to patient charts.

Benefits

• Helps front desk staff reduce no-shows by automatically identifying high-risk appointments and sending targeted reminder sequences through text, email, and phone.
  
• Gives physicians the ability to complete their documentation faster with mobile dictation tools and smart text templates that adapt to their preferred workflow.
  
• Provides billing teams with automated insurance eligibility checks and claim scrubbing tools that catch errors before submission.
  
• Enables practice managers to track provider productivity, patient satisfaction, and financial metrics through customizable real-time dashboards.

Unique strengths

• Accommodates both small practices and large multi-location groups with flexible pricing and features that scale as your practice grows.
  
• Features advanced scheduling algorithms that optimize provider calendars by considering factors like appointment type, provider preferences, and historical patient patterns.
  
• Includes specialized tools for mental health providers, such as integrated outcome measures, treatment planning templates, and group therapy scheduling.
  
• Maintains separate patient portals for different practice locations or specialties while keeping administrative tools unified, perfect for multi-specialty groups.

6. Kareo (by Tebra)

Main features

• Independent practice hub: The system combines clinical, billing, and patient engagement tools specifically sized and priced for independent practices without requiring expensive enterprise-level commitments.
  
• Lightweight documentation tools: Doctors can create and save their most common note templates with personalized shortcuts, auto-text expansions, and quick-click options for frequently used diagnoses.
  
• Real-time analytics dashboard: Practice owners can track key metrics like monthly revenue, outstanding claims, and popular procedures through easy-to-understand visual reports updated throughout the day.
  
• Automated billing workflow: The system automatically checks insurance eligibility, flags coding errors, and tracks claim status, reducing the manual work needed to get paid.

Benefits

• Helps small practices compete with larger healthcare groups by providing enterprise-level tools at a price point that works for independent providers.
  
• Allows solo practitioners to handle their billing without hiring additional staff through automated claim submission and tracking tools.
  
• Provides practice owners with clear visibility into their financial health through daily revenue reports and projected income forecasts.
  
• Enables front office staff to reduce paperwork by having patients complete forms online before visits and automatically transferring the information to their charts.

Unique strengths

• Designed specifically for practices with 1-10 providers, avoiding the complexity and cost of systems built for large hospitals.
  
• Features a dedicated mobile app that lets providers check schedules, review lab results, and send prescriptions from their phones.
  
• Includes free training and setup support focused on helping small practices transition from paper charts or other EHRs.
  
• Offers simplified pricing with no long-term contracts, making it easier for independent practices to manage their monthly expenses.

Challenges in Implementing HIPAA-Compliant EHR Software

Healthcare providers should prepare for these common implementation hurdles:

• The initial investment includes not just software costs but also staff training time and potential hardware upgrades.
  
• Integrating new EHR systems with existing tools like billing software or lab systems can be complex and may require technical expertise.
  
• Staff may resist changing their established workflows, requiring careful change management and comprehensive training.
  
• Regular system updates and security patches must be managed to maintain HIPAA compliance.
  
• Practices must conduct periodic security audits and maintain detailed documentation of their compliance efforts.

Next Steps with Blaze

Blaze.tech provides a comprehensive no-code EHR platform that combines healthcare-specific features with advanced security. It offers a visual environment for creating custom clinical workflows and documentation templates, focusing on HIPAA compliance, flexibility, and enterprise-grade security that exceeds regulatory requirements.

A key advantage of Blaze's implementation team is our healthcare expertise and track record of successful EHR deployments. We handle everything from initial setup to data migration and staff training, significantly reducing the transition time from legacy systems.

This specialized support makes Blaze invaluable for healthcare organizations aiming to modernize their patient records system without disrupting care delivery or requiring extensive IT resources.

To see how Blaze can transform your practice's digital infrastructure while maintaining the highest levels of patient data security, schedule a personalized demo today. You'll get a firsthand look at how Blaze's no-code flexibility and HIPAA-compliant features can streamline your clinical workflows while reducing IT costs.

Schedule a Free Demo Today.‍