Top 5 Ways Practices Lose Money with the Wrong EHR

The Hidden Costs of a Bad EHR

Choosing the wrong Electronic Health Record (EHR) system doesn’t just cause administrative headaches—it directly impacts your bottom line. From hidden fees to inefficient workflows, a poorly chosen EHR can drain your practice’s revenue faster than you realize. In this blog, we’ll uncover the five biggest financial pitfalls of using the wrong EHR and show you how an integrated EHR + Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) solution can prevent revenue loss.

1. Paying for Features You Don’t Use

Many EHRs promise extensive features that sound great on paper but don’t align with your actual needs. Practices end up paying for functionalities they never use, increasing overall costs without adding value. According to HealthIT.gov, EHR implementation costs can range from $15,000 to $70,000 per provider (HealthIT.gov). When unnecessary features inflate these costs, the return on investment (ROI) diminishes quickly.

Solution: Opt for an EHR tailored to your practice’s specific workflows, ensuring you only pay for what you need.

2. Slow, Clunky Workflows That Waste Time

Time is money, and an inefficient EHR can lead to significant productivity losses. Research from JAMIA found that transitioning to a new EHR can temporarily reduce productivity by 30–50%, impacting patient volume and revenue (JAMIA).

Cumbersome documentation processes force providers to spend more time on data entry instead of seeing patients, reducing the number of billable visits. The more time spent wrestling with an EHR, the less time spent on patient care, which directly affects revenue.

Solution: Choose an EHR with an intuitive, user-friendly design that streamlines documentation and patient workflows.

3. Poor Billing Integration That Leads to Claim Denials

Disconnected billing and EHR systems create costly administrative burdens. When your EHR and billing system don’t communicate effectively, errors in coding and documentation lead to higher claim denials. This disrupts cash flow and increases time spent on appeals and corrections.

According to ResearchGate, integrating EHRs with RCM systems can significantly improve billing efficiency and reduce claim denials (ResearchGate).

Solution: Use an EHR that includes built-in revenue cycle management to ensure smooth, accurate billing.

4. Surprise Fees & Unpredictable Pricing Models

Hidden fees can make even an initially affordable EHR incredibly expensive. Many vendors charge additional fees for:

• Training and onboarding
• Data migration
• Customization and integrations
• Customer support beyond a basic tier

A study by the Commonwealth Fund found that unexpected costs are one of the biggest barriers to effective EHR adoption (Commonwealth Fund).

Solution: Choose an EHR provider with transparent pricing, or better yet, one that offers the EHR for free when bundled with RCM services.

5. Poor Support That Leaves You Hanging

An unresponsive EHR vendor can lead to extended downtimes and financial setbacks. When providers experience issues, lack of timely support can disrupt operations, delay patient care, and increase staff frustration.

A poorly supported EHR system means:

• Delayed issue resolution
• Increased operational disruptions
• More time spent troubleshooting instead of seeing patients

Solution: Partner with an EHR vendor that offers responsive, high-quality support to ensure minimal disruptions to your practice.

The Smarter Way to Avoid These Pitfalls

A bad EHR isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a financial liability. The wrong system can lead to hidden costs, inefficiencies, and revenue loss that can cripple a practice’s financial health. But there’s a better way. An integrated EHR + RCM solution, like ChartPath, eliminates these risks. And the best part? ChartPath’s EHR is free when you use our billing services.

✅ No hidden fees

✅ No inefficiencies

✅ No claim denial nightmares

✅ Just one seamless system for clinical and financial success

Take the win. Schedule a demo today and see how ChartPath can transform your practice.