I keep hearing from long time Medisoft clients that they miss the Medisoft DOS program.  I'm from the DOS days too and miss the sweet simplistic program.  I can even tell you the date the DOS program was no longer support; December 1, 2000.  At the time, we had about 30 clinics we were billing for on DOS and I felt to be a responsible business owner, I needed to move everyone to a "supported" version of Medisoft.  Plus, Joey Borane, the head of Medisoft at the time kept telling us not to get "left behind".   I wasn't quite convinced of it at the time, but in retrospect, I can't imagine the hurdles to come with the new Windows Operating System and health care changes; HIPAA EDI,  HIPAA privacy, HIPAA security, NPI, new claim form, ANSI- 5010  and ICD-10.  Uhggg!

     Why do software companies (and hardware) keep upgrading?  Short answer:  to keep up with technology and health care changes.  And, you really don't need Medisoft or SpringCharts; they are really just "tools" no different than a hammer to a carpenter.    Really, just different name brands to get your job done.  But, why would you want to buy Medisoft and SpringCharts; longevity, pricing and functionality.  What does that mean?  Well, look at other programs and compare the price and how long they have been in existence.  Then, take a look at the program and see how well it works. 

      Plus, remember, that any program (like a hammer) will have a learning curve.  Throw me on top of a roof with a hammer and ask me to do a roofing job.  How long would it take for me to be proficient?  (Don’t ask my husband…he’ll say never!)

     Version 16 of Medisoft was a very clean program.  It had many health care and technology changes in it.  It will work with the new 64 bit OS of Vista and Windows 7 and it has the first big step of changing the PINS tables for the new ANSI 5010 EDI format that prepares us for the ICD-10.  These big changes are happening in all software programs.  (Hopefully…or they will be OOB – out of business!)

    We adopted the use of SpringCharts first of all because it fit our client base.  It is the least expensive certified EHR program on the market; by cost less than half….including the annual support fees; a “must have” by all EHR programs.  Plus, it syncs with Medisoft and they have great flexibility for changing templates on the fly and been around over 10 years.   And, in August, for the first time, they are offering 20% off on the heels of the Final Rules being released on July 13, 2010. 

      Finally, keep in mind that with all software, change is a must because of the changes in our industry.  But, compare pricing, functionality and longevity.

Happy Billing and Charting,

Bonnie J. Flom, CMRS

 Author of Mastering Medisoft

President of Minnesota AMBA Chapter

Billing Buddies

8459 10th Ave N

Golden Valley, MN  55427

Phone:  763-546-2455  Fax:  866-506-9681