In the world of private healthcare, it’s crucial to manage patient data and admin tasks effectively. Practice management software (PMS) has become an essential tool for healthcare providers looking to optimise their business and deliver better patient care. But what exactly is PMS and why should you consider using it?
In this blog, Nicola Kingsmill, Practice Management Product Owner, summarises the benefits and considerations when choosing the right PMS for your practice.
Practice management software – a summary
PMS is a digital solution designed to help you manage the admin aspects of your practice. From scheduling appointments to handling invoicing and patient records, PMS brings together a wide range of functions into a single platform. In private healthcare, where time and accuracy are critical, having a reliable software solution can significantly reduce the time spent on non-clinical tasks, allowing you and your team to focus on delivering high-quality care.
What’s PMS used for?
Common uses include:
- Appointment scheduling: managing patient appointments smoothly, avoiding duplicate bookings and optimising your time
- Patient records management: storing and updating patient info securely in one central location
- Cash flow management: streamlining payment collection, simplifying invoicing and reminders to improve financial health
- Clinical coding: using the correct clinical services codes for insurance and invoicing purposes
5 reasons why you need it
In private healthcare, the right PMS can significantly enhance your practice’s accuracy and productivity.
Here are five reasons why you need practice management software:
- Streamline: PMS reduces time-consuming admin burdens, with features like automated appointment reminders, insurance membership look-up and bulk payment auto-allocation minimising manual work and enhancing workflows
- Improve data accuracy: by having a centralised platform, PMS ensures that data is entered consistently at every stage and can be updated in real time
- Boost cash flow: by giving you the tools to track payments, send automatic reminders and speed up the collection of outstanding invoices, a good PMS will help boost the money coming into your practice, while also reducing overhead costs on printing and postage
- Data security: security should be at the heart of every PMS – your patients’ data needs to be protected by strict security controls, including meeting Cyber Essentials and ISO 27001 standards, as well as complying with regulations like UK-GDPR
- Effective budgeting: subscribing to a plan gives you predictable costs and helps with financial planning. There are many PMS plans out there, but I recommend ePractice, our PMS, which has no additional hidden charges based on the number of users – you simply pay per practitioner, meaning you can share the benefits across your entire team
How is artificial intelligence enhancing practice management software?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way PMS operates, making it smarter and more intuitive. AI-powered features like predictive scheduling, automated patient registration forms and intelligent reminders for both patients and practitioners are increasingly common. These tools help reduce errors, save time, and improve the overall patient experience by ensuring that appointments and billing are handled seamlessly.
Our products and services already use smart features and we’re developing more for ePractice, including modelling-based care pathways built with Healthcode Intelligence.
What should you consider when looking for practice management software?
When looking for PMS for your practice, several factors should be considered to ensure it’s the right fit:
- Proven longevity and stability: look for a PMS provider with a track record. A reliable provider should be able to adapt to changes in the healthcare landscape and provide continuous support
- Commitment to innovation: the best providers stay ahead of the curve by incorporating new technologies, such as AI, to improve system functionality. Innovation ensures your software remains useful and efficient as your practice grows
- Exceptional customer support: consider the level of customer support available. A good provider offers accessible, free and friendly customer support, ideally with dedicated training to help your staff get the most out of the system
ePractice, a 360° comprehensive solution giving you more time to focus on your patients
It’s vital to run your business to maximise your time, allowing you to focus on your patients.
ePractice is a trusted practice management software that transforms the way private healthcare professionals run their practices, clinics and hospitals. Used by 1000s of practitioners, it streamlines patient management, invoicing and other key tasks, reducing admin time and boosting productivity.
Driven by Healthcode Intelligence, our expert team is constantly enhancing ePractice to ensure it remains a comprehensive, 360° solution for private practice management — both now and for years to come. With our focus on stability, security and long-term reliability, you can enhance and grow your practice with confidence and focus your time with your patients where it matters.
If you’re ready to take your private healthcare practice to the next level, why not look at ePractice? Get in touch for a demo and discover how ePractice will make a difference for you and your team.
