Select an EHR system based on maintenance and upgrades

A: Pricing for EHR systems varies greatly. The monthly subscription model is typical of a hosted solution, for which you don't need to acquire and maintain a database server. The licensed model may appear to be a better deal because you have a one-time fee, but when compared over a 3-to-5 year period, total costs are remarkably similar. Base your decision on the ongoing effort to maintain and upgrade your system. A monthly fee-based subscription model can reduce many of the day-to-day issues that require expertise not often found in a small practice.