Apple is everywhere these days – a far cry from when I was a college freshman and other students gawked at my Mac laptop. Consumers like all-things-Apple because of the easy touchscreens and friendly interfaces that let normal people (not just programming geniuses) use these products easily and for lots of different tasks.
Physicians seem to be big fans of iPhones and iPads in their personal lives too–and this is leading them to look for the same simplicity and convenience in the products they use at work. For example, a mid-2011 study surveying over 3,700 doctors in the QuantiaMD online community anticipated iPad tablet use in medical practices will near 50 percent in the very near future. That would be impressive for a device unveiled less than two years ago.
Since physicians who participate in online communities may be early adopters, we’re not sure what the survey’s findings say about physicians in general, who are typically late adopters. But the point is, it’s becoming obvious doctors are realizing the utility of Apple products for the workplace. Since one key area doctors always want to improve in is billing, I thought it would be a good idea to profile the leading Mac-based medical billing systems. To help you think about what medical billing solution could work for your practice, I’ve outlined some of the software options you should consider.
| Product | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ADP AdvancedMD Demo | 1 to 10 physicians | One of the first web-based practice management systems, ADP AdvancedMD now offers integrated EHR capabilities as well. |
| AllegianceMD Demo | 1 to 10 physicians | Includes practice management functionality for billing and scheduling, as well as a complete EHR. Sophisticated claims scrubbing is especially useful. |
| athenaCollector Demo | Up to 50 physicians or more | Offers a unique combination of software and revenue cycle management services, which has led to 94 percent of claims paid the first time. EHR available. |
| CareCloud Central Demo | 1 to 50 physicians | A next-generation “cloud-based” solution that offers a refreshing user interface. Reporting is especially strong and easy to understand. |
| MediTouch PM Demo | 1 to 25 physicians | Designed by revenue cycle management experts, MediTouch PM provides highly advanced billing with automated insurance eligibility verification. |
| MDConnection Demo | 1 to 2 physicians | A practice and patient management solution with integrated claim scrubbing to increase your first-time claim validations. Strong claim scrubbing features. |
| NueMD PM Demo | 1 to 5 physicians | A practice management solution to handle billing and claims processing and patient scheduling, registration, ticketing, statements and collections. |
| Kip Medical Billing Administrator | Up to 50 physicians | Integrated package handles billing and receivables. A more basic option, but native to the Mac, for those who love the OSX UI. |
| MacPractice MD | Up to 50 physicians | Perhaps the most popular native Mac solution for medical offices. Includes an integrated EHR as well all the usual practice management features. |
As you explore which Mac-compatible medical billing software is right for you, there are several things to keep in mind. First, you’ll want to make sure the software can support a practice of your size. Second, your software should be appropriate for the specialty your practice serves. Some vendors build software flexible enough for almost any specialty to use, while others may cater to the needs of only certain specialties. Finally, you’ll need to decide whether you want to purchase a web-based solution – also known as a hosted or software-as-a-service option – or a traditional Mac-based software system that’s installed on-site at your office.
Web-based Mac Medical Billing Software
The vast majority of medical billing Mac software options are offered in the web-based format I just mentioned — for example, all but the last two options I list in the table are web-based solutions. Web-based solutions are the norm for Mac users in the medical world because the majority of medical practices are still PC based. Web-based software is hosted and managed remotely by the vendor, so users at your office can access the software from an Internet connection regardless of whether they’re on a Mac or a PC. One advantage of web-based solutions is that they usually cost less up front, since they don’t require upfront hardware investments. As such this option means you can pay as you go, either monthly or annually. Smaller practices that need secure access without a lot of upfront costs often prefer web-based solutions.
Native Mac Medical Billing Software
There are not many choices when it comes to native Mac medical billing software. However, this option will be ideal for offices that run entirely on Apple computers and are looking for a consistent Apple OS look and feel. If you’re looking for Mac-based medical billing software you should look into MacPractice MD or Kip Medical Billing Administrator, the last two systems I’ve profiled in the table. Native systems are usually sold for a one-time fee, meaning you’ll avoid ongoing subscription fees. However, ongoing maintenance or customer support fees may be necessary.
Well, that about wraps it up. Have you used any of the systems above? Do you use another medical billing software on a Mac that I missed? Please leave me a comment below. Thanks!
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Sarahmoray
