Medical Billing Forum

General Category => General Questions => : bpark73 September 08, 2016, 04:15:08 PM

: PMS, EMR, EHR...what's the difference?
: bpark73 September 08, 2016, 04:15:08 PM

I understand what the acronyms stand for but am a bit confused with the differences if any? Are these phrases sometimes used interchangeably? For example Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and Electronic Health Records (EHR) seem like the same thing. 

I'm probably missing a few other acronyms but...just seeking some clarification.

: Re: PMS, EMR, EHR...what's the difference?
: Tameka79 September 08, 2016, 06:42:47 PM

Well, from my understanding, PMS is Practice Management System.  This would be where you, as the biller, do all your charges, posting, claims, etc... EMR and EHR, I believe are sometimes interchangable, but I would say EMR is the collection of patient's electronic health records and EHR is an individual patient's electronic health record.

: Re: PMS, EMR, EHR...what's the difference?
: kristin September 08, 2016, 10:13:17 PM

Some EMR's also have a PM portion, so it is all in one. Like Health Fusion, for instance. And some EMR's are just EMR's, and you need to get a separate PM system to do the billing side. Like you can have Practice Fusion for your EMR, and then have Kareo for your PM side.

: Re: PMS, EMR, EHR...what's the difference?
: bpark73 September 10, 2016, 01:29:11 AM

Thank you guys for the clarification!

Brian