Things to Know

What are your options? 

If you have not purchased an EHR system, SRHS can extend EHR functionality to your office(s) for a subscription fee. If you purchase a subscription prior to December 31, 2013, the EpicCare Ambulatory EHR (Full Functionality) Product Fees will include basic maintenance and support at a cost of $250 per provider per month.  After December 31, 2013, the fees increase substantially as current incentives will no longer be available.

A critical element of connectivity is the interoperability of the software.  Interoperability means that the software can communicate and exchange data accurately and in a manner that ensures that the clinical or operational data exchanges is preserved and unaltered.  The Epic product has been certified by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Epic is the first EHR vendor to hold both Inpatient and Enterprise certification from the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT).

How to connect?

To ensure interoperability and compliance with state and federal laws, there are certain requirements for our connectivity.

• Your practice must sign an EHR Connectivity Agreement with SRHS.
• Connectivity is subject to compatibility or interoperability between Epic and any existing electronic prescribing, electronic health record systems, or practice management systems.
• SRHS cannot offer the system to your practice at no cost.  A reasonable fee structure has been developed to ensure affordability of the system.  A price list is included.
• Your participation in this connectivity effort is not conditioned upon the volume or value of your admissions to SRHS, your use of SRHS’ services, or your referrals to any SRHS affiliated entity.
• SRHS cannot provide staff for your office for any use that is primarily to conduct personal business or business unrelated to your medical practice.  SRHS will supply maintenance and IT support services as defined below.
• All connectivity must be completed before December 31, 2013, in accordance with the sunset provisions of the Stark Exception. At that time, all fees will be increased to the market value price.

Phase I  (9/1/2011 and end 12/31/2013):  EpicCare Ambulatory EHR (Full Functionality) Product

• Total fee per provider per month is $250. 

The services included are described below:
• Subscription Fee includes EpicCare:
Registration, Scheduling, EHR, Clinical Content Tools, Online ordering to SRHS , E-Prescribing, Patient Portal (MyChart), Point of Service Scanning (Low Volume), Standard Reporting by Specialty, Professional Billing.

• Maintenance and Support
o Maintenance and Support Includes:
o Site Evaluation & Technical Assessment:
Review of existing hardware and connectivity of current equipment with recommendations required to support the technical specifications of the system.
o Implementation and Support
o Standard Go-Live Training & Support:
Training and staff to support go-live included.
o Standard Helpdesk Telephone Support:
Telephone support by qualified support technician available and ability to remote into system will provide fast resolution of problem.  Escalation of calls based on severity to Epic will be handled by our staff
o Ongoing basic training and support
o Ongoing basic On-Site Epic Application Support 

Additional Services NOT Included:
• Office Hardware & Support:
 Hardware, wireless devices, software, printers, scanners, networks, and support – technical specifications will be provided

• Network Connectivity:
Minimum and recommended bandwidth requirements will be provided

• Hourly Services
o Advanced Epic Training 
Further staff training, group training, or individual training
o Custom Development
Epic provides numerous reports and templates but custom development outside of the model system could incur additional charges
o Custom Interfaces:
Interfaces to existing billing systems or other third party systems will incur additional charges.

• Incremental Fees Available Upon Request
o Data Conversion :
Conversion of existing data will be reviewed to determine feasibility and pricing.
o Dictation (Integrated with EpicCare) and Transcription
Integration with existing dictation system will require review.
o Voice Recognition:
Dragon is available and integrates with EpicCare – there is an additional cost per provider for Dragon software.

• Separate Subscription Fees Available from Independent Vendor: 
o Eligibility 
o Claims Clearinghouse