How To Make Your EHR Work For You: Real-Time Medication Costs at Your Fingertips

Ever had that awkward moment in the exam room? You're about to prescribe medication, but your patient hesitates and asks, "Doc, how much is this going to cost me?" Without real-time cost data, you're both left in the dark.

According to a recent CDC study, nearly 1 in 10 Americans don't take medications as prescribed due to costs. It's a scenario that plays out thousands of times daily across healthcare practices – but it doesn't have to be this way.

Breaking Down the Cost Barrier in Healthcare

Out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses vary wildly depending on insurance plans, pharmacy locations, and available discounts. 30% of prescriptions are never filled, primarily due to cost concerns. When patients can't afford their prescriptions, they often don't tell us – they simply never fill them. The result? Compromised health outcomes and frustrated providers.

What if you could see exactly what your patient would pay before writing that prescription?

Currently, providers are working with a patchwork of solutions:

• Major EHRs like Athena provide partial access to cost data, but only for certain insurers.

  
  

• Most systems require multiple clicks and screens to find basic cost information.

  
  

It's like having a GPS that only works in certain neighborhoods – helpful, but not enough for reliable navigation.

Why Current Solutions Fall Short

According to AMA’s digital health research, healthcare providers face three major hurdles:

1. Incomplete Data: Insurance companies and PBMs aren't always willing to share cost information.

   
   

2. Clunky Integration: Many EHRs treat cost data as an afterthought, not a core feature.

   
   

3. Inconsistent Updates: Cost information can be outdated or inaccurate.

   
   

The Akute Health Difference: Cost Transparency Made Simple

Here's where things get exciting. We've rebuilt the cost-checking experience from the ground up, focusing on eliminating the bottlenecks of this process.

• Real-Time Cost Data: See accurate medication costs instantly, right where you need them.

  
  

• Smart Alternatives: Get automatic suggestions for cost-effective alternatives.

  
  

• Zero Extra Clicks: All the information appears right in your workflow.

  
  

This means:

• Patients are more likely to fill their prescriptions.

  
  

• Trust improves as financial conversations become easier.

  
  

• Treatment plans become more realistic and sustainable.

  
  

Schedule a Free Demo and see how Akute Health can transform your practice.

About Akute Health: We're empowering healthcare by giving providers the tools they need to deliver more informed, cost-effective care. Our EHR platform puts real-time medication costs at your fingertips, because we believe better information leads to better health outcomes.