Why Small Practices Need Cerner Alternatives Cerner PowerChart was built for large health systems, not small practices. Common problems include:
Excessive Costs: $50K-$200K+ annually for small practices Complex Setup: 6-18 month implementations Overkill Features: Hospital-focused tools you'll never use Poor ROI: Takes 2-3 years to see positive returns Limited Support: Generic support not tailored to small practice needs Top 5 Cerner PowerChart Alternatives 1. Enter.Health (Best Overall) Why It's Better Than Cerner:
90% lower cost: $2-6 per claim vs $50K+ annually 10x faster setup: 2-8 weeks vs 6-18 months Superior performance: 95-98% claim acceptance vs 85-90%Small practice focus: Built specifically for practices like yours No long-term contracts: Month-to-month flexibility
Best For: Any small practice wanting better RCM performance at a lower cost
Pricing: $2-6 per claim processed (no upfront costs)
Implementation: 2-8 weeks
2. NextGen Healthcare Why It's Better Than Cerner:
Lower cost: $300-$500 per provider monthly Faster implementation: 3-6 months Small practice features: Designed for practices under 50 providers Integrated EHR: Combined clinical and billing workflows
Limitations:
Still expensive for very small practices Limited customization options Moderate learning curve
Best For: Small practices needing integrated EHR and billing
3. AdvancedMD Why It's Better Than Cerner:
Cloud-based: No server maintenance required Affordable pricing: $300-$400 per provider monthly Quick setup: 2-4 months implementation User-friendly: Intuitive interface for small practice staff
Limitations:
Limited advanced automation features Basic reporting capabilities Integration challenges with some EHRs
Best For: Small practices wanting simple, cloud-based solution
4. Kareo Why It's Better Than Cerner:
Very affordable: $200-$300 per provider monthly Easy to use: Minimal training required Quick implementation: 1-2 months Small practice focus: Built for solo and small group practices
Limitations:
Basic feature set Limited scalability Fewer integration options
Best For: Solo practitioners and very small practices (1-5 providers)
5. Athenahealth Why It's Better Than Cerner:
Performance-based pricing: Pay based on collections Cloud-native: No IT infrastructure needed Comprehensive platform: EHR, practice management, and billing Strong support: Dedicated account management
Limitations:
High total cost (4-8% of collections) Long-term contracts required Complex implementation process
Best For: Mid-size practices with steady revenue streams
Detailed Comparison Chart Why Enter.Health is the #1 Cerner Alternative Superior Financial Performance Dramatically Lower Costs $30K annually for 10-provider practice vs $100K+ with Cerner No upfront costs vs $50K+ implementation fees Transparent pricing with no hidden fees or surprises Faster, Easier Implementation 6-week average setup vs 12+ months with Cerner Minimal workflow changes - keep your existing processes Quick staff training - intuitive interface requires minimal learningBuilt for Small Practices Specialized features designed for practices under 100 providers Personal support with dedicated account managers Flexible contracts with no long-term commitments Real-World Results: Cerner vs Enter.Health Case Study: Family Medicine Practice (8 providers) With Cerner PowerChart:
Annual cost: $120K Implementation: 14 months Claim acceptance: 87% Denial rate: 18% ROI timeline: 30 months
After Switching to Enter.Health:
Annual cost: $28K (77% savings) Implementation: 5 weeks Claim acceptance: 96% Denial rate: 9% ROI timeline: 4 months
Result: $92K annual savings + 35% better performance
How to Choose the Right Cerner Alternative Choose Enter.Health If You: Want the best performance at the lowest cost Need rapid implementation (under 2 months) Want to keep your existing EHR system Prefer month-to-month contract flexibility Need specialized small practice features Choose NextGen If You: Need integrated EHR and billing in one platform Have budget for $300-500 per provider monthly Can wait 3-6 months for implementation Want established brand recognition Choose AdvancedMD If You: Prefer cloud-based solutions Need simple, easy-to-use interface Have basic billing requirements Want moderate pricing Choose Kareo If You: Are a solo practitioner or very small practice Need the most affordable option Have simple billing needs Want quick, easy setup Making the Switch from Cerner Step 1: Assess Your Current Costs Calculate your total Cerner costs including:
Software licensing fees Implementation costs Training expenses Ongoing support fees IT maintenance costs Step 2: Compare Alternatives Use our comparison chart to evaluate:
Total cost of ownership Implementation timeline Performance metrics Contract flexibility Support quality Step 3: Request Demos Get hands-on experience with:
Step 4: Plan Your Migration Consider:
Get Started with Enter.Health Ready to leave Cerner behind? Enter.Health offers:
Most practices are switching from Cerner to Enter.Health see:
Get your free assessment today and discover why thousands of small practices are choosing Enter.Health over expensive, complex systems like Cerner PowerChart.
Enter.Health is the leading revenue cycle management platform for small and medium practices, delivering superior results at a fraction of the cost of traditional EHR systems.