athenahealth has long been a dominant force in the healthcare IT market, with a significant share of both the EHR and Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) markets. Their integrated platform, athenaOne, offers a compelling solution for many practices. However, no single solution is perfect for every practice. Whether it’s due to pricing, a desire for more specialized features, or the need for a more modern, AI-native approach, many practices are now exploring alternatives to athenahealth.

This article will explore the top RCM solutions for medical practices seeking an alternative to athenahealth. We will provide a detailed comparison of the leading platforms, helping you identify the best fit to optimize your practice's financial performance.

Top Athenahealth Alternatives

• Why Switch? Practices often seek an athenahealth alternative for a more modern AI platform, higher collection rates, or a simpler, all-in-one system.
• Top Alternative: ENTER is the leading choice, offering a unified, AI-first platform with a 99.6% collection rate and a rapid, 40-day implementation.
• Other Options: Waystar and R1 RCM are also strong contenders, especially for large enterprise clients.
• The Bottom Line: For practices that want to move beyond traditional RCM and embrace full automation, ENTER is the clear winner.

Why Look for an Athenahealth Alternative?

While athenahealth is a powerful platform, there are several reasons why a practice might seek an alternative:

• You want a truly unified system. While athenahealth integrates its EHR and RCM, many practices still find themselves managing a variety of other point solutions for tasks like denial management, patient collections, and contract management. A truly unified platform can eliminate these data silos and streamline operations.
• You want higher collection rates. The industry average for net collections is between 95% and 99%. If you’re not at the top of that range, you’re losing money. An AI-native platform like ENTER can help you maximize your collections by creating perfect claims that are paid on the first submission.
• You want a true AI-native platform. A system built with AI from the ground up, like ENTER, can offer a higher level of automation and intelligence. This means less manual work for your staff and more time to focus on patient care.
• You want more flexible pricing. Some practices find that athenahealth’s pricing and contracts don’t fit their needs. A platform that charges a percentage of collections, like ENTER, can be a more cost-effective option.

Top RCM Alternatives to Athenahealth

1. ENTER: The AI-First Leader

ENTER is quickly becoming the top choice for practices that want to maximize revenue and cut down on administrative work.

• Key Differentiators:
  
  • 99.6% Collection Rate: Get paid the full value of your services.
  • 40-Day Implementation: Get up and running fast with a fully managed onboarding process.
  • Unified Platform: Replaces up to 10 different RCM systems with one solution.
  • AI-Native: Built on an AI framework for unmatched automation.

2. Waystar: The Flexible Powerhouse

Waystar is a great alternative for large practices that need a lot of flexibility.

• Key Features:
  
  • A wide range of modular tools for the entire revenue cycle.
  • Powerful AI and predictive analytics to prevent denials.
  • A large, established company with a proven track record.

3. R1 RCM: The Enterprise Expert

R1 RCM focuses on providing RCM services to large hospitals and health systems.

• Key Features:
  
  • Deep expertise in managing the revenue cycle for large, complex organizations.
  • A mix of technology and expert services to deliver results.
  • One of the largest and most experienced RCM companies in the US.

Quick Comparison: ENTER vs. athenahealth

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing an Alternative

When evaluating athenahealth alternatives, it's important to consider a variety of factors to ensure you choose the best platform for your practice's unique needs.

• Practice Size and Specialty:

• Are you a small, independent practice or a large, multi-specialty group? Some platforms are better suited for smaller practices, while others are designed for large, complex organizations.
• Consider the specific needs of your specialty. For example, a dermatology practice will have different billing requirements than a cardiology practice.

‍

• EHR Integration:

• Does the platform integrate with your existing EHR? A seamless integration is critical for a smooth workflow and to avoid duplicate data entry.
• Some platforms, like ENTER, offer a fully managed, custom integration with any EHR, while others may require more effort from your IT team.

‍

• Pricing Model:

• What is the platform's pricing model? Some vendors charge a percentage of collections, while others charge a flat monthly fee.
• Consider the total cost of ownership, including implementation fees, training fees, and any other hidden costs.

‍

• Implementation and Support:

• How long does the implementation process take? A long, drawn-out implementation can be disruptive to your practice.
• What kind of support does the vendor offer? Look for a vendor that offers responsive, knowledgeable support to help you get the most out of the platform.

‍

• AI and Automation Capabilities:

• How does the platform use AI and automation? Look for a platform that can automate the entire claims process, from creation and submission to denial follow-up and payment posting.
• An AI-native platform, like ENTER, can offer a higher level of automation and intelligence than a platform that has simply added AI features to an existing system.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is it hard to switch from athenahealth to ENTER?

No. ENTER offers a fully managed, 40-day implementation process to ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruption.

How does ENTER’s pricing work?

ENTER typically charges a percentage of collections, so their success is tied to yours. Get a detailed quote on the ENTER pricing page.

What kind of reporting does ENTER offer?

ENTER provides a modern, cloud-based dashboard with powerful business intelligence and reporting tools for real-time insights.

What is the difference between an AI-native platform and an AI-enhanced platform?

An AI-native platform, like ENTER, is built from the ground up with AI at its core. This allows for a deeper level of automation and intelligence. An AI-enhanced platform, on the other hand, has added AI features to an existing system. While this can be beneficial, it may not offer the same level of automation and intelligence as an AI-native platform.

Conclusion: It’s Time for a Change

The RCM world is changing. AI-native platforms like ENTER are leading the way with a new level of automation and efficiency. If you’re tired of the old way of doing things, powerful alternatives are available.

Ready to see what the future of RCM looks like? Request a demo from ENTER today.