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The Growing Importance of EHR Software

Healthcare organizations today rely heavily on digital technologies to improve patient care, streamline operations, and maintain compliance. One of the most important investments for any medical practice is selecting the right EHR platform that supports both clinical and administrative workflows efficiently.

An advanced EHR Software helps providers manage patient records, appointment scheduling, billing, e-prescriptions, charting, and communication from a single platform. As healthcare practices continue to evolve, the demand for scalable and user-friendly EHR solutions is growing rapidly across hospitals, clinics, and specialty practices.

Key Features of a Modern EHR Solution

Modern healthcare providers require more than just digital documentation. A reliable EHR solution should improve workflow efficiency, reduce paperwork, minimize errors, and support better patient engagement. Cloud-based systems, AI-powered tools, interoperability features, and integrated billing capabilities are becoming essential components of today’s healthcare technology environment.

The right EHR Platform also plays a major role in enhancing provider productivity. Features such as automated charting, customizable templates, telehealth integration, and patient portals allow medical staff to spend less time on administrative tasks and more time delivering quality care.

Choosing Among the Top EHR Software Vendors

Healthcare organizations carefully evaluate the Top EHR Software vendors before making a decision. When comparing the Best EHR Software providers, practices often consider factors such as ease of use, specialty-specific features, compliance support, implementation assistance, and customer service.

Scalability is another critical factor, especially for growing practices that need technology capable of adapting to changing operational demands. Several Leading EHR Software providers are now integrating artificial intelligence, analytics, and revenue cycle management features to help practices optimize performance and improve financial outcomes.

Why Integrated Healthcare Platforms Matter

Today, many Popular EHR Software vendors focus on creating comprehensive healthcare ecosystems that combine electronic health records, practice management, patient engagement, and billing into one unified solution. This integrated approach helps reduce operational complexity and improves communication between providers and patients.

Conclusion

Implementing an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system is a crucial step for healthcare practices aiming to improve efficiency, patient care, and financial performance. A well-developed EHR system helps providers manage patient records, streamline workflows, reduce administrative burdens, and ensure compliance with healthcare regulations. Successful EHR implementation requires careful planning, the right technology partner, and continuous support.

Understanding EHR Implementation

EHR implementation is the process of deploying a digital system that replaces traditional paper records and disconnected workflows. It involves setting up patient documentation, scheduling, billing, e-prescribing, lab integrations, reporting, and communication tools within one centralized platform.

The goal of implementation is not just to install software but to create a seamless workflow that improves productivity and enhances the patient experience. A properly implemented EHR helps healthcare organizations reduce errors, improve clinical decision-making, and maintain accurate patient data.

Key Steps in EHR Development and Implementation

1. Practice Assessment and Planning

Before implementation begins, healthcare organizations must evaluate their current workflows, pain points, and operational needs. This includes identifying specialty-specific requirements, provider preferences, and compliance needs.

A customized implementation plan ensures the EHR system aligns with the practice’s goals and avoids unnecessary disruptions during the transition.

2. System Customization and Integration

Every medical practice operates differently. EHR development includes customizing templates, clinical workflows, reporting dashboards, and billing processes based on the specialty and size of the practice.

Integration with labs, pharmacies, imaging centers, telehealth tools, and patient portals is also essential for creating a connected healthcare environment.

3. Data Migration and Security

Migrating patient records from legacy systems or paper files into the new EHR must be handled carefully to avoid data loss or duplication. Security protocols such as HIPAA compliance, role-based access, encryption, and backup systems are critical during this phase.

A secure EHR protects sensitive patient information while maintaining accessibility for authorized staff.

4. Training and Go-Live Support

Staff training is one of the most important parts of successful implementation. Providers, front-desk teams, billers, and administrators must understand how to use the system efficiently.

Go-live support ensures smooth adoption by resolving technical issues quickly and minimizing workflow interruptions.

Why the Right EHR Partner Matters

Choosing the right EHR vendor significantly impacts long-term success. A reliable partner offers implementation guidance, customization, ongoing support, and scalable solutions that grow with the practice.

PrognoCIS EHR is designed to simplify implementation with specialty-specific workflows, cloud-based access, AI-powered charting, integrated billing, telemedicine, and patient engagement tools. Its structured onboarding and support help practices transition smoothly while improving both clinical and financial outcomes.

Conclusion

Healthcare is rapidly evolving, and digital tools are playing a major role in improving patient engagement and practice efficiency. One of the most valuable tools for modern healthcare systems is the online patient portal. These secure platforms allow patients to access their health information anytime and communicate with providers more conveniently.

Patient portals have become an essential part of healthcare management because they improve transparency, reduce administrative burden, and create a better patient experience.

What is an Online Patient Portal?

An online patient portal is a secure digital platform connected to a healthcare provider’s Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. It allows patients to access important medical information through a web browser or mobile device.

Patients can typically use portals to view lab results, schedule appointments, request prescription refills, pay bills, review treatment plans, and send secure messages to their healthcare providers.

This self-service access improves convenience while helping providers maintain organized and efficient communication.

Key Benefits of Online Patient Portals

Improved Patient Engagement

When patients have direct access to their health records, they become more involved in their care journey. They can better understand diagnoses, medications, and treatment plans, which supports better health outcomes.

Better Communication

Secure messaging features allow patients to communicate with providers without needing multiple phone calls. This improves response times and strengthens provider-patient relationships.

Reduced Administrative Work

Front desk staff spend less time handling appointment scheduling, billing inquiries, and refill requests because patients can manage many of these tasks independently through the portal.

Faster Access to Information

Patients no longer need to wait for paper records or callback updates. Test results, visit summaries, and billing statements are available quickly and securely.

Enhanced Data Security

Modern patient portals follow strict HIPAA compliance standards, ensuring that sensitive medical information remains protected while still being easily accessible to authorized users.

Features to Look for in a Patient Portal

A strong patient portal should offer easy navigation, mobile accessibility, appointment scheduling, secure messaging, bill payment options, prescription refill requests, telehealth integration, and real-time access to medical records.

Integration with the practice’s EHR system is especially important because it ensures accurate and updated patient information across all departments.

Conclusion

Online patient portals are no longer optional for healthcare systems—they are a necessity for improving patient satisfaction, operational efficiency, and overall care quality. They help practices deliver faster service while empowering patients to take an active role in their healthcare.

Enterprise electronic health record (EHR) systems serve as the operational backbone for large healthcare organizations, integrating clinical care, financial performance, compliance, and leadership visibility.

Implementing an enterprise EHR creates a centralized, scalable foundation for data governance, interoperability, revenue integration, and performance management.

Large healthcare systems need more than basic EHR functionality. They require purpose-built enterprise IT solutions that deliver scalability, interoperability, and advanced workflows without compromising clinician efficiency.

What Is Enterprise EHR Software?

Standard EHR software captures patient care documentation and billing data for claims submission. While sufficient for small practices, large healthcare systems and multi-specialty organizations need a unified enterprise EHR platform to manage complex workflows, multiple entities, and high data volumes in real time.

Enterprise EHR Software provides:

Multi-entity and multi-location architecture

Centralized governance with segmented access

Real-time data synchronization across facilities

Advanced reporting and analytics

API-first interoperability ecosystems

Enterprise EHRs provide a connected infrastructure that scales with organizational growth, rather than functioning as isolated systems.

According to one recent study, physicians spend an average of 4.5 hours per day on the same task: completing electronic health records. Imagine what you could do if you had an extra 4.5 hours every day (or about 22 hours per week) to spend directly attending to patients.

Based on that, it’s no surprise that the electronic health records solution market size is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.7% every year between now and 2032. Sophisticated EHR and EMR platforms like PrognoCIS are designed to help address issues like these and more.

All the best electronic medical records software companies promise to help you do more with less. They help you take the electronic records that are already better than their paper-based alternatives and use them to craft better practices.

Technology moves quickly – especially in a field as fast-paced as healthcare. The needs of patients are evolving rapidly, as are their expectations regarding what their healthcare providers should be able to do for them.

All that is to say that the list of the best electronic medical records companies may vary wildly from one year to the next as organizations embrace change in different ways.

Electronic health record (EHR) systems have more responsibility than ever: meeting interoperability mandates, integrating AI tools, and even safeguarding critical data from threats such as ransomware. Security breaches pose significant consequences, with audits and fines merely the tip of the iceberg compared to ongoing reputational harm.  

Given these risks, EHR compliance is a board-level mandate for chief information officers (CIOs). This EHR compliance checklist for CIOs simplifies complex compliance requirements, helping select a system that streamlines operations and enhances long-term data security. 

What Does EHR Compliance Mean in 2026? 

In 2026, CIOs must address EHR regulatory compliance with Medicare preauthorization, updated Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) standards, and stricter interoperability requirements. 

The healthcare industry is currently grappling with several significant challenges

1. Access to Healthcare

Healthcare access issues are by far one of the biggest issues facing our society today – not only in terms of the well-being of patients, but in terms of how effectively providers can do their jobs as well.

Healthcare equity is essential because the healthier we are as a society, the more productive we are. People lead more fulfilling lives and last longer. They perform better at work and contribute to overall growth and prosperity. Healthcare issues have always existed, but especially when it comes to things like income inequality, this gap needs to be filled as soon as possible moving forward.

2. Workforce Shortages

In healthcare today, widespread shortage of the healthcare workforce is a significant issue. This is a current healthcare issue that has slowly been getting worse over the last decade. It’s actually a problem that many industries are facing, with the trucking industry and information technology being two prominent examples.

It’s not just that there aren’t enough physicians around to treat patients. It’s that we lack people in certain specialties – particularly in those that focus on more preventative healthcare as opposed to reactive topics. There are also skills gaps and labor shortages for nurses and even allied health workers.

Healthcare workforce shortages not only exacerbate  healthcare access issues, but they also lead to provider burnout as well. These staffing challenges also make it difficult for virtually anyone to run a successful practice. If you don’t have enough employees, the volume of work you’re able to accomplish doesn’t just suffer. The quality of that work suffers, too. That’s especially bad when, in this case, “work” involves offering lifesaving care to people.

Practice managers are familiar with the complexities of healthcare IT in large practices. The right enterprise EHR system should offer efficiency, scalability, revenue opportunities, and a positive patient experience while meeting the needs for healthcare compliance and security. That’s a tall order, and 60% of practices say outdated IT systems limit their performance.

Is your current IT setup helping or hindering you? It’s time to conduct an assessment of your systems and determine how to leverage your IT as a tool for growth. 

Why Large Medical Practices Face Unique IT Challenges

Managing large medical practices means juggling multiple tasks simultaneously. Clinical workflow optimization is always the top priority for practice administrators. But large practices face additional challenges:

Multi-location complexity: Practices with multiple offices must manage numerous appointment calendars and staffing schedules, while also overseeing operations at all sites to ensure they are fully stocked with the appropriate supplies.

Diverse specialties and workflows: Multi-specialty practices must ensure each provider has the necessary equipment and nursing support, and that patients receive clear, timely, and accurate communication about appointments and procedures.

High patient volume: Large practices see dozens or hundreds of patients each week, with a high demand for telehealth and remote care tech. Each appointment entails patient notes, claims to submit, referrals to generate, and follow-up care to schedule, all of which are critical to delivering quality care.

The 2026 healthcare IT landscape is in flux. Artificial intelligence and evolving compliance requirements are pushing providers to explore new technologies. Enterprise-grade electronic health records (EHRs) are among the most critical solutions available because they allow for seamless interoperability. With so much change on the horizon, now is the time to research your options and ensure you find the enterprise EHR software that best fits your needs.

Start by reviewing a breakdown of the most important EHR features and comparing popular providers.

What Is Enterprise EHR?

Large healthcare facilities use enterprise EHR to manage their medical, financial, and operational data. It's more comprehensive than the standard EHR smaller practices use, and it's suited for large, multi-location providers.

Another critical difference between enterprise EHRs vs. standard EHRs is the advanced features that enable improved data governance and role-based access. These capabilities keep patient information secure and are essential for scaling organizations.

Electronic health record (EHR) software is a crucial tool for many healthcare providers, allowing them to connect with patients, share sensitive information, and maintain better quality of care. However, EHR budgeting can be challenging, particularly when first installing or upgrading your system.  

Learn what goes into EHR budgeting and how to avoid common errors. You’ll also get insights into selecting a vendor and when you can expect to see your return on investment (ROI). 

EHR Market: What’s Changing in 2026  

The global EHR market has experienced dramatic growth in recent years, with experts projecting it will reach $45.9 billion by 2033, up from $27.1 billion in 2023. 

At the same time, advancements in technology, expanded capabilities, and new regulatory requirements drive cost changes. Many organizations have begun migrating their data storage to the cloud, which has a different pricing structure. In addition, enhanced interoperability and advanced features, such as AI EHR, have led to pricing changes and increased system efficiency.  

Cost Components To Include in Your EHR Budget 

When developing your budget, EHR software pricing is one piece of a puzzle that includes: 

Software licensing and subscription fees  

Hardware and infrastructure, including servers, devices, and networking  

Implementation and setup, including configuration, data migration, and interfaces  

Customization and specialty workflows  

Training and onboarding  

Maintenance and upgrades  

Compliance, including security and regulatory overhead  

Indirect or hidden costs of EHR, including productivity loss, change management, support, and backups  

Your EHR implementation cost breakdown should include both initial and long-term expenses throughout the system’s lifecycle.  

Enterprise EHR Software That Powers Scalable Healthcare Growth Managing a large healthcare organization requires more than just basic digital record-keeping. As practices expand, multi-site operations, specialty-specific workflows, and high-volume patient care demand a powerful, scalable, and technology-driven EHR platform. This is where an Enterprise EHR system becomes essential for achieving efficiency, consistency, and improved clinical decision-making across the entire network.

Centralized Data and Standardized Clinical Workflows

Enterprise EHR software is built to handle complex operational needs, offering centralized access, seamless interoperability, and robust security features. It helps consolidate patient data, streamline communication, and ensure that every facility—from primary care to specialty departments - follows standardized, compliant workflows. This level of coordination not only improves provider productivity but also enhances the overall patient experience.

Efficient Support for Multi-Location Operations

One of the biggest advantages of an enterprise-level EHR is its ability to support multi-location practices. Through unified dashboards and shared patient records, healthcare organizations can maintain real-time visibility of appointments, billing, clinical updates, and performance analytics. This ensures consistency in care delivery while eliminating duplicate tasks and reducing manual errors.

Interoperability That Enhances Care Coordination

Advanced enterprise EHR solutions also integrate with a wide range of healthcare systems, such as lab platforms, imaging centers, pharmacies, and telemedicine tools. This interoperability enables providers to access complete patient histories instantly, leading to faster diagnoses, improved treatment planning, and coordinated care. For organizations with diverse specialties, customizable templates and specialty-specific modules help streamline charting and enhance documentation accuracy.

Enterprise-Grade Security and Compliance

Security is another critical element of enterprise EHR systems. With increasing cyber threats targeting healthcare data, organizations need platforms that offer encrypted data storage, role-based access, audit tracking, and regular compliance updates. A well-designed enterprise EHR ensures that sensitive patient information remains protected while meeting HIPAA and industry standards.

Analytics, Automation, and Long-Term Growth

In addition, enterprise EHR software provides capabilities like population health management, workflow automation, analytics, and performance reporting. These features help organizations track clinical outcomes, understand patient trends, and make data-driven decisions that support long-term growth. By automating repetitive processes and simplifying administrative tasks, clinical teams can spend more time focusing on patient care.

Conclusion

Electronic health records (EHRs) are crucial for managing healthcare in the digital age, but they come with challenges. Many systems available on the market are more complex than they are efficient, and the effort required to troubleshoot tech issues while treating patients can contribute to physician burnout. Additionally, compliance hurdles when sharing records digitally limit your software choices. Fortunately, recent developments in AI in electronic health records make it possible to overcome these challenges.

For successful implementation, it's essential to choose a partner with sufficient industry experience in both AI and EHRs. As a trusted leader in healthcare IT, PrognoCIS can help you update your practice management strategy by bringing AI-optimized EHRs directly to you.

What Is the State of EHRs Today?

An outdated EHR system can be more trouble than it’s worth, especially when it gets in the way of workflow efficiency. Not only does it increase the likelihood of documentation errors, but it also reduces patient satisfaction. Furthermore, you may see an uptick in workplace fatigue as your staff juggles patient care and charting tasks. Combined, these issues will negatively impact your bottom line.

Physicians, the backbone of any medical practice, are hindered by outdated EHR systems. With 77% of physicians reporting EHR-related burnout, the limitations of traditional EHRs can become a significant source of stress for both clinicians and administrators. These are the most common problems that lead to burnout.

Usability

Many EHRs are outfitted with overly complex user interfaces, which can disrupt workflows and contribute to input errors. An ideal EHR should feature an intuitive, easy-to-navigate dashboard that’s designed for quick data retrieval.

Data Silos

An EHR lacking interoperability often results in data silos, making it difficult to share information between different providers, departments, or locations. This can impact everything from e-prescriptions and routine labs to insurance claims and reimbursements.

Compliance

Due to the sensitive nature of patient data, EHRs must be HIPAA-compliant. Some organizations may not be able to move on from outdated systems if the available upgrades lack sufficient privacy controls.

Complexity

EHRs have many advanced features that are useful in the healthcare space but mastering them requires specialized training in addition to their other duties. Unfortunately, adopting an EHR with too many unnecessary features may result in staff resistance or the need for additional resources.

How Is AI Transforming EHRs?

PwC reports that AI's addressable market share in healthcare will more than double from 15% to over 30% by 2030 — and the market is projected to reach $868B. AI in electronic health records is becoming an important factor in running a profitable healthcare business.

Core AI EHR capabilities include:

Natural language processing in EHR for faster charting

Predictive analytics for proactive care

Automated workflows for admin efficiency

Intelligent clinical decision support (AI-driven alerts & recommendations)

Selecting the right Electronic Health Record (EHR) software is one of the most crucial decisions for any small medical practice. With a growing number of top EHR software providers offering a wide range of solutions, finding the right fit can be challenging. The key lies in understanding your practice’s needs and choosing an EHR that enhances efficiency, compliance, and patient care.

Key Factors to Consider

Scalability and CustomizationAn advanced EHR for small practice should be flexible enough to grow with your clinic. Look for features that allow customization for your specialty, workflow, and patient volume.

Ease of Use and AccessibilityWeb-based EHR software enables secure access from anywhere, reducing dependency on in-house servers. This accessibility is vital for small practices that operate on limited resources and staff.

Cost-EffectivenessSmaller practices often work on tighter budgets. Compare pricing models offered by the best EHR vendors, focusing on subscription-based cloud-based EHR software that minimizes upfront hardware and maintenance costs.

Integration and ComplianceEnsure that the system integrates smoothly with billing, scheduling, and e-prescription tools. Compliance with HIPAA and other healthcare regulations is non-negotiable.

AI and AutomationThe use of AI in EHR software is transforming how practices manage documentation and patient engagement. Automation reduces manual errors and improves overall workflow efficiency.

Why Choose PrognoCIS EHR and PrognoAI

PrognoCIS EHR, developed by Bizmatics, is designed specifically for practices seeking simplicity, scalability, and reliability. It offers both cloud-based and web-based EHR software options, ensuring flexibility for different practice sizes. The platform supports specialty-specific templates, integrated telemedicine, and advanced billing modules — ideal for small practices aiming to streamline daily operations.

Taking innovation a step further, PrognoAI, the AI-powered extension of PrognoCIS, enhances decision support, predicts patient needs, and automates repetitive administrative tasks. This fusion of technology and intelligence empowers physicians to focus more on patient care and less on paperwork.

Every medical practice experiencing growth will eventually have to scale its EHR system to meet the demands of expansion. If you’re not already working with an enterprise electronic health record, your practice is likely to encounter scalability issues, especially in today’s digital landscape. The COVID-19 pandemic led to explosive growth within the healthcare industry, accelerating acquisitions while redefining what patient care entails. Today, the public expects digital healthcare solutions, such as telehealth and electronic prescriptions, in addition to timely treatment from both small and large practices. It’s essential to prioritize centralized EHR management if you plan to grow your business.

Understanding the Need for Scalable EHR Systems

EHR scalability refers to a system’s ability to meet the demands of a growing healthcare business. Electronic health records for large practices analyze massive datasets, facilitate lightning-fast communication, and demonstrate a high degree of flexibility. Meanwhile, single-location EHR models tend to break down as clinics expand due to incomplete patient data. Delays in communication and treatments are common when different locations rely on separate EHR systems, which then contribute to operational inefficiency and poor patient satisfaction.

The healthcare landscape is evolving quickly, and providers need to prepare for the next generation of technology. EHR software is no longer just a tool for storing patient files—it is becoming an intelligent platform that improves workflow efficiency, patient engagement, and clinical outcomes. Adopting the right solution today will help practices stay competitive tomorrow.

Interoperability is Key for Advanced EMR Systems

A modern EMR system must seamlessly exchange information across labs, pharmacies, and hospitals. Interoperability saves time, reduces data errors, and ensures patients receive coordinated care. As standards like FHIR and HL7 mature, practices will benefit from EMR systems designed for smooth integration.

Specialty-Specific Workflows in Electronic Medical Records Software

Healthcare providers are looking for electronic medical records software that adapts to their unique specialties. Dermatologists, cardiologists, and behavioral health clinics need flexible templates and user-friendly tools. Specialty-focused design reduces administrative tasks and allows providers to focus on delivering quality care.

Security and Mobility with Modern EMR Software

Cloud-based EMR software has become the standard for practices seeking flexibility and secure access. Providers can log in from any location while robust encryption, audit trails, and compliance features safeguard sensitive patient data. Cloud technology also simplifies updates and maintenance.

Smarter Care Through Electronic Health Record Software

The future of electronic health record software includes artificial intelligence and advanced analytics. Features like predictive alerts, decision support, and performance dashboards help clinicians make informed choices and improve patient outcomes. Smarter tools will also support value-based care initiatives.

Engaging Patients with Medical EHR Software

Patients now expect user-friendly tools such as telehealth visits, online scheduling, and secure messaging. Medical EHR software that integrates these features strengthens provider-patient relationships and reduces missed appointments. Improved engagement leads to better health outcomes and higher satisfaction rates.

Streamlining Operations with Top EMR Systems

Efficient workflows are essential for growing practices. Top EMR systems provide built-in billing, scheduling, and reporting features that reduce administrative work and improve financial performance. Choosing the right platform can streamline operations and free up more time for patient care.

Scalable Solutions with Medical EMR Software

Practices need medical EMR software that can scale with their growth. Whether managing a small clinic or a multi-location healthcare group, scalable solutions ensure smooth transitions and consistent performance. Future-ready systems support expansion without disrupting care delivery.

Simplifying Record Management Using Medical Records Software

Managing patient data efficiently is critical for compliance and care quality. Medical records software offers organized, accessible records while maintaining privacy standards. This simplifies audits, improves communication, and keeps patient histories accurate and up to date.

Future-Ready Platforms from Top EHR Systems

Healthcare providers evaluating top EHR systems should prioritize innovation, usability, and customer support. Vendors who consistently update their features and align with emerging trends will help practices adapt to changes in regulations and patient expectations.

Why PrognoCIS EHR Stands Out

Electronic health records, or EHR for short, bring with them a wide range of benefits that would have been unthinkable even as recently as 20 years ago. By acting as a single source of “truth” for patient information, they make it easier for multiple medical providers to collaborate on the same case. They’re fully digital, so they’re far more efficient than paper-based records. They’re more accurate and they help increase revenue. The list goes on and on.

But for as impressive as electronic health records already are, keep in mind that they’re still continuing to evolve all the time as the surrounding technology does the same. In fact, there are a number of ways in which EHR solutions will continue to improve in 2025 that are certainly worth a closer look.

About the EHR Global Market

According to one recent study, the global EHR market was valued at an impressive $29.395 billion in 2021. That number is expected to grow to an enormous $47.6 billion by as soon as 2030, representing an annual growth rate of 5.5% during that time. So not only is EHR software already extremely popular among both medical professionals and their patients – it’s only going to get more so as time goes on.

Top EHR Technology Innovations

While the earliest electronic health record software solutions were essentially just virtual databases for patient information, things have changed for the better in recent years. Leading EHR software companies and solutions like PrognoCIS (to name one example) have expanded their scope to also include not only practice management functionality, but also patient engagement, e-faxing, e-prescribing, and more.

Medical record retention is a key component of providing quality care to patients, maintaining their trust, and meeting compliance requirements. Having a retention schedule ensures your healthcare practice is doing what it needs to do for data security, organization, and sensitive information protection. 

Various factors impact medical records retention, including the patient’s age and where you operate. Many states have specific laws governing the rules for medical records storage. Also, laws change. The recent updates to the False Claims Act (FCA) make it beneficial for some providers to keep records longer. Here’s what you need to know. 

How Long Are Medical Records Kept?

The general retention timeframe for most people is 7 to 10 years from the date of the patient’s last appointment. This can be longer for minors, often up to 10 years after their 18th birthday. 

This includes all electronic and paper records that contain any of the following types of medical data or other sensitive information for patients. 

Private medical details for the patient 

Treatment plans or services 

Clinical notes for the patient 

Medical history 

Lab results 

Diagnosis 

It’s important to note that many associations recommend maintaining some records indefinitely. For example, it is best to maintain mental health records indefinitely to preserve important factors that could contribute to future needs. Cancer treatment records, or other types of specific disease treatment, may also be beneficial to maintain since they can provide insight to providers on how to effectively monitor and treat some forms of cancer.