Doctor-Led ACOs Say Third Party Vendors Need to Augment EHRs

Third-party ACO vendors are outperforming EHR vendors when it comes to meeting the needs of physician-led ACOs. This and other key findings were released in the latest report from healthcare technology research firm KLAS.


Third-party ACO vendors are outperforming EHR vendors when it comes to meeting the needs of physician-led ACOs. This and other key findings were released in the latest report from healthcare technology research firm KLAS.

“With very few exceptions, EHRs are not meeting all ACO needs, causing many third-party products to be invited to the ACO discussion,” report author Erik Bermudez said. “As we look at where healthcare is headed and the rapid growth in the number of physician-led ACOs, we see that this area will only increase in importance. We want to put a spotlight on the enabling technology within these ACOs.”

As part of this study, KLAS interviewed 46 ACOs about their software. Providers gave feedback on product usage and performance as well as the products’ abilities to meet certain ACO needs. The report includes products from Advisory Board, Allscripts, eClinicalWorks, Epic, GE Healthcare, Medecision, Milliman, NextGen, Optum, and Phytel.