IPHCA Answers the Top Questions about e-net

Q: Wouldn't it be cheaper for my center to implement electronic health records on our own? 

A:  No!  The cost savings offered by participating in e-net can’t be beat!

IPHCA’s health information network is currently the largest FQHC enterprise health information network in Illinois, representing significant economies of scale for participants. The e-net network offers a fully integrated solution comprised of NextGen® Healthcare Information Systems’ Enterprise Practice Management (EPM) and Electronic Health Records (EHR) products, which dovetail with the Electronic Dental Records (EDR) product of NextGen’s parent company, Quality Systems, Incorporated.

As part of the e-net network, you’ll benefit from the funding that is available for collaborations – funding you would not be eligible to apply for independently. To date, IPHCA has received $4.1 million for the e-net health information system, and 100% of these funds is being used to directly off-set costs for participants.

Start Up Costs - IPHCA has financed the hefty fees for initial hardware, software, and start-up costs that would be borne by each health center if implementing EPM/EHR/EDR independently.

Ongoing Maintenance Costs - Once EPM/EHR/EDR is implemented, there are still significant perpetual costs that are required to maintain the system. For e-net participants, these ongoing support costs are shared equitably by all members, achieving cost efficiencies. Additional funding received by IPHCA will be used to off-set these fees even further.

The “Extras” – IPHCA is providing many added benefits for e-net participants, including subject matter expertise (contracted consultant), dedicated project support staff, redundancies in the infrastructure that supports the system, on-site implementation support, help desk support, and training. These services represent thousands of dollars in savings that a health center would pay out of pocket if implementing EPM/EHR/EDR on their own.

Add it Up! Regardless of the size of your health center, the cost efficiencies of joining e-net are significant! In fact, one of the most significant benefits to Illinois’ community health centers who join the e-net network are the extensive cost savings over implementing EPM/EHR/EDR independently. Based on a cost comparison for a health center with 14 providers, e-net membership results in:

• 127% savings on initial system purchase (including hardware)
• 9.7 % savings on annual maintenance
• 47% savings on staffing/training costs

No wonder so many Illinois health centers are joining the e-net network! And IPHCA will continue to seek funding to allow future health centers the same, if not greater, savings.

This information is based on current funding levels, agreements, and plans, and is subject to change.