Choosing the best dermatology EHR is one of the most impactful decisions a skin clinic can make. Generic systems often fall short. This practical buying guide shows you how to evaluate features, workflows, billing, and support—so you can select an EHR built for dermatology.
1) Understand Your Clinic’s Needs
Before comparing vendors, list your must-haves and nice-to-haves. Dermatology practices require tools that general EHRs usually don’t include:
- High-resolution image capture and annotation
- Lesion and body-map tracking over time
- Cosmetic + medical workflows in one system
- Dermatology-specific CPT/IC-10 billing support
2) Must‑Have Features in a Dermatology EHR
- Procedure templates for biopsies, cryotherapy, and excisions
- Before‑and‑after photo comparison and version history
- Cosmetic module for Botox, fillers, lasers, and retail
- Teledermatology with secure patient image sharing
- Cloud access, role‑based permissions, and audit trails
- HIPAA compliance and data encryption in transit/at rest
For a deeper checklist, see 7 Must‑Have EHR Features for Dermatologists.
3) Evaluate Ease of Use & Workflow Fit
Fast, intuitive documentation is critical in dermatology. During demos, ask vendors to show:
- How many clicks it takes to document a common visit
- How templates, shortcuts, and macros are customized
- How images are captured, labeled, and retrieved in seconds
4) Billing, Coding & Claims
Errors in coding can stall revenue. Your dermatology EHR should include:
- Preloaded dermatology CPT/ICD‑10 codes and fee schedules
- Claim scrubbing and payer rules to reduce denials
- Clear separation of medical vs. cosmetic services
5) Interoperability & Security
Confirm support for e‑prescribing, labs, imaging, and secure data exchange with referring providers. Ask about certifications, encryption, backups, and uptime SLAs.
6) Support, Training & Onboarding
Great software needs great support. Evaluate:
- Implementation timeline and training options (live, on‑demand, in‑product)
- Average support response time and escalation process
- Access to a success manager and dermatology‑specific resources
7) Pricing, Contracts & ROI
Compare pricing models (per provider, per user, or per location), included modules, and contract length. Estimate ROI using time saved on documentation, denials reduced, and cosmetic throughput.
8) Demo Checklist (Bring This to Vendor Demos)
- Document a biopsy visit from start to finish (including images)
- Create and retrieve before‑and‑after photos in under 10 seconds
- Code a cosmetic procedure and generate an invoice
- Show telederm intake with patient‑submitted images
- Customize a template and add shortcuts/macros
- Run a claim with scrubbing and see any denial reasons
Conclusion
Choosing the best dermatology EHR isn’t just about checking features. It’s about finding a system that fits real dermatology workflows—fast imaging, accurate coding, and streamlined documentation. With the right platform, clinics improve efficiency, reduce denials, and deliver better patient experiences.
LegendEHR is built specifically for dermatology clinics. If you’re evaluating options, our team can walk you through a tailored demo.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a dermatology EHR different from a generic EHR?
Dermatology EHRs support high‑resolution imaging, lesion tracking, cosmetic and medical workflows, and dermatology‑specific billing—capabilities that generic systems often lack.
What features should I prioritize when choosing a dermatology EHR?
Look for image annotation, procedure templates, before‑and‑after photos, specialty billing tools, teledermatology, and HIPAA‑compliant cloud access.
How much does a dermatology EHR cost?
Pricing varies by vendor and modules. Most use per‑provider or per‑user pricing. Evaluate total cost of ownership and ROI from time saved and denials reduced.
Is a dermatology EHR HIPAA‑compliant?
Reputable platforms should be HIPAA‑compliant, with encryption, role‑based access, and audit trails. Request documentation and security details during evaluation.