Electronic Health Records For Dummies

Picking “the one”

After you tabulate the scores and determine the best fit for your practice, communicate your decision to each vendor. At this time, all but your top choice may offer you a better deal, negotiate special discounts, and bargain for another opportunity to get your business.

Figure 6-3: An EHR vendor evaluation tool.

Allowing your top choices to one-up each other with better offers is tempting; however, trust your processes and the hard work you and your team just completed, and stick with your decision.

Nonetheless, document any new offerings or price breaks the runners-up offer because this information might be valuable during contract negotiations with your number one choice.

If you feel that there’s still a good amount of negotiation that needs to happen before you sign on the dotted line with your preferred vendor — whether it’s due to services or cost — then don’t show all of your cards until it’s the right time. It adds additional burden and coordination to your EHR selection process, so do this only if you feel that it’s essential to get the terms you’re seeking.

Inform Vendor A that it’s your vendor of choice and that you’re moving forward with contract negotiations, but still have a few items to iron out before you’re ready to commit fully. Inform Vendor ...