September 12, 2025

If your EMR and billing software don’t talk to each other, your staff probably does — about how frustrating it is.

Integration issues are one of the top reasons organizations end up switching billing systems, and it’s not because anyone wants to switch software; at a certain point, all the workarounds, double data entry, and syncing errors just become too much, especially when the software hasn’t evolved in years.

The tipping point varies–smaller teams can manage fine without integration. However, as patient volume or billing complexity grows, disconnected (or outdated) systems can become a bottleneck.

What Integration Problems Really Mean

When we say “integration issues,” we’re not talking about a one-time tech hiccup. We’re talking about everyday and recurring frustrations like:

Manually re-entering patient demographics or insurance info in more than one system because it didn’t transfer from one system to another
Individually uploading or downloading files just to get charges populated properly in all systems
Reporting that doesn’t match between platforms, never guaranteeing certainty in which numbers to trust
Claim submission setbacks because the systems just won’t sync when you need them to

All of this eats up time, adds stress, and slows down the entire revenue cycle.

The Hidden Costs of Poor Integration

It may seem easier to just accept clunky workflows, but the truth is that disconnected systems also come at a steep cost.

Your staff spends hours re-keying data or fixing mismatches that could’ve been avoided entirely. Claims get delayed. Reports are inconsistent. Maybe worst of all, it’s just frustrating! No one wants to spend their day toggling between systems trying to figure out why information didn’t carry over.

This isn’t just anecdotal, it’s a widespread issue. One survey found that 67% of healthcare leaders list integration with other systems as one of the biggest challenges when adopting new technology. Another report points out that healthcare data is often fragmented across multiple systems, which makes it hard to get a full, accurate view of patient care and billing.

When your System Can’t Keep Up

Sometimes the problem isn’t just integration, it’s that your software feels stuck in another decade. The interface is clunky, the workflows are rigid, and there haven’t been meaningful updates in years. It might still “work,” but it’s not working well for how billing needs have evolved.

Modern billing tools aren’t about bells and whistles. They’re about meeting today’s demands: faster claims processing, real-time reporting, and smoother interoperability. If your system hasn’t kept up, it might be holding you back more than you realize.

How to Tell When It’s Time to Move On

Here’s a quick check: if your team is constantly re-entering data or building spreadsheets to fill the gaps, it might be time to reassess your setup.

Workarounds may have helped you get by, but they usually aren’t sustainable. If your systems can’t keep up as your organization and volume grows, that’s a sign that your software isn’t doing its job.

What Good Integration Actually Looks Like

A strong integration means your billing software and your EMR actually work together.

Patient info flows seamlessly and without manual intervention
Charges show up where they should and are accurate across the board
Payments and eligibility data sync automatically
Reporting data is reliable and accurate

It also means less manual work and fewer opportunities for error. The systems are connected, and you’re not stuck in the middle managing the relationship.

Questions to Ask When You’re Evaluating Software

If you’re starting to explore other options (or even just wondering what else is out there), it helps to ask the right questions:

Does this system integrate with your EMR?
What information actually flows between the systems, and how often?
Can you get a walkthrough of how the integration works or an example of a workflow pertinent to your business?

Even if you’re not ready to switch, getting clarity on what you should expect from integration can help you make better decisions down the line.

Final Thought: Don’t Settle for Patchwork

It’s tempting to keep patching things together, but at a certain point, patchwork turns into paperwork That’s not what anyone signed up for.

Integration isn’t always essential, but when your scale outgrows your software, it impacts efficiency and accuracy.

If integration problems are slowing you down, you’re not alone–and you’re not out of options.

Whether or not OpenPM ends up being the right fit for your team, we believe every billing platform should make your life easier — not more complicated. Integration isn’t a luxury anymore. It’s just good sense.

Doing Double Data Entry? Signs Your Billing Integration is Broken