From costly implementations and earning top rankings to new or expanded contracts and lawsuits, headlines about Verona, Wis.-based Epic have continued to grab the attention of those in the healthcare industry.
Here are 10 of the most read stories about Epic reported by Becker's Hospital Review in 2017.
Lawsuit: Epic's software double-bills Medicare, Medicaid for anesthesia services
In November, Becker's reported Epic had been hit with a False Claims Act lawsuit that alleged its software double-bills Medicare and Medicaid for anesthesia services, resulting in the government being overbilled by hundreds of millions of dollars. Read more.
Epic, Cerner hold 50% of hospital EHR market share: 8 things to know
KLAS released a report in May that examined acute care EMR purchasing activity in the U.S. from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2016, and found Epic held 25.8 percent of the U.S. acute care hospital market share, with Cerner (24.6 percent) and Meditech (16.6 percent) coming in a close second and third. What's more, 13 of 23 contracts for integrated delivery networks (multi-hospital organizations) went to Epic. Read more.
Dana-Farber's earnings dragged down by Epic EMR billing problems
Boston-based Dana-Farber Cancer Institute reported an operating loss in the third quarter of fiscal year 2017, which ended June 30, citing issues with its Epic EMR that hampered revenue growth. The hospital has lost approximately $25 million due to billing problems since it implemented its Epic EMR in May 2015, Becker's reported in September. Read more.
Temple University Health's $5.7M operating loss anchored by Epic installation
In September, Becker's reported that Philadelphia-based Temple University Health System reported an operating loss in the 12 months ended June 30, largely due to costs associated with the implementation of an Epic EHR. The health system spent more than it expected on staffing costs related to its transition, devoting $15.1 million to staffing needs for the Epic go-live. Read more.
Car crashes into a pole, bringing down Epic EHR at Jefferson Healthcare
A 38-year-old man crashed his car into a utility pole in Poulsbo, Wash., Dec. 31, splitting it in half and causing it to catch fire and burn. This temporarily brought down the Epic EHR system at Port Townsend, Wash.-based Jefferson Healthcare from the afternoon of Dec. 31 until the evening of Jan. 1. Read more.
An 'Epic' win?: 6 highlights from oral arguments in Epic v. Lewis
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in October for a set of cases involving individual employee arbitration, of which Epic took center stage. The EHR provider consolidated with Chicago-based Ernst & Young and El Dorado, Ark.-based Murphy Oil USA in arguing their companies' individual arbitration contracts do not violate the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 and are legal under the Federal Arbitration Act. Read more.
5 things to know about Epic's terminated US Coast Guard contract
The U.S. Coast Guard began its search in May for a new EHR solution to implement across its 176 sites, which have been using paper records since the branch terminated its Epic contract in 2015. Read more.
Epic to develop 2 new EHR versions
In February, Becker's reported Epic was working to develop two new EHR versions, which were slated to be released this year. These additions will bring the number of Epic EHR versions to three: the full Epic EHR, called "all-terrain;" a mid-range Epic EHR with fewer modules, called "utility;" and a slimmed-down Epic EHR, with fewer modules and advanced features, called "Sonnet." Becker's has learned the company plans to make Sonnet available March 2018 as a low-cost, easily implemented solution targeting physician practices and smaller hospitals. Read more.
Epic reveals 'Share Everywhere' interoperability service
Through the Share Everywhere service — which Epic announced in September — a patient will be able to authorize any provider to view his or her medical record from Epic. A provider who is granted access to a patient record will be able to deliver a progress note back to the patient's healthcare organization to ensure continuity of care. Read more.
Epic pranks internet with Tinder-style app
For April Fools Day this year, Epic restructured its homepage to advertise a new product: Epic TinDr. The prank promoted a pretend smartphone app that enabled physicians and patients to select one another with Tinder-style swiping. Read more.
Editor's Note: This article was updated on Dec. 19 at 10:52 a.m. to reflect that the list was curated via most read articles.
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