The Estimated Time & Cost of Developing a Custom EHR/EMR Software from Scratch

Building a custom EHR/EMR application from the ground up is a complex process that requires careful time, cost, and planning management. Whether you are a large organization seeking specialized digital solutions or a healthcare startup, you want to know the projected time and cost. So that there are no unpleasant surprises later on. Every phase of development, from requirement discovery to final deployment, has its budget and timetable.

This blog enables you to make informed decisions that will align with your practice’s objectives and regulatory needs by analyzing the main drivers of the cost and duration of building a custom EHR/EMR system.

Key Factors Influencing Cost and Time

Building a customized EHR/EMR system is not as easy as it sounds. It is difficult, and also you should know that it’s never cheap to build the system from scratch. 

Many factors need to be considered while developing a customized EHR/EMR System. Some of the key factors that influence the cost and time include:

• Complexity of features
• Type of healthcare organization (clinic, hospital, large network)
• Chosen tech stack and architecture
• Regulatory and compliance needs (HIPAA, HL7, FHIR)
• Vendor rates (local vs. offshore)
• Level of customization and integration needs

Related: The Ultimate Guide to EMR/EHR Customization & Integration

Breaking Down the Costs of Custom EHR Development

Here is the cost, time, and phase of building a custom EHR development:

Phase 1: System Design and Software Architecture

For any software development process like building custom EHR, Practice Management, Healthcare CRM, and any others, software engineering is one of the most crucial phases.

A business analyst should interview with the customer and gather all relevant data and needs before creating an architecture design for electronic records software.

• For an experienced software architect, the process of building an EMR or EHR system could take up to 10 to 15 working hours. 
• In the United States, software engineers typically make between $150 and $200 per hour.

The procedure may take longer in some circumstances.

This may occur if a large number of crucial elements are present, including intricate business logic, a long list of technologies that must be used in tandem, etc.

In the United States, the design and architecture of an EHR/EMR system can cost around $2,000 per day; however, this is merely a conservative estimate. You and your vendor should talk about your exact figures, which will depend on the EHR implementation options and techniques you select.

Phase 2: Assembling the Development Team

So, after designing the system and architecture for the EHR system, it is now time to build a development team. The quantity, credentials, and skill level of the developers on your team will determine its cost. It also depends on how long the job takes.

A dedicated software development team consisting of at least three to five developers, including front-end, back-end, and/or full-stack programmers, is typically needed for the full-cycle development of an EMR/EHR system. Project management experts, QA support, and UI/UX designers are also involved.

This kind of project has a minimum duration of six months and a maximum duration of twelve months.

Here’s a very preliminary estimate: 

• The total cost of developing electronic medical record software will probably exceed $100,000 to $200,000 if you engage a U.S.
• EMR software developers at $100 to $200 per hour. 
• Also, if you are planning to build a basic EHR system with basic features, the cost might range from $400,000–$450,000. 
• For an EHR with standard features plus basic features, the cost might vary from $400,000–$800,000. 
• If you are planning to build an advanced EHR system with AI, RPA, Automation, Speech-to-text, blockchain, and other technologies, the cost might range from $600,000–$2,000,000.

Phase 3: Maintenance and Long-term Support

Following the primary development stage, a long-term medical software maintenance service plan can be implemented to address continuous enhancements, updates, continuous code reworking, and the creation of new features in response to your company’s and your medical staff’s changing needs.

Because it enables the vendor to continuously maintain your electronic health records software system at the forefront of technology, the duration is infinite.

This kind of service will cost you between $1,000 and $3,000 per week and calls for a smaller team of one or two engineers, depending on the project’s size and the responsibilities involved.

Related: How a Custom EHR Delivers Long-Term ROI for U.S. Healthcare Businesses

Summary of Time & Cost Estimates

• Project length (estimated): 6–12 months.
• EHR/EMR system project components include patient portals, doctor dashboards, patient electronic records, and many API connectors.
• Team (estimated; may increase or decrease) one project manager, one software engineer, three to five developers, and one or two QA.
• An optional weekly fee of $1,000 to $3,000 for software maintenance is added to the estimated $50,000 to USD 200,000 costs.

CapMinds Custom EHR/EMR Development Solution

CapMinds offers a comprehensive solution designed to create custom EHR/EMR tailored to meet your healthcare practice’s unique requirements.

We are a team of seasoned professionals with extensive expertise in healthcare technology. 

CapMinds’ custom EHR/EMR development services address the specific needs and challenges of healthcare providers across specialties.

• CapMinds develops EHR applications with intuitive interfaces and workflows that align with your practice, ensuring seamless navigation and enhanced efficiency.
• Our solutions include creating robust custom modules for scheduling, patient management, documentation, and reporting, designed to improve operational workflows.
• We also specialize in integrating advanced features such as e-prescriptions, telehealth capabilities, and remote patient monitoring into your custom EHR application.
• Our experts provide end-to-end solutions, including data migration, interoperability, and compliance with healthcare standards like HL7 and FHIR.
• With a focus on security and scalability, our applications are built to support growth while safeguarding sensitive patient data.

Whether you’re looking to build a tailored solution from scratch or need to enhance your current system, CapMinds’ Custom EHR/EMR Development Solution is your trusted partner.

Contact us today to transform your vision into a fully functional, cost-effective EHR application that empowers your healthcare practice to succeed.