Home Forums Discussions General Discussion Input from those using 6.5.6

Hello,
I was hoping to get some input from those who upgraded to the new version (6.5.6). Did you have any problems during the install? Did you have AC Tech Support perform the install, or did you do so yourself? Were there any issues afterwards? I'm asking because I beta tested 6.5.5 on my test PC (home computer), then installed 6.5.6...and I encountered a bunch of problems. I won't rule out the possibility that something else caused my system to act up. I uninstalled AC completely, along with SQL Server 2012, rebooted a few times, then reinstalled, and all seems ok. I just want a little reassurance before recommending the upgrade to my boss.

Thanks,
Dean

Dean,

We have done client 6.5.6 installs, and none of them have failed, but none of them have been a turnkey walk in the park.

If you are going forward (having already validated that everything has been brought current and to spec), I'd suggest a Thursday night implementation. If things go sideways you only have one patient day before the weekend.

If there are things that need tweaked that come up on Friday, you have all weekend to tweak.

Dean,

We (I) did the upgrade last week. One computer needed a SQL rollup? file uninstalled. Windows updates fixed that soon after. Otherwise, no problems.

Just make sure you run all windows updates before the install. Then, restart and check windows update again to make sure all is well.

No glitches here (so far).

Asutosh

Please note my post elsewhere. I was advised by tech support NOT to upgrade yet (since I am a pediatrician)because there is an issue with immunizations, requiring immunizations to be entered manually everytime they are given. Cannot find anything on this user board about this issue. Surprised that an issue this major( requiring tech support to advise to hold off on upgrading) was never mentioned on this board.

Thanks for all of the replies. It seems like if all computers are completely up to date and tech support is assisting, it shouldn't be too painful.

Raj, what do you mean that immunizations have to be entered manually every time? That has me a little confused.

Thanks,
Dean

I ran into some issues, but it may have been related to migrating from V7.0.10. That complicated the change.

The issue that was reported: immunizations given in the new version caused an incorrect CPT code to be pulled in the super bill. The way we are ordering the vaccines was NOT affected. If you were using the superbill you will have to verify the CPT codes for vaccines on the superbill everytime you give them.Since I do not do any billing through AC this is not an issue. Still printing CMS 1500 forms and mailing or using printed CMS 1500 to input directly on Availity or other Ins. website.

I did decide to upgrade today and with tech support everything seemingly went well. Kicked it around before I left the office and everything seems to be working. Would definitely recommend tech support to be there, because there was an issue with the new SQL that had to be fixed(took some time, but he figured it out).

I am interested in whether anyone who has upgraded feels that it is worth the effort?
Is it faster?
Better in some way?
More crash resistant?

Why not just stay with 6.3?
Since I am a sort of technonerd, I always want the latest, but this time I am a little wary.

Okay, no problems with upgrade. The only significant problem:
After doing a well child check with immunizations, when signing off the superbill has the wrong CPT code for the vaccine administration code(90471)for all vaccines (this is not used anymore). You will then have to erase these codes manually before signing off.

The speed is about the same, we have 6 workstations on at one time and no crashes reported so far.(only been live for 3 days).

Letterwriter super!, a lot of annoying quirks from 6.3.3 were fixed and Rx writer is so much more better in pulling the old information from the previous script.

I think the Rx writer is better. Instead of having to look at whether your rx is green, it will state at the bottom "fluticasone adjusted to 50 mcg/inh" (where it was 0.05mg/inh.) That means some of the silliness of having to correct for changes in the coding of medicines may be a thing of the past.

It more consistently pulls in my prior sigs on the Rx, and will put a predefined amount if there is not one (which is overwritten by my prior.) If you click on the dispense drop down, it appears to list the quantities available. THATs COOL. (I don't get out much )

I think one of the reasons I was not seeing the wrong CPT coding was that I usually bill before my MA puts in the vaccines. I had a couple cases where they put them in first and THEN I noticed the 90741 and 90742. Hopefully they will correct that quickly, but I had not seen it in the first week I used it (then I went on vacation.)

After upgrading to 6.6.5 I am having issues where the superbills is marking vaccines Influenza, Pneumococcal even though they were not ordered dut=ring this visit.
Does anyone else have a similar problem?

During that visit did you by chance address the HM for influenza or pneumococcal vaccines ? I wondered if you had went in and done these and maybe put done elsewhere with a date.....just fishing for a reason.

No Has Happened more than once where the HMs have not been addressed and it appears on the superbill.

You are right. Unfortunately we upgraded last week and the immunization records are a total mess. There is no order to the records, they are lined vertically not horizontally and it is impossible to figure out what immunizations the child received. If you are a pediatrician do not upgrade until this issue is resolved. I cannot figure out why technical services did not warn us before. If you are a pediatrician looking to buy, do not even think of it until this problem is resolved.

If the insurances and immunizations are is disarray, what is the value of the upgrade?

indeed

Welcome back, Martin. Ten months between posts, and then you give us one that couldn't be shorter or more to the point.

I was tired, grumpy and had not figured out the letter writer yet. Just to make a quick note,..... I don't know yet.

But a templated note, like our "Did Not Keep Appointment" letter took only a couple of minutes to template and adjust so the addresses line up in the windows on the little statement envelopes. I had to watch the video, and I was sure I didn't get it, but when I started banging around in there it was pretty easy.

So overall, 6.5.6 is an improvement, but we are still heading for more meaningful use instead of a useful EMR.

Has any one noticed any changes in charges from AC for 6.5. have they asked for more money or restricted the use for Non-MD clinicians such as NP or PAs.

I have been using AC since it was 1.0 or something in 2002. charges were ONE TIME for MD only ($250) and no charge for PA or NPs. Current license fee is $1995 for each CLINICIAN and $995 annual fee for EACH clinician.

I want to know if and what they have changed with upgrade and change of ownership of AC re user fees. I am reluctant to upgrade due to higher fees and technical issues if any still persisting.

The fee changes were put in place by Dr. Bertman before Pri-Med acquired AC.

There are some known issues with the current Beta release, so I would hold-fast if your current version is working for you. The latest stable release is 6.3.3.

Support has been a yearly fee since even 2002 (I started then also) and it was I believe $250-500 per year since that time in order to receive upgrades, updates and updated CPT codes. I know the fees look high but I think that is only because we paid so little in the beginning - I believe the $1995 you are seeing includes the licensing plus the first year of support for that person so you are paying $1,000 to add a clinician and then the standard $995 per year. This includes updates, support for all your interfaces and e prescribing which used to cost $540 per year when it was a separate fee.

Comparing this to the fees they charge to maintain/upgrade Medisoft every 1 year or so I think it is a steal.

We didn't have any issues with installation. Did it ourselves. We have a dinosaur server that runs SB2003 with a peer to peer set up using windows 7. Most of our computers Windows 7 some still use XP.

I too have been using it since 2002, and pain $250, boy was I lucky then.
Actually the fees have not changed in several years. They sent out a notice letting people know they could pay up a year in advance to avoid the last increase and it is just kicking in.

I totally agree with Steven. I think the maintenance fee was $500 a year and then they made eRx part of the program (I suspect it was part of MU), and the price went to $995. Since it had been $540 separately, this would have been a price reduction.
Yes, they charge separately for each provider, but it is my understanding that they have to pay for eRx for each provider.

They have a much larger staff, it is a much more robust program with MU, eRx, (version 1 did not have print Rx ability in the first versions) and generous support. Yes, the price has increased, but you are getting a lot more than we did in 2002.

Again, can you find a better deal? I'm sure it has nothing to do with acquisition, since it significantly predated that last year.

What are the new features in 6.5.6 compared to 6.5.5?