Telehealth EMR Systems: Best Integrated Telemedicine Platforms for 2026
What does this EMR guide cover?
Find EMR systems with built-in telehealth in 2026. Integrated video visits, e-prescribing, and virtual care workflows. Compare athenahealth, eClinicalWorks, DrChrono, and more.
The telehealth surge that began during the pandemic has become permanent. Over 60% of patients now expect virtual visit options from their healthcare providers. But running telehealth through a separate platform from your EMR creates fragmented workflows, duplicate documentation, and billing errors. This guide covers EMR systems with deeply integrated telehealth capabilities.
Overview
A telehealth-integrated EMR combines video visit technology directly into the electronic health record workflow. Instead of using a separate Zoom-like platform and then manually documenting the encounter, an integrated system lets clinicians launch video calls from the patient chart, document in real-time during the virtual visit, e-prescribe, order labs, and bill the visit -- all without leaving the EMR. The best systems also support asynchronous telehealth (store-and-forward), remote patient monitoring, and patient-initiated virtual visits.
Key Features to Look For
One-Click Video Launch from Chart
Start a video visit directly from the patient's chart with a single click. No separate logins, no switching between platforms.
Real-Time Documentation
Chart during the video visit with the patient visible on screen. Templates pre-populate from the visit reason.
Integrated E-Prescribing
Prescribe medications during or after the virtual visit with the same e-prescribing workflow used for in-person visits.
Telehealth-Specific Billing
Automatically apply correct place-of-service codes, modifiers (GT, 95), and payer-specific telehealth billing rules.
Patient Self-Scheduling
Patients book virtual visits through the portal, receive automated reminders, and join from their phone or computer.
Remote Patient Monitoring
Collect vitals from connected devices (blood pressure, glucose, weight) between visits and surface trends in the chart.
Top 4 Recommended Systems
athenahealth's athenaTelehealth is deeply integrated into the clinical workflow. Video visits launch from the schedule, auto-populate documentation, and apply correct telehealth billing rules from their 160K+ provider payer rules engine.
+ Key Strengths
- ✓Telehealth seamlessly integrated into existing clinical workflow
- ✓Automatic telehealth billing rules and modifier application
- ✓Patient-initiated virtual visit scheduling
- ✓No separate telehealth platform costs
eClinicalWorks healow TeleVisits integrates video visits with their EMR and patient engagement ecosystem. The healow app gives patients a seamless mobile experience for virtual visits.
+ Key Strengths
- ✓healow ecosystem for patient-side virtual visit experience
- ✓Integration with healow Open Access for online scheduling
- ✓Virtual visit documentation templates
- ✓Remote patient monitoring support
DrChrono
DrChrono offers integrated video visits with iPad-optimized workflows, making it easy for providers to conduct telehealth visits from anywhere using their tablet.
+ Key Strengths
- ✓iPad-native telehealth with mobile-first design
- ✓Built-in video calling, no third-party integration needed
- ✓Flexible charting during video visits
- ✓API extensibility for custom telehealth workflows
NextGen Virtual Visits integrates telehealth into their ambulatory EMR with strong population health tools and chronic care management capabilities.
+ Key Strengths
- ✓Integrated virtual visit platform
- ✓Strong chronic care management workflows
- ✓Patient portal with self-scheduling
- ✓Behavioral health telehealth support
Decision Intelligence Comparison
Quantitative scores to help you compare options beyond features and pricing.
| Vendor | Implementation Difficulty | Lock-In Risk |
|---|---|---|
| athenahealth | 28/100 | 31/100 |
| eClinicalWorks | 45/100 | 63/100 |
| DrChrono | 20/100 | 32/100 |
| NextGen Healthcare | 44/100 | 49/100 |
Scores are editorial estimates. View methodology
Buying Tips
Verify that telehealth is included in the base price, not an add-on module. Some vendors charge $50-100/month extra per provider for video visit capabilities.
Test the patient experience. Have someone outside your office join a test video call on their phone without downloading an app -- if it requires app installation, patient adoption will suffer.
Check payer-specific telehealth billing rules. The EMR should automatically apply correct modifiers and place-of-service codes for each insurance company.
Ask about bandwidth requirements. Video visits need stable upstream bandwidth. Some EMR telehealth platforms are more bandwidth-efficient than others.
Evaluate asynchronous options. Beyond live video, some EMRs support store-and-forward messaging, patient questionnaires, and photo-based consultations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a separate telehealth platform if my EMR has built-in video visits?
No. EMRs with integrated telehealth eliminate the need for a separate platform like Doxy.me or Zoom for Healthcare. The advantage is unified documentation, billing, and scheduling. However, if your EMR's telehealth is limited, a dedicated platform with EMR integration may offer better features.
Is telehealth reimbursement permanent after the pandemic?
Many telehealth reimbursement flexibilities have been made permanent or extended through 2026. CMS continues to cover most telehealth services at parity with in-person visits. However, payer rules vary by state and insurance type, so verify coverage for your specific services and payers.
What internet speed do I need for telehealth EMR?
Most telehealth video requires at least 5 Mbps upload and download for a reliable experience. For practices running multiple simultaneous video visits, 25 Mbps symmetric or higher is recommended. Wired ethernet connections are more stable than WiFi.
Related Guides
Cloud-Based EMR Software
Compare top cloud-based EMR systems for 2026. No servers, automatic updates, and anywhere access. Expert ratings on athenahealth, DrChrono, Practice Fusion, and more.
Mobile EMR Software
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