AI tools supplant EHR usability as medical practice leaders’ top tech priority in 2025

The adoption of AI in medical groups is gaining momentum in 2025, with AI tools now surpassing EHR usability as the top technological priority for practice leaders for this year. 

A Jan. 14, 2025, MGMA Stat poll found that AI tools (32%) were the top tech priority for 2025, ahead of EHR usability (30%), revenue cycle management (RCM) systems (17%), patient outreach technology (13%), and “other” (8%). The poll had 293 applicable responses. 

This points to a marked shift from a similar poll in November 2023 in which EHR usability led with 35% and AI tools accounted for just 13%. The growing focus on AI tools reflects a continued trend of cautious but increasing adoption of these technologies, as seen in a winter 2024 joint research report by MGMA and Humana. 

AI tool priorities 

Among the majority of respondents prioritizing AI tools this year, their key goals for development and deployment over the next six to 12 months were: 

Documentation and charting efficiency: 

• Implementing AI-powered charting tools and scribe technology to ease documentation burden 
• Adopting ambient AI systems for auto-generative note creation and transcription 
• Leveraging AI to improve clinical notes and streamline provider documentation workflows. 

Automation and workflow optimization: 

• Maximizing automation to reduce manual tasks, including HR and recruitment processes 
• Reducing reliance on staff by utilizing AI for scheduling, communication, and appointment rescheduling. 

Enhanced patient interaction: 

• Leveraging AI-driven virtual phone assistants to handle scheduling, directions, and general inquiries 
• Improving scheduling systems with AI tools for better access and efficiency. 

Clinical support and innovation: 

• Employing AI for advanced clinical tasks, such as polyp detection. 
• Expanding the use of AI for reading studies and generating notes across hospital settings. 

Operational improvements: 

• Increasing productivity through reduced manual documentation and staff involvement. 
• Leveraging AI tools with ambient listening capabilities to improve billing accuracy and ensure provider compliance. 

Policy and implementation guidance: 

• Establishing policies to support effective AI use and identifying key opportunities for development. 
• Prioritizing communication efficiencies and ensuring seamless integration of AI into workflows. 

EHR usability 

EHR usability remains a common technological focus for many respondents, with the following key objectives identified for this year: 

Customization and optimization: 

• Tailoring EHR systems like Epic to meet specialty-specific needs 
• Optimizing reporting and templates for improved usability and functionality. 

Training and efficiency improvements: 

• Providing ongoing EHR training to boost productivity and reduce patient wait times 
• Establishing onboarding programs for super users to enhance adoption and use. 

Transition and system upgrades: 

• Migrating to new systems, such as Epic, following a merger or acquisition, or transitioning from local hosting to cloud-based solutions 
• Upgrading EHRs to improve reliability, speed, and efficiency. 

Automation and AI integration: 

• Incorporating AI into EHR systems to automate processes and ease documentation burdens 
• Implementing value-based care modules and reducing manual reconciliation tasks. 

Administrative support and burden reduction: 

• Reducing messaging and record reconciliation burdens for primary care providers 
• Enhancing templates, documentation, and note-taking capabilities to improve workflow. 

Future-focused enhancements: 

• Emphasizing better registration tools and electronic quality reporting 
• Developing processes and infrastructure to support long-term usability and growth. 

RCM systems 

Practice leaders investing in RCM systems identified the following priorities: 

Improved collections: 

• Increasing collections and reducing accounts receivable (A/R) days 
• Enhancing front-desk collections and leveraging better tools for tracking key performance indicators (KPIs). 

Denial management: 

• Reducing denials through improved insurance workflows and payer contracts 
• Streamlining billing processes to boost revenue and cash flow. 

System upgrades: 

• Transitioning to new RCM systems, such as those connected to Epic, following a migration as part of ownership/affiliation changes 
• Evaluating vendors and optimizing systems for future needs. 

Automation and efficiency: 

• Implementing automation to accelerate claim processing times 
• Adopting effective claim payment systems for faster reimbursements. 

Operational enhancements: 

• Integrating new tools such as call center software for better communication 
• Improving staff buy-in and system utilization for better outcomes. 

Patient outreach 

Despite past MGMA polling from November 2024 showing limited adoption of digital self-scheduling tools, patient outreach remains a key area of focus. The main goals and initiatives for these practice leaders in this week’s poll were: 

• Enhancing patient engagement: Using surveys, secure messaging, and custom reminders to boost interaction and reactivation 
• Increasing patient encounters: Growing patient base, reducing referral churn, and improving engagement metrics (BPAs/KPIs) 
• Streamlining processes: Introducing new intake software, simplifying paperwork, and improving workflow efficiency 
• Improving care delivery: Ensuring consistency in wellness visits, immunizations, and closing care gaps 
• Operational expansion: Adding new locations, growing home nursing services, and increasing patient encounters. 

Other tech priorities 

Respondents who selected “other” identified these top priorities: 

• Cybersecurity enhancements: Strengthening network and data security, implementing multifactor authentication (MFA), and improving overall cybersecurity protection 
• System modernization and hardware/software upgrades: Upgrading technology systems, adopting analytics tools, and aligning compliance to meet new requirements, as well as replacing outdated computers, upgrading to Windows 11, and refreshing laptops and other equipment 
• Patient access and efficiency: Launching new patient portals, enhancing scheduling tools, and increasing accessibility to boost patient volumes 
• Automation and task optimization: Streamlining workflows with task automation, auto-dictation, claim scrubbing, and appointment management tools. 

Additional resources 

• “Reimagining Primary Care: How Integrated AI is Transforming Physician EHR Workflows” (Webinar – on demand) 
• “Transforming Healthcare with AI: Impact on Patient Care and Clinical Efficiency” (Webinar – on demand) 
• “MGMA Insights: Navigating cybersecurity and generative AI in healthcare with Chris Bevil” (Podcast) 
• “Confronting the rising price tag of cybersecurity in medical practices” (MGMA Stat) 
• “AI Adoption in the Value-Based Era” (Research report)