📑 Table of Contents
Introduction
The telemedicine industry has exploded globally. In India alone, the digital health market is projected to reach $50+ billion by 2030. Post-pandemic, patients now expect convenient virtual consultations, online prescriptions, and digital health records.
Yet many remote doctors and telemedicine startups struggle with:
- ❌ No integrated video consultation
- ❌ Manual prescription writing
- ❌ Disconnected billing systems
- ❌ No patient portal for follow-ups
- ❌ High subscription costs eating into margins
The solution? A modern cloud EMR built for telemedicine — one that integrates video calls, digital prescriptions, online payments, and patient portals into a single platform.
In this guide, we'll compare the best telemedicine EMR options, their features and pricing, and show you how to launch your online clinic in just 7 days.
📱 Why Telemedicine Requires a Different EMR
Traditional EMRs were designed for in-person clinics — paper-like workflows, local servers, and walk-in patient management. Telemedicine demands a completely different approach:
Remote Patient Access
Patients log in from anywhere
Digital Prescriptions
Send e-prescriptions instantly
Video Consultations
Built-in secure video calls
Online Payments
UPI, cards, wallets integration
Auto Scheduling
Patient self-booking
Mobile-Friendly
Works on any device
💡 Key Insight: If your EMR wasn't designed for remote care, you'll constantly fight against its limitations.
🔧 Key EMR Features Needed for Telemedicine in 2025
| Feature | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| 📹 Integrated Video Consultation | Core of remote care — no external tools needed |
| 📝 Digital E-Prescriptions | Patients receive prescriptions instantly via email/portal |
| 📅 Online Appointment Scheduling | Self-service booking reduces admin workload |
| 🏥 Patient Portal | History, reports, follow-ups in one place |
| 💳 Online Payments | Faster workflow, better cash flow |
| 📋 Templated Clinical Notes | Saves documentation time |
| ☁️ Cloud Access | Work from anywhere, any device |
| 🏢 Multi-Location Support | Scale to multiple doctors/branches |
| 🔐 Security & Encryption | HIPAA-aligned data protection |
🏆 Best EMR Options for Telemedicine & Online Clinics
1. OpenEMR
Type: Open-source, globally trusted
Best for: Startups, cost-conscious clinics, custom requirements
Pros:
- ✅ Free software — no license fees
- ✅ Fully customizable modules
- ✅ Video integration (Zoom/Jitsi/WebRTC)
- ✅ No per-user or per-appointment charges
- ✅ HIPAA-ready architecture
- ✅ Works globally
Cons: Requires professional deployment
2. Practo / Lybrate (SaaS Platforms)
Type: Subscription-based platforms
Pros:
- ✅ Quick signup
- ✅ Built-in patient discovery
Cons:
- ❌ Monthly subscription fees
- ❌ Limited customization
- ❌ Platform controls your patient data
- ❌ Commission on appointments
3. Bahmni / OpenMRS
Type: Open-source, hospital-focused
Pros: Good for large hospitals, research
Cons: Complex, heavy, not optimized for small telemedicine clinics
4. Custom-Built Platforms
Type: Built from scratch
Pros: Full control
Cons: ₹10-50 lakhs+ investment, 6-12 months development time
📊 Comparison Table — Telemedicine EMRs
| Feature | OpenEMR | Practo/Lybrate | Custom App |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Low / One-time | High subscription | Very high |
| Customization | ✔ Full | Limited | ✔ Full |
| Video Consultation | ✔ Integrated | ✔ | ✔ |
| Hosting | ✔ Cloud/Own | Vendor locked | Custom |
| Data Ownership | ✔ Full | Limited | ✔ Full |
| Multi-Location | ✔ | Partial | ✔ |
| Time to Launch | 7 days | 1 day | 6-12 months |
⭐ Why OpenEMR is the Best EMR for Telemedicine in 2025
💰 No Recurring Fees
One-time deployment cost. No per-user or per-appointment charges.
🔧 Fully Customizable
Add specialty modules, custom forms, branding, and workflows.
📹 Video Integration
Works with Zoom, Jitsi, or WebRTC for secure consultations.
🌍 Works Globally
Trusted by 40,000+ providers in 100+ countries.
🔐 HIPAA-Ready
Encryption, audit logs, role-based access built-in.
📊 Own Your Data
Full data ownership — no vendor lock-in.
💰 Pricing & Implementation Cost
BMRAO offers transparent one-time pricing for complete telemedicine EMR deployment:
🇮🇳 India Pricing
| Plan | Price | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|
| Starter Clinic | ₹25,000 | Solo telemedicine startup |
| Growth | ₹45,000 | Multi-doctor remote clinic |
| Enterprise | ₹95,000 | Hospital chains / networks |
🌍 International Pricing
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Starter | $399 |
| Growth | $599 |
| Enterprise | $999 |
✅ No user limits • No forced subscriptions • No hidden fees
🚀 Launch Your Telemedicine Clinic in 7 Days
🏥 Case Study: Telemedicine Startup Success
Dr. Sharma's Online Dermatology Clinic
Before OpenEMR:
- ❌ Using WhatsApp for consultations
- ❌ Manual prescription PDFs
- ❌ No patient records system
- ❌ Payments via bank transfer
After BMRAO OpenEMR Deployment:
| Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| Consultations/month | 3x increase |
| Admin time | 70% reduced |
| Patient reach | Nationwide (pan-India) |
| Payment collection | 100% before consultation |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — with cloud EMR, video consultation, digital prescriptions, and online payments, you can operate a 100% virtual clinic.
No — OpenEMR patient portal works in any browser. Patients can book, consult, and view records without installing apps.
Yes — BMRAO provides full data migration from Excel, other EMRs, or paper records.
Yes — encrypted connections, HIPAA-aligned controls, and automated backups protect all patient data.
Yes — role-based access allows doctors, nurses, and admins to work securely from anywhere.
Yes — OpenEMR is fully customizable. BMRAO can add specialty modules, custom forms, and workflows.
🎯 Conclusion
Building a successful telemedicine clinic in 2025 requires more than just video calls. You need an integrated EMR platform that combines video consultation, digital prescriptions, online payments, patient portal, and clinical documentation.
OpenEMR stands out as the best choice because:
- ✔ No recurring fees — one-time deployment
- ✔ Full customization — build exactly what you need
- ✔ Complete data ownership — no vendor lock-in
- ✔ Global trust — 40,000+ providers worldwide
- ✔ Fast deployment — launch in 7 days
📹 The future of healthcare is virtual — and OpenEMR makes it affordable.
📞 Ready to Launch Your Telemedicine Clinic?
BMRAO provides secure cloud hosting, video integration, customization, and training for OpenEMR.
⭐ Starting from ₹25,000 / $399
📧 info@bmrao.com