OpenEMR

Self-Hosted

Open-source electronic health record (EHR) and medical practice management system

Overview

OpenEMR is a comprehensive open-source EHR solution for healthcare providers, offering patient charting, appointment scheduling, billing, e-prescriptions, lab integrations, and telehealth tools. Compliant with HIPAA and ONC standards, it ensures secure patient data handling. Deployable via Docker, LAMP stack, or cloud platforms, it supports customization for small clinics to mid-sized practices. Additional features include reporting, patient portals, and multi-language support for global accessibility.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  openemr:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: openemr
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

HIPAA/ONC-compliant patient record management
Appointment scheduling, billing, and e-prescription tools
Telehealth integration and patient portal access

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is OpenEMR hard to install?

OpenEMR offers Docker images for easy setup (ideal for beginners) and traditional LAMP stack installs (requires basic sysadmin skills). Community documentation and third-party managed hosting options exist to simplify deployment for non-technical users.

? Is it a good alternative to Epic or Cerner?

OpenEMR is a strong alternative for small-to-mid-sized practices avoiding proprietary fees. While it lacks some enterprise features of Epic/Cerner, it provides core EHR functionality, compliance, and customization that meets most practice needs at no cost.

? Is OpenEMR completely free?

Yes—OpenEMR is open-source (GPL license) and free to download, use, and modify. Costs may apply for hosting, technical support, or third-party integrations like lab connections or telehealth plugins if needed.

Top Alternatives

Epic Search Google

Cerner Search Google

Athenahealth Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category Health and Fitness

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ HIPAA/ONC compliant for secure patient data
⊕ No subscription costs (open-source license)
⊕ Highly customizable to practice-specific needs

Cons

⊖ Technical setup required for self-hosting (Docker eases this)
⊖ Steep learning curve for non-technical staff
⊖ Ongoing maintenance for compliance updates