Health Technology Best Medical Transcription Services Acusis has the best overall medical transcription service By Natasha Freutel Updated on January 12, 2023 Fact checked by Charles Heller Fact checked by Charles Heller Charles Heller has been a journalist for 15+ years, writing, editing, researching, and fact-checking for both print and digital media. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. The best medical transcription services make it simple and easy to produce reports and complete medical charting while improving efficiency within the office. Traditionally, professional medical transcriptionists have a non-clinical role in hospitals or medical practices, doing all the transcribing for the nurses and physicians. But now that most medical records are electronic, it is possible to outsource medical transcription to save on staffing costs and improve accuracy and productivity. Medical transcription services record each patient's encounter and turn it into a written report to be included in the patient's electronic medical record (EMR). Some services also have their own easy-to-use app or online interface to make submitting or retrieving records simple. Here, we rounded up the best medical transcription services available in the U.S. Best Medical Transcription Services of 2023 Best Overall: Acusis Best Budget: InSync Healthcare Solutions Best for Quick Transcription: EHR Transcriptions Best for Ease of Use: SmartMD Best for Real-Time Charting: ScribeEMR Best Medical Transcription Services View All Best Medical Transcription Services Our Top Picks Acusis InSync Healthcare Solutions EHR Transcriptions SmartMD ScribeEMR See More (2) Final Verdict Compare the Best Medical Transcription Services Frequently Asked Questions Methodology Best Overall : Acusis Acusis Sign Up Now Key Specs Cost: Request a quoteTurnaround time: 30 minutes to 24 hoursTech: AcuSuite software and iOS app Why We Chose It As one of the largest and most popular services, Acusis offers reliable and versatile medical transcription services, making it the best overall choice. Pros & Cons Pros Reliable Offers editing and quality control services Guaranteed HIPAA compliance Cons Long-term contract required No Android app Overview As the industry leader for medical transcription services, Acusis has been in operation since 2001, boasting 98% accuracy for all transcriptions and offering high-quality and error-free reports. Acusis has its own software, AcuSuite, offering multiple ways to capture dictations, process documents, and manage signatures. And if you’re afraid of having to have yet another program to log into, Acusuite can connect with your current healthcare information systems, and you can upload dictations from all different sources. All patient information is kept private with its 100% HIPAA compliant platform, and its skilled team of medical transcription specialists is HIPAA-certified and trained in all aspects of medical transcription. And, if you are looking for ultimate convenience, you can capture dictations on an app for iPhones or iPads. All transcripts are reviewed for quality assurance, and you can also edit them online. The company's pricing is not listed on its website. Cost is determined either by line or by character, depending on your preference. To use this service, you must enter into a contract, making it a better option for facilities or clinics looking for a long-term transcription service provider. Best Budget : InSync Healthcare Solutions InSync Healthcare Solutions Sign Up Now Key Specs Cost: Request a quoteTurnaround time: 24 hours with a 2-hour STAT optionTech: Mobile app with dictations via phone or digital recording device Why We Chose It InSync Healthcare Solutions offers medical transcription services at a lower cost than its competitors, while still producing high-quality transcriptions with a quick turnaround. Pros & Cons Pros Lower price point 2-hour turnaround available for STAT transcriptions Uses a convenient mobile app for uploading transcriptions Cons 128-bit encryption is lower than competitors No description of the editing process Overview Founded in 2015, InSync Healthcare Solutions can interface with your current EHR (electronic health record) systems to make transferring your information easy. InSync values your clients’ privacy, meeting all HIPAA guidelines, and uses 128-bit encryption technology (good enough to be HIPAA compliant but lower than many of its competitors). You can record your dictations via phone or digital recording device, depending on what your healthcare provider prefers. InSync guarantees 98% or higher accuracy, although it does not explain its editing process on its website. When you sign up for InSync, the company performs a free cost analysis to determine the annual savings to your practice over your current system. Pricing for InSync is not published online, so you need to contact the company directly to receive a quote based on your transcription needs. It is consistently listed as a cost-saving option in reviews online, and the company has a case study on its website detailing how a client saved 40% by switching to its services. Best for Quick Transcription : EHR Transcriptions EHR Transcriptions Sign Up Now Key Specs Cost: About $.10 per line, but varies based on needTurnaround time: 24 hours with option for faster serviceTech: Online access via Windows PC, Mac OS, or iOS; quality assurance software Why We Chose It We chose EHR Transcriptions as best for a quick transcription service because it is simple, fast, and easy to use, with no complicated set-up or confusing programs. Pros & Cons Pros Free trial period Easy to use High encryption standards Cons Does not offer customization features Not appropriate for advanced transcription needs Mobile platform does not support Android devices Overview The goal of EHR Transcriptions is to make reporting easier for doctors so they can spend more time with their patients. It has over 12 years of experience, and all work is guaranteed, or you don’t have to pay. There are strict security protocols in place, and it boasts that with over 2 million medical transcriptions delivered, there has not been a single breach of HIPAA compliance. Even better? It also has a triple-proof accuracy process. All transcriptions are checked three times by a medical language expert and then examined again by quality assurance software before delivery. You can expect a 24-hour turnaround time. There is no fancy software to install, and all services are offered 100% online. Team members can access transcriptions from any Windows PC, Mac OS, or iOS device. Like many others, services are only offered in English. EHR Transcriptions offers a seven-day free trial to ensure that it is the right fit for your practice. It also makes purchasing easy, avoiding the hassle of signing a contract or purchasing extensive software. The cost of EHR Transcription Services is reasonably priced at approximately $.10 per line but varies based on needs, so you must contact them for a personalized quote. Best for Ease of Use : SmartMD SmartMD Sign Up Now Key Specs Cost: $.08 to $.13 per lineTurnaround time: By 9 a.m. the next dayTech: App for iPhone and cloud storage Why We Chose It We chose SmartMD due to its versatility, user-friendly mobile app, and the ability to archive your transcriptions in its secure cloud. Pros & Cons Pros Multiple ways to access your transcriptions American based Free trial option Cons Mobile app can be confusing at times App only available for iPhone Extra cost for cloud storage Overview SmartMD is a medical transcription service that you can count on. This transcription company has been operating since 1999 and promises quick turnaround times, the ability to post reports directly to your patients' charts, a streamlined dictation platform, secure cloud storage, HIPAA-compliant messaging, and more. Unlike other transcription services, it is 100% based in the U.S., and it tailors its services to suit your setting. The company also offers live phone support during the day, night, or on weekends and a 100% audit trail on every dictation. Even better? SmartMD offers a free trial, so you can decide if it’s right for you before setting it up for your practice. Packages range from around $0.08 to $0.13 per line and include custom templates and dictation through its iPhone app, digital recorder, or phone. It also offers custom templates and promises to have reports delivered by 9 a.m. There are no setup fees when getting started and no monthly minimums, making this an excellent service for any size practice. You can also upload handwritten notes or forms to save additional charting time. Best for Real-Time Charting : ScribeEMR ScribeEMR Sign Up Now Key Specs Cost: Request a quoteTurnaround time: Charting is completed in real timeTech: Applications and two-way audio Why We Chose It ScribeEMR uses telemedicine applications and two-way audio, which allows medical scribes to document the visit in real time, immediately decreasing practitioner charting time. Pros & Cons Pros Dedicated personal scribe Multi-disciplinary scribing Economical pricing Cons No fancy technology No templates or customized features Overview ScribeEMR is a medical transcription service that provides timely, high-quality, detailed reports to optimize the charting and reimbursement process. Medical scribes can help save time, reduce burnout, and improve doctor-client interactions, so it's ideal for busy medical practices. ScribeEMR sets itself apart from other services by providing real-time documentation with the ability to use your existing telemedicine technology to listen to each patient visit and input data directly into your electronic medical record (EMR) system. This means no technology upgrades on your end and less time spent charting after hours. The company also offers virtual assistant services if you need additional help with your practice. You can request a free demo at any time, and its website states that pricing is economical. Pricing is based on a monthly rate for full-time providers and an hourly rate for those who spend parts of their day away from the office or in surgery. You must contact them for a quote for exact pricing based on your needs. All scribes are trained on more than 40 EMR systems and can cover all areas of medical documentation, such as patient notes, lab orders, prescriptions, and referrals. All services are HIPAA compliant, and your dedicated personal scribe will quickly get to know your charting style and expectations. Final Verdict Medical transcription services help save time, improve accuracy, and maintain complete medical records to improve insurance reimbursement. The best services are HIPAA compliant, have a quality assurance program, and provide trained medical transcription specialists to meet your needs. Acusis is the best overall option for reliable and versatile services. It offers its own high-quality software, and is also compatible with your current systems for easy integration. Compare the Best Medical Transcription Services Best Medical Transcription Service Cost Turnaround Time Tech Acusis Best Overall Request a quote 24 hours, or as quick as 30 minutes AcuSuite software and iOS app InSync Healthcare Solutions Best Budget Request a quote 24-hour turnaround with a 2-hour STAT option Mobile app with dictation via phone or digital recording device EHR Transcriptions Best For Quick Transcription $.10 per line but varies based on needs 24 hours with options for faster service Online access via Windows PC, Mac OS, or iOS; quality assurance software SmartMD Best for Ease of Use $.08 to $.13 per line By 9 a.m. the next day App for iPhone and cloud storage ScribeEMR Best for Real-Time Charting Request a quote None; charting is completed in real time Applications and two-way radio Frequently Asked Questions Why Do Doctors and Nurses Need a Medical Transcription Service? Medical professionals can benefit from a medical transcription service to save time on charting and ensure accurate documentation. It also helps improve patient-practitioner relationships as there is less time spent on the computer making for a more personal experience. If overall efficiency is key, a medical transcription service can help. How Accurate Are Medical Transcription Services? Many medical transcription services promise 98% accuracy. They often have a team of reviewers who spot-check transcriptions for accuracy and proper medical terminology. Medical transcription services use trained staff instead of voice recognition software to ensure the records are accurate and complete. How Much Do Medical Transcription Services Cost? Medical transcription services vary in cost depending on the services provided. Many services average around $0.10 per line, and some services have additional fees for setup or software. Most companies require you to request a quote for accurate pricing, dependent on your needs. Methodology We looked at eight medical transcription services available in the U.S. to find the best services. By researching online reviews, company websites, and staff recommendations, we determined the best pick for each category. However, it wasn't easy to find accurate pricing for each service as costs are often quoted based on individual needs. We excluded services that did not have medical transcription professionals on staff or relied on voice recognition software. The best services make it easy to upload or record patient encounters and allow you to upload forms and handwritten notes to add to the medical record. Jose Luis Pelaez Inc / Getty Images See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? 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