How Much Does Epic Cost For a Hospital or Small Clinic

Nidhi Thakur

23 May 2025

Hospitals and healthcare facilities are often curious about the costs of EPIC systems. Known for its robust features and wide adoption among large healthcare organizations, EPIC remains one of the most popular EHR platforms available today. However, the cost of EPIC is a major concern for small, medium, and even large hospitals and medical facilities. The EPIC cost can be a significant barrier, especially for smaller clinics or facilities with limited budgets. If any hospital or healthcare organization is keen to look for the best EPIC systems available, it's important to know its overall cost.

This blog will share invaluable tips and insights into the cost of EPIC systems for hospitals and medical facilities. Let's look into various aspects and factors that determine how much EPIC costs for a hospital as well as other healthcare facilities.

What is Epic, and Why Does It Matter in Healthcare?

EPIC is a medical software used in healthcare that supports secure data management, improves the accessibility of patient records, and helps ensure information accuracy across the care continuum.

Originally, EPIC was developed to address the limitations of traditional Electronic Medical Records (EMRs). An Electronic Medical Record (EMR) is a digital version of patient records in a healthcare facility which includes medical history from a single practice or hospital and doesn't allow that data to travel with the patient. Even if a patient switches to another facility or doctor, their EMR will not follow.

EPIC EMR was brought to eliminate these limitations of EMR systems. It enables healthcare systems and hospitals to offer a more comprehensive view of patient care. It stores and shares a patient's medical history, demographics, and past treatment results with doctors and healthcare facilities.

To put its significance in perspective, EPIC holds a substantial market share in the United States healthcare system. It’s used by many leading institutions, including Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, and Cleveland Clinic, making it one of the most widely adopted EHR platforms in the country.

How Much Does Epic Cost for a Hospital?

Whether it's a small clinic or a large hospital, the cost of EPIC varies significantly as it depends on a wide variety of parameters. Small practices or clinics have different needs than hospitals. They typically manage fewer patient records and offer a limited range of services.

Hospitals, especially those with multiple locations, require a system that can handle large volumes of patient data and complex business operations. Due to this scale, their costs for EPIC tend to be much higher.

Here’s a quick breakdown of typical costs for an average hospital:

• Setup cost: $50,000 to $500,000 or more, depending on size, requirements, and software complexity
• Monthly fees: $20,000 to $35,000, covering support, maintenance, and licensing

These numbers are estimates and can vary widely based on the specific features a hospital needs and the scale of implementation. For example, a multi-location hospital system with advanced modules and integrations will be at the higher end of the range.

So, when you ask, “How much does EPIC cost for a hospital?” The simple answer is that it’s a significant investment, often ranging from tens of thousands to several hundred thousand dollars upfront, plus ongoing monthly fees.

How Much Does Epic Cost for a Small Clinic?

Small clinics and practices have different needs and budgets compared to large hospitals. Their patient volumes are lower, and they usually don’t require all the advanced features that hospitals use. As a result, their EPIC implementation costs are significantly lower.

Typical features often excluded in small clinic setups include:

• Complex multi-location scheduling and billing
• Advanced analytics and reporting modules
• Extensive specialty-specific workflows
• Large-scale interoperability with other health systems

For smaller practices, EPIC offers a tailored solution called “Epic Garden Plot.” This is a more affordable, scaled-down version designed specifically for smaller healthcare providers. It provides essential functionalities such as:

• Patient scheduling and registration
• Basic clinical documentation
• Secure patient record management

Cost-wise, small clinics can expect:

• Setup cost: Approximately $10,000 to $50,000
• Monthly fees: Around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the size and features selected

The Garden Plot solution helps small clinics access EPIC’s robust platform without the complexity or cost burden of full hospital-scale systems.

How Much Does Epic EHR Cost Per Month?

When it comes to ongoing expenses, the monthly cost of using Epic EHR depends on several factors, including the size of the healthcare provider, the number of users, and the specific services included in the contract.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what these recurring costs typically cover:

• Licensing fees: Charges for the right to use Epic’s software, often based on the number of users or devices accessing the system.
• Cloud hosting: Fees for storing patient data securely on Epic’s cloud infrastructure or third-party cloud services.
• Support and maintenance: Regular technical support, software updates, and troubleshooting to keep the system running smoothly.
• Feature upgrades: Access to new features and enhancements as Epic rolls out updates over time.

Because contracts and needs vary widely, monthly fees can fluctuate significantly. For hospitals, this can mean anywhere from $20,000 to $35,000 or more per month, while smaller clinics will pay less depending on their setup.

Understanding these ongoing costs helps healthcare organizations plan budgets and ensures they get the right balance between functionality and affordability.

Factors That Impact Epic's Implementation Cost

The total cost of Epic EHR software depends on several factors, including the size of the implementation, system design, feature complexity, and ongoing maintenance. However, the major cost is typically influenced by three key factors outlined below:

Training and Support

Most people think that Epic software is complicated to use. However, this very complication is actually the difficulty in getting used to its interface. The company, of course, offers training and support, but these are billed separately, which adds to the total cost of EPIC software. The more support and training you require, the more they will add to the cost.

Size of the Implementation

As expected, the price of Epic is influenced by the size of the healthcare organization. From independent small clinics to huge hospital systems, Epic promises to have the right solution for every organization. Naturally, a small practice will not need the full enterprise setup of Epic as much as a large hospital might. It is basically priced on the scope of the Epic solution that you require. A silver lining is that it is possibly negotiable, depending on your size and your specific objectives.

Features and Functions Required

Suppose a huge hospital serves a high patient volume; its EHR needs would be very vast, demanding a wide range of features. It works the same way for Epic. If your practice is looking for specific, customized features outside what's normally offered, the price will be raised. The more customized and the more feature-rich your Epic system should be, the more you're going to put into it.

EPIC Cost Based on the Size of the Organization

Large Hospitals

Implementation of Epic for a large hospital may require a hefty upfront investment, which can go as high as $500,000 without including any custom features. Said price, however, goes even higher for custom advanced features and upgrades. Generally, large hospitals might expect an additional monthly fee of about $35,000 for their Epic EMR system.

Small/Independent Clinics

When it comes to using an EPIC system for small facilities, the question arises, how much does EPIC cost for a small clinic. An EPIC software solution might seem expensive to small clinics. It may cost around $1200 without customizations. Generally, small clinics and healthcare facilities prefer limited customization to keep the cost within their small budget.

Epic EHR Cost Breakdown (Development + Implementation)

A major part of the EPIC EHR system is the EPIC software. That is why it is important to consider the cost of EPIC software when it comes to getting an EPIC EHR system for your healthcare organization. So, let's dive into the cost breakdown of EPIC software.

Total estimated cost range: $170,000 to $690,000+

Note: Many healthcare organizations license Epic’s software rather than developing it from scratch, which can affect costs significantly.

EPIC Software Development

The development part consists of both the frontend and backend coding for building of core functionalities, UI/UX interface and design, APIs and database. The total cost varies between $100,000  and $300,000 depending on the features complexity and location of the custom healthcare software development company. 

Infrastructure Cost

The infrastructure consists of multiple things, including hosting and cloud services, servers, storage, and backups which costs between $10,000 and $50,000. However, healthcare organizations need to scale up the infrastructure with the growing user base and data volume which adds to the cost. 

Compliance and Security

Every software and system used in healthcare organizations should adhere to the compliance regulations like HIPAA, and data security regulations. So, the EPIC software should adhere to HIPAA, and it should have data encryption for security of user data. To make the software adhere to compliance and security regulations, it cost between $20,000 to $80,000. 

Custom Development

However, to suit your specific requirements costs money. Still, with its abundant customization features and the ability for integration, Epic is a giant masterpiece! The more custom features and integrations you include, the higher the price of your Epic system will be as well. You should think carefully about which customizations are really necessary in order not to exceed your budget.

Data Migration

The cost of moving your old data over can be one of the largest expenses for implementing Epic. This is a costly and time-consuming process. If your data is fairly simple and low-volume, you could see lower migration costs. But complex data can run up that cost into thousands of dollars.

Epic EHR Integration cost 

To use the EPIC system more efficiently, you need to integrate it with your existing systems. Integration with existing applications and systems like lab systems, billing software, and pharmacy, makes the data exchange easier with the EPIC system. Integration of EPIC with other healthcare systems can cost anywhere between $15,000 and $60,000. Again, it depends on the number of systems and applications that need to be integrated. 

Maintenance and Support

Maintenance and support is important to ensure that the EPIC works continuously without issues or technical errors. It involves the ongoing operational support and software enhancements, updates, bug fixes and help desk support which costs between $25,000 and $100,000 per year. However, maintenance and support is often required in long term service agreements, while some organizations may prefer it for a limited period.

Is Epic Worth the Investment?

Epic comes with a hefty price tag, but it often justifies the cost through improved patient care, streamlined workflows, and comprehensive data management. For large hospitals and healthcare systems managing thousands of patients across multiple locations, Epic’s robust features and interoperability can deliver significant long-term value.

Cost vs Benefit at a glance:

• Benefits: Centralized patient records, seamless data sharing, compliance assurance, customizable workflows, strong support ecosystem
• Costs: High upfront setup, ongoing maintenance, and integration expenses

When Epic makes sense:

• Large healthcare systems or hospitals with complex needs
• Organizations seeking enterprise-grade integration and data interoperability
• Facilities that can invest in long-term IT infrastructure and staff training

When to consider alternatives:

• Small clinics or practices with limited budgets and simpler workflows
• Organizations needing quick deployment or minimal customization
• Those exploring more affordable, scalable EHR solutions tailored to smaller settings

How DITS Can Help You Build a Custom Epic-Alternative EHR

If Epic feels like overkill or exceeds your budget, DITS specializes in building tailored EHR solutions designed to fit your unique needs and scale. We focus on:

• Developing flexible, user-friendly EHR systems customized to your workflows.
• Building modular features you actually need like scheduling, ePrescriptions, SOAP notes, integrations.
• Ensuring HIPAA compliance, data security, and interoperability.
• Following HL7/FHIR standards for interoperability.
• Integrating with your existing healthcare tools and devices.
• Providing scalable cloud or on-premises options that grow with your practice.
• Offering ongoing maintenance and support to keep your system running smoothly.

Whether you’re scaling up, starting fresh, or tired of wrestling with legacy systems, we help you design and deploy the right-fit EHR.

Let’s talk about building the smarter, leaner alternative to Epic.

FAQ’s

Q: How much does Epic cost for a hospital?

A: The cost for a hospital varies greatly based on its size, complexity, and the specific Epic modules implemented. Factors like user count, customization needs, and implementation services significantly influence the total investment. It's not a fixed figure and requires a detailed assessment of the hospital's requirements.

Q: How much does Epic cost for a small clinic?

A: Epic's cost for a small clinic is typically lower than for a hospital due to fewer users and simpler implementation needs. While still a significant investment, tailored solutions or different pricing models may be available. Direct engagement with Epic is recommended for accurate pricing for smaller settings.

Q: How much does Epic EHR cost per month?

A: The monthly cost for Epic EHR involves recurring fees covering maintenance, updates, and support. This "how much does Epic EHR cost per month" depends on contract terms, user licenses, and service levels. These ongoing expenses are crucial to factor into the total cost of ownership.

Q: How much does Epic EMR cost?

A: Epic functions as a comprehensive EHR, so "how much does Epic EMR cost" essentially refers to the price of their entire system. The cost isn't usually separated into EMR and EHR components but covers the full suite of functionalities based on the organization's licensed modules and needs.

Q: How much does Epic cost for healthcare organizations?

A: The overall cost of Epic is substantial, reflecting its comprehensive features and scalability. It includes upfront investments for licensing and implementation, plus ongoing operational expenses. While specific figures vary, it's a significant financial commitment balanced against potential improvements in care and efficiency.