In a recent interview, Carl Cottrell, ChartOne's senior director of product marketing, pointed out that many healthcare providers don't understand the difference between point-of-care EMRs and legal EMRs, and try to get by with one document when they need both. Point-of-care EMRs, he said, are necessary for clinical decision-making, while legal EMRs are longer-lasting documents necessary for all legal concerns and used in revenue cycle management.

"They really have totally different purposes," he said. "And when you try to sneak revenue cycle stuff into point-of-care stuff, it generally makes things worse."

According to HealthPort officials, the combined company, to be based in Alpharetta and headed by HealthPort President and CEO Michael Labedz, will offer a product line that includes ROI technology, electronic document and medical records management, coding services, recovery audit contractor (RAC) services, RCM, cancer registry services and interim health management and consulting.

"We are committed to leveraging these benefits for our existing customers and look forward to pursuing new opportunities as the healthcare information technology sector continues to grow and mature," said Labedz.