Two new ways to simplify digital patient check-in

Two new ways to make digital self check-in even smoother

A smooth check-in sets the tone for the entire patient visit and positions your practice for a more efficient, productive day. That’s why we’ve introduced two powerful enhancements to athenahealth Enhanced Self Check-In (ESCI), part of athenaOne®. These updates are designed to help cut down on errors, save time, and make the process more accessible to every patient — all while helping your staff focus on delivering care.

Digital tools like ESCI are helping practices “kill the clipboard” — replacing repetitive, paper-heavy intake processes with faster, digital workflows. The result: patients get a consumer-style experience that feels intuitive and convenient, while practices gain measurable efficiency, reduce staff workload, and keep schedules running on time.

#1. Primary insurance filters for forms

Not every form is relevant to every patient. Now, you can control which digital forms appear during ESCI based on the patient's primary insurance package.

This targeted filtering helps your practice:

• Reduce errors by ensuring the right paperwork reaches the right patients.
• Save time by eliminating unnecessary steps during check-in.
• Support compliance by surfacing required forms only when they're truly applicable.

Example: You might choose to display a “Release of Billing Information and Assignment of Benefits” form only for patients whose primary insurance product type is behavioral health. You can apply this filter at the patient or appointment level, and even refine it by product type, reporting category, or specific insurance package. Once set, the form appears automatically for the right patients — and stays hidden for everyone else.

A smooth check-in sets the tone for the entire patient visit and positions your practice for a more efficient, productive day.

#2. Practice-owned device check-in

Digital self check-in isn’t just for patients with smartphones anymore. Previously, patients without their own mobile device had to resort to completing forms on paper. With our latest update, they can now complete ESCI on a device in your office.

This added flexibility helps your practice:

• Reduce errors by ensuring every patient has access to digital check-in, minimizing manual data entry.
• Save time by giving patients another quick and convenient option that keeps lines moving.
• Support inclusivity by allowing staff to initiate check-in for patients without personal devices.

Example: A patient arrives without a smartphone, but instead of filling out paper forms, a staff member provides a practice-owned tablet. The patient completes check-in digitally in just minutes, ensuring accurate data flows directly into the system — no paper to scan, no manual transcription, and no delays.

Better for patients. Stronger for your practice.

Together, insurance-based filtering and practice-owned device check-in make ESCI smarter, more accurate, and more inclusive. For patients, that means a smoother experience — no repeating the same information, fewer delays, and a quicker path to care.

For your practice, that translates into measurable gains:

• Saved staff time and fewer corrections.
• Schedules that stay on track or even allow you to see more patients in the same amount of time.
• Healthier operations overall, with front-office workflows that reduce stress and keep staff focused on patient care.

By filtering forms by insurance type and enabling practice-owned device check-in, you’re not just improving the patient experience — you’re building a more efficient, resilient, and patient-friendly practice.

Digital self check-in is just one way athenaOne supports practices in reducing administrative burden, engaging patients, and strengthening financial performance. Explore more of our patient engagement software and tools.