The difference between EHRs and EMRs can be quite confusing as many times they are used interchangeably and also since the difference is not a major one. EMR or electronic medical record is only the chart of a patient in a digital format whereas an EHR or electronic health record contains all health information of a patient in a digital format.

An electronic medical record’s purpose is majorly limited to use by one or more physicians within a practice but an electronic health record can be used for reference or treatment purposes by other practices also, by way of transfer of data by authorised persons. EHRs are very much important and used more widely than EMRs for purposes like insurance claims, Medicare and Medicaid.