Importing OpenEMR "transactions" into QuickBooks

fnv4a wrote on Tuesday, December 02, 2014:

Hello,

I’ve come across this app called TransactionPro http://www.transactionpro.com/products/01TxnWizardDemo.asp
which seems to be able to import transactions from a mySql file into QuickBooks.
I’ve seen it working well with some emr’s and was hoping it would be able to do the same in the case of OpenEMR.

TransactionPro asks for a source file to import http://www.transactionpro.com/media/TPI3/QuickStartGuide/TPI4.html
and I was not sure which file to give it.

Here’s what we’re looking at in terms of importing from OpenEMR to QuickBooks:


  • Patient List / Customer List
    OpenEMR maintains Patient lists when you register. A unique number is assigned.
    QB has Customer: Job List which can have unique numbers or are just sorted out by Name
    Integrate so that both QB & OpenEMR updates these lists from a common platform. So billing can be handled from QB as well as payments. QB has a better platform to handle Accounts Receivable that is well linked to Banking and relative Stocks as described below.

-Stocks
OpenEMR maintains stock list of prescriptive stock items and raises Fee Sheets (bills) based on dispensing and pre-pricing.
QB maintains Stocks of any designated items and has a comprehensive Stock control system. QB’s stock lists are also linked to Purchasing and therefore Accounts Payable, Banking etc.
Integration should be done so that both OpenEMR and QB can update the Stock lists and QBs better stock management can be used in the back-office

-Over-The Counter Drugs sales
QB has an in-built Point-Of-Sale – The Cash Receipt. This is linked to Customer: Job List , Stock lists and then onto Banking.
OpenEMR to import from QB and allow local print-out of the Receipt at Pharmacy level. QB would then handle this as in Stocks above.


Which files in particular would need to be imported from OpenEMR?

Would really appreciate some help and guidance on this, pls.

Thanks in anticipation.

fsgl wrote on Tuesday, December 02, 2014:

It is not likely that the tables in OpenEMR will dovetail neatly into those of Quickbooks.

Rather than importing .sql files, it may be a better idea to use .csv files instead. It’s far easier to rearrange the columns with the latter.

For a bird’s eye view of the database, see this.

A more in depth focus of ar_activity, ar_sessions, fee_sheet_options drugs, drugs_inventory, drugs_sales and patient_data will require delving into the database.

blankev wrote on Wednesday, December 03, 2014:

It is possible!!! With the info of fsgl it is even probable to do it as an advanced amateur.

But you might need some help from one of the many help sources of Quickbooks. Once the link is in place there is a one way street of information exchange. so either get info from OpenEMR into QB or the other way around. Synchronizing two way street was not possible in the past, when I tried some years ago. But with the ever changing QB by now it might be an option. Do the bookkeeping in QB and synchronize with the bookkeeping-part of OpenEMR would be a perfect solution.

Both have options that are perfect integrated for the Software that is used and both have some flaws that is better in the other software.

Once you found the solution, don’t forget to give the feedback. QB is a great piece of Software! As is OpenEMR.

mdsupport wrote on Wednesday, December 03, 2014:

Primary function of EMR is medical records. Any financial functions are afterthought. If you have QB, consider following :

  1. Use QB for all stocks and sales functions.
  2. Use EMR to maintain all customer (aka patient) data.
  3. Map necessary fields from patient-data to customer and form-encounter table to customer job table.
  4. Use customer number/id as pubpid from patient-data and encounter id as job number.
  5. Run your tools frequently in background to update data from EMR mySQL to QB (one way only).

Drug sales are not really critical from medical perspective as long as meds and prescriptions are updated by clinicians.

tmccormi wrote on Wednesday, December 03, 2014:

One thing you must know, OpenEMR does not maintain “Transactions” in a generally accepted accounting practice (GAAP) way. Payments, for instance, update previously posted charge/billing table entries, effectively changing history.

Information in ar_activity,ar_sessions and billing tables, if captured daily, might solve that problem. That’s how it was done for the interface to SQL Ledger. Most of the code for that is still there and might serve as an example if nothing else.

I support this effort. It’s needed.

–Tony

blankev wrote on Wednesday, December 03, 2014:

MD Support,

as always, a clear and concise advise. TNX.

blankev wrote on Wednesday, December 03, 2014:

What ever you do, OpenEMR is as free as free can be. QB is not free and will only be opened if there is a relationship. Something like marriage. A smile and a tear if you embrace QB.

There is a free software accounting tool. (“GNU Cash” is a free accounting Software version, it is fairly similar to QB)

fnv4a wrote on Tuesday, December 09, 2014:

Thanks everyone for your valuable advise which has been of real guidance.

We tried it and it worked!!!
We actually took patient data and billing transactions from OpenEMR and generated accounts and patient specific invoices in QuickBooks.

I’ve made some rough notes of my experiences on this and would like to share the same through the attached pdf.

Let’s share our views on this pls.

blankev wrote on Tuesday, December 09, 2014:

You have two software programs with a lot of static fields and some variables.

Since you are making scripts, could it be possible to make a script and use the FREE IIF export/import file as explained in:

http://dataservices.intuit.com/support/pages/inproducthelp/core/qb2k12/contentpackage/core/iif/task_import_trans.html

It would be another “Free” part. (Transactions Pro is not for free)

drlong wrote on Monday, April 13, 2015:

Curious if anyone has made any headway on this front? Based on previous comments, integration is possible, but perhaps not very simple.

Are there any other accounting platforms out there that integrate better with OpenEMR?

Interested to hear how other OpenEMR users are doing their accounting. We currently use OpenEMR and Quickbooks as completely different entities, and there must be a better way.

Best Regards!

fsgl wrote on Monday, April 13, 2015:

OpenEMR handles well the major aspect of Accounts Receivable for a medical practice; but it should not & cannot be used for Accounts Payable, unless driving the accountant crazy is the underlying objective.

This is one of those times that integration is undesirable.

As much as we value OpenEMR, it won’t make dinner or do the dishes.

drlong wrote on Monday, April 13, 2015:

Haha, it doesn’t take too much business savvy to understand a person who looks over ones finances is not one to toy with!

I am definitely looking to integrate Accounts Receivable with Quickbooks. Our front desk staff bill and re-schedule with OpenEMR. We have a bookkeeper take our OpenEMR invoices and enter them in to Quickbooks. To me this seems like a redundant step, though I am beginning to see it may be a necessary one with the current state of affairs.

I really do value OpenEMR, though my full love of it will not be realized until it cooks and cleans for me…how are those features coming along, anyway?? :O)

fsgl wrote on Monday, April 13, 2015:

Easier to pay the au pair more loonies than to die of a broken heart.

Probably would not be a tall order for one of the Certified Contributors to write a handy-dandy script to save the bookkeeper the hassle. It would be a facsimile of an insert .sql file importing data from OpenEMR to Quickbooks.

Doesn’t hurt to ask.

blankev wrote on Tuesday, April 14, 2015:

In the past there have been efforts to use Quickbooks with Openemr in direct connection.

The problem that I remember is that you have to use Quickbooks or Openemr and never both together. One is dependent on the other. So use the connections with OpenEMR and entrances made in OpenEMR later on make compilations in QB. You can’t make corrections in QB and OpenEMR will follow. The other way around is also not possible.

There must be forums on this topic.bout two or three years ago.

fsgl wrote on Tuesday, April 14, 2015:

Just re-read OP’s 12/9/14 entry. Doable but tedious task.

Have the fellas automate the transfer. Reduce error & time. Well worth the money.

Email everyone on the list & provide a link to this thread by way of explanation.