Epic Systems (MyChart)

Apr 21, 2025 237m

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Episode Description

What if we told you that the most important company in US healthcare was run from a farm in rural Wisconsin? And that farm contained the world’s largest subterranean auditorium, as well as Disneyland—style replicas of Hogwarts and the Emerald City? What if we told you that the person who started, runs and owns this establishment has legally ensured that it will never be sold, never go public and never acquire another company? And that this person, Judy Faulkner, is also likely the wealthiest and most successful self-made woman in history?

Welcome to the story of Epic Systems, the software company that underpins the majority of the American healthcare system today. Epic isn’t “just” an electronic medical record (the category it’s usually lumped into), or an online patient portal (which is how most of the US population interacts with it via its MyChart application). It’s more akin to a central nervous system for hospitals and health clinics. Almost everything in a hospital — from patient interactions to billing, staffing, scheduling, prescriptions and even research — happens on Epic’s platform, and over 90% of American medical schools’ graduating doctors, nurses and health administrative staff are trained on it during their educations. Tune in as we dive into the almost-unbelievable story of how this epic company came to be!

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AI-Generated Summary

Overview of Epic Systems

In this episode, the hosts discuss Epic Systems, a significant player in US healthcare that operates from a farm in rural Wisconsin. Epic Systems is renowned for its electronic medical record (EMR) software, particularly its MyChart application, which serves as a crucial component in healthcare management. The company is known for its unique operational model that eschews traditional marketing and sales tactics, choosing instead to cultivate a reputation for reliability, integration, and exceptional customer service.

The Founder: Judy Faulkner

The podcast sheds light on the founder of Epic Systems, Judy Faulkner, who is recognized as one of the most successful and wealthy self-made women in history. Described as a visionary leader, Judy has maintained complete control over the company through a trust structure for her voting shares, ensuring that Epic will never be publicly traded or acquired. The hosts emphasize her role in shaping the company’s culture, which focuses on customer satisfaction and engineering excellence.

Growth and Market Dominance

Epic Systems has grown significantly over the years, with its customer base reaching 607, encompassing 32,000 hospitals. The company’s revenue hit approximately $5.7 billion, and it is on a steady growth trajectory. The hosts discuss the pressures for scale and integration in healthcare and how Epic has positioned itself as the dominant EMR provider by never losing a single client and consistently listening to customer feedback. They also explore how the high-tech act from the government catalyzed EMR adoption, benefitting Epic as a primary player.

Challenges and Criticisms

Despite its successes, Epic Systems faces criticisms, particularly regarding the burdens of electronic medical records on healthcare providers. The advent of meaningful use led to increased administrative tasks for doctors, with some studies suggesting it detracted from patient interaction. The hosts also touch on interoperability issues with other EMR systems and the backlash against Epic's dominant position in the market, as well as the ongoing antitrust lawsuit against the company.

Looking Ahead: Opportunities

The future of Epic looks promising with advancements in artificial intelligence and ambient listening technology that could revolutionize the way healthcare is delivered. The podcast discusses the potential for Epic to expand beyond traditional healthcare providers and venture into partnerships with payers and pharma, offering integrated solutions that streamline processes and enhance patient care. The discussion includes future trends in healthcare and how Epic is positioned to adapt.