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Epic AI Charting 2026: What Healthcare Providers Need to Know

Updated February 2026

Epic Systems rolled out Epic AI Charting in February 2026, marking a significant shift in the ambient AI scribe market. As the dominant EHR vendor with 42% of the acute care market, Epic's integrated ambient AI tool has healthcare providers and standalone AI scribe vendors reassessing their strategies.

This guide explains what Epic AI Charting is, how it compares to third-party ambient scribes, what it means for healthcare providers, and what alternatives exist for those seeking more specialized documentation tools.

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What is Epic AI Charting?

Epic AI Charting is Epic Systems' built-in ambient AI scribe that listens during patient encounters, drafts clinical documentation, and prepares orders based on what it hears.

Key Features

Ambient Listening

  • Captures patient-provider conversations using microphone or device audio
  • Processes speech in real-time during the visit
  • Works with telehealth and in-person encounters

Automatic Documentation

  • Generates structured SOAP notes directly in Epic
  • Populates relevant EHR fields (History, Physical Exam, Assessment, Plan)
  • Drafts orders based on conversation (labs, imaging, prescriptions)

Native EHR Integration

  • No third-party app or login required
  • Documentation flows directly into Epic workflows
  • Leverages existing Epic patient data for context

Quality Review Workflow

  • Providers review and edit AI-generated notes before signing
  • Highlights sections requiring verification
  • Tracks which portions were AI-generated vs. manually edited

Epic AI Charting vs. Third-Party Ambient Scribes

Epic's move into ambient AI creates direct competition with vendors like Abridge, Suki, Nuance DAX, and Nabla. Here's how they compare:

Epic AI Charting Advantages

FeatureEpic AI Charting
IntegrationSeamless - built into Epic EHR
Login/SetupNone - part of existing Epic access
Data FlowDirect to Epic without APIs or middleware
PricingPotentially bundled with Epic license
SupportSingle vendor (Epic) for EHR + AI

Third-Party Ambient Scribe Advantages

FeatureAbridge, Suki, Nuance DAX, Others
SpecializationOften optimized for specific specialties (cardiology, oncology, mental health)
CustomizationMore flexible templates and workflows
Multi-EHR SupportWork with Epic, Cerner, athenahealth, eClinicalWorks, and others
Innovation SpeedFaster feature releases and updates
Vendor Lock-inAbility to switch EHRs without losing AI scribe

Market Impact: What Changed in February 2026

Epic's rollout of AI Charting has significant implications for the ambient AI scribe market:

For Health Systems Using Epic

Pros:

  • Reduced vendor management (one contract instead of two)
  • Potentially lower costs if bundled with existing Epic license
  • No integration headaches or middleware
  • Unified support from Epic for EHR + AI issues

Cons:

  • May lack specialty-specific optimizations
  • Less flexibility for customization
  • Dependent on Epic's development roadmap
  • May not be as advanced as dedicated AI scribe vendors

For Standalone AI Scribe Vendors

The stakes are high. With 42% of acute care hospitals using Epic, vendors like Abridge (which ranked #1 in KLAS's 2026 ambient scribe report) face pressure to differentiate.

Vendor Strategies:

  • Specialization: Focus on niches Epic AI Charting doesn't serve well (e.g., psychiatry, oncology, complex subspecialties)
  • Multi-EHR Support: Position as the solution for health systems with multiple EHRs
  • Advanced Features: Offer capabilities Epic doesn't (e.g., multi-speaker tracking, burnout analytics, decision support)
  • Better User Experience: Compete on accuracy, speed, and ease of use

For Providers

Providers now have more options, but the decision is more complex:

  • Epic users: Should we stick with Epic AI Charting or invest in a third-party tool?
  • Non-Epic users: Third-party ambient scribes remain the only option
  • Group practices: Does Epic AI Charting work for all specialties, or do some providers need specialized tools?

Who Should Use Epic AI Charting?

Good Fit For:

Primary Care Providers

  • Straightforward documentation needs
  • High volume of routine visits
  • Prefer simplicity over customization

Health Systems Seeking Simplification

  • Want to reduce vendor complexity
  • Already satisfied with Epic's feature development speed
  • Prefer bundled pricing models

Early Adopters in Epic Organizations

  • Large health systems piloting AI documentation
  • Organizations with strong Epic support teams
  • Providers comfortable with Epic's AI review workflows

May Need Alternatives If:

Specialized Practices

  • Mental health providers needing therapy-specific templates
  • Oncologists requiring complex treatment documentation
  • Surgical specialties with procedure-heavy workflows

Multi-EHR Environments

  • Health systems using Epic + other EHRs (e.g., Cerner for ambulatory)
  • Providers working across multiple facilities with different EHRs
  • Practices planning to switch EHRs in the future

Advanced Feature Requirements

  • Need for custom templates beyond Epic's offerings
  • Require integration with non-EHR tools (e.g., patient engagement platforms)
  • Want more control over AI model tuning

Alternatives to Epic AI Charting

If Epic AI Charting doesn't meet your needs, consider these ambient AI scribe alternatives:

Top Ambient AI Scribes (2026)

Abridge

  • Ranked #1 in KLAS 2026 report
  • Strong in primary care and specialty clinics
  • Works with Epic, Cerner, athenahealth, eClinicalWorks
  • Known for accuracy and user-friendly interface

Suki Assistant

  • Deep Epic integration despite being third-party
  • Strong voice command features
  • Popular with physicians who prefer dictation-style workflows

Nuance DAX Copilot

  • Microsoft-backed (acquired 2021)
  • Strong brand recognition from Dragon Medical days
  • Enterprise-grade security and compliance

Nabla Copilot

  • Clinician-founded, clinician-focused
  • Strong in ambulatory specialties
  • Emphasizes reducing provider burnout

DeepScribe

  • AI-first company with rapid innovation
  • Strong machine learning capabilities
  • Flexible pricing models

Specialized Documentation Tools

SOAPNoteAI

  • Works across all EHRs (EHR-agnostic)
  • Optimized for therapists, physical therapists, nurses, and allied health
  • Five documentation methods: shorthand, audio, AI scribe, telehealth, uploads
  • $40/month, 20 notes free trial

Athena Ambient AI (Coming 2026)

  • Built into athenahealth EHR (like Epic AI Charting, but for athenahealth users)
  • Beta testing in February 2026, broader rollout mid-2026
  • Included at no additional cost for athenahealth customers

Implementation Considerations

If your organization is evaluating Epic AI Charting vs. alternatives, consider these factors:

1. Cost Analysis

Questions to Ask:

  • Is Epic AI Charting included in our current Epic license or is it an add-on?
  • What's the per-provider cost compared to third-party tools?
  • Are there volume discounts for large health systems?
  • Does Epic AI Charting require hardware upgrades (microphones, tablets)?

Typical Pricing Ranges:

  • Third-party ambient scribes: $200-$600/provider/month
  • Epic AI Charting: TBD (contact Epic for pricing)

2. Specialty-Specific Needs

Evaluate:

  • Does your specialty require custom templates? (e.g., psychiatry, oncology, cardiology)
  • Are there procedure codes specific to your field that need accurate documentation?
  • Do you document in ways that differ significantly from Epic's standard templates?

3. Workflow Integration

Key Questions:

  • How does Epic AI Charting fit into our existing documentation workflows?
  • Do providers review AI-generated notes immediately after visits or batch at end of day?
  • How does Epic AI Charting handle multi-provider encounters (e.g., teaching rounds)?

4. Accuracy and Quality

Testing Recommendations:

  • Pilot with 5-10 providers across different specialties
  • Compare accuracy of Epic AI Charting vs. third-party tools in side-by-side tests
  • Measure time savings and provider satisfaction
  • Track edit rates (how often AI-generated notes require significant changes)

5. Vendor Lock-in Risk

Consider:

  • If we switch EHRs in 5 years, do we lose our AI scribe investment?
  • Are we dependent on Epic's roadmap for feature improvements?
  • Can we negotiate opt-out clauses if Epic AI Charting doesn't meet expectations?

The Future of Ambient AI Documentation

Epic's entry into ambient AI documentation signals a broader trend: EHR vendors integrating AI natively rather than relying on third-party partnerships.

Predictions for 2026-2027

More EHR Vendors Will Launch Built-In AI

  • Athenahealth already announced its ambient AI (February 2026 beta)
  • Oracle Health (formerly Cerner) likely to follow
  • Smaller EHR vendors may partner with AI providers instead of building in-house

Consolidation in Third-Party Market

  • Standalone ambient AI vendors will merge or specialize
  • Expect acquisitions by larger health tech companies
  • Specialty-focused tools (e.g., mental health, oncology) will gain market share

AI Beyond Ambient Scribes

  • Ambient AI will evolve to include decision support
  • Predictive analytics for patient outcomes
  • Automated coding and billing suggestions
  • Real-time clinical guidance during encounters

Regulatory Evolution

  • CMS and FDA will issue clearer guidance on AI documentation
  • Requirements for transparency (which portions of notes are AI-generated)
  • Standards for AI model validation and bias testing

Based on the Epic AI Charting launch, here's what healthcare providers should do:

Immediate Actions (February-April 2026)

If You Use Epic:

  1. Contact your Epic account representative to understand pricing and availability
  2. Request a demo of Epic AI Charting with providers from different specialties
  3. Compare against your current ambient AI tool (if you have one)
  4. Run a 30-day pilot with 5-10 providers

If You Don't Use Epic:

  1. Evaluate third-party ambient AI scribes (Epic AI Charting isn't an option)
  2. If you use athenahealth, inquire about their ambient AI beta program
  3. Consider EHR-agnostic tools that will work regardless of future EHR changes

Medium-Term (Q2-Q3 2026)

For All Providers:

  1. Track industry developments (more EHRs will launch AI tools)
  2. Monitor KLAS and KORU reports on ambient AI scribe performance
  3. Survey your providers on documentation burnout and tool satisfaction
  4. Budget for AI documentation tools in 2027 plans

Long-Term Strategy (2027+)

Build AI Documentation Into Your Workflow:

  • Train new providers on AI-assisted documentation from day one
  • Establish quality assurance processes for AI-generated notes
  • Create policies for when manual documentation is required vs. AI-acceptable
  • Monitor regulatory changes and ensure compliance

Conclusion: Epic's AI Charting Changes Everything—But Not for Everyone

Epic AI Charting is a game-changer for healthcare organizations deeply embedded in the Epic ecosystem. Its seamless integration, potential cost savings, and single-vendor simplicity make it an attractive option for primary care and general specialties.

However, third-party ambient AI scribes still have a strong role for:

  • Specialized practices needing custom workflows
  • Multi-EHR health systems
  • Providers who want best-in-class AI accuracy and innovation
  • Organizations hedging against EHR vendor lock-in

The Bottom Line: The best ambient AI scribe is the one that reduces your documentation burden while maintaining quality. For some, that will be Epic AI Charting. For others, it will be Abridge, Suki, SOAPNoteAI, or another specialized tool.

Don't rush into a decision based solely on vendor consolidation. Pilot, test, and measure before committing to Epic AI Charting or any ambient AI tool.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Epic AI Charting is Epic Systems' built-in ambient AI scribe tool that listens to patient encounters and automatically generates clinical documentation. Released in February 2026, it's integrated directly into the Epic EHR without requiring third-party vendors.

Unlike third-party ambient scribes like Abridge or Suki, Epic AI Charting is built directly into the Epic EHR with no separate login or integration needed. However, third-party tools may offer more customization, specialty-specific features, and work across multiple EHR systems.

Epic has not publicly disclosed pricing. Many Epic features come with standard licensing, but AI Charting may require additional fees. Health systems should contact their Epic account representative for specific pricing details.

Epic AI Charting only works with Epic Systems EHR. It's not available for other EHR platforms like Cerner, athenahealth, or eClinicalWorks. Healthcare providers using other EHRs will need third-party ambient AI scribes.

It depends on your needs. Epic AI Charting may be sufficient for basic documentation, but specialized practices or providers who need advanced features may still prefer dedicated ambient AI tools like Abridge, Suki, or Nuance DAX.

Epic AI Charting processes data within Epic's HIPAA-compliant infrastructure. Since it's part of the Epic EHR, it inherits Epic's existing security and compliance framework, which includes Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) and encryption standards.

Alternatives include Abridge, Suki Assistant, Nuance DAX Copilot, Microsoft's Nuance DAX, Nabla Copilot, DeepScribe, and specialized tools like SOAPNoteAI. These work across multiple EHR systems and often offer more customization for specific specialties.

Medical Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical judgment. Always consult current clinical guidelines and your institution's policies.

Sources

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