Understanding Epic’s Gold Stars Program
Epic’s Gold Stars program is a continuous improvement initiative designed to help organizations assess how effectively they have configured and are using Epic’s features. It spans key focus areas such as patient access, quality, population health, financial tools, and provider productivity. Organizations receive a 1-10 score based on system configuration and, increasingly, real-world utilization, a shift designed to drive better clinical, operational, and financial outcomes from existing Epic capabilities.
Gold Stars Matter for Clinical Outcomes, Operational Efficiency, and Financial ROI
Gold Stars are more than recognition; they link measurable improvements in care delivery to business performance. Beginning in 2025, scoring places greater emphasis on adoption and meaningful usage so that clinicians, staff, and patients can engage with Epic tools more efficiently. Health systems that haven’t prioritized adoption may see scores drop under the new rules, potentially affecting Honor Roll status and related incentives.
A fully utilized Epic system can reduce cost and increase revenue capture, all while facilitating a smoother healthcare delivery process. For example, streamlined billing workflows and tools like automated denial management can boost revenue and cut labor costs, while patient engagement features improve satisfaction and provider productivity.
In addition, higher Gold Star levels are often associated with improvements in quality metrics, such as a decrease in hospital-acquired conditions and a reduction in length of stay. These improvements not only enhance patient outcomes but also contribute to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the healthcare organization.
BDO’s Five-Step Approach to Gold Stars Optimization
BDO helps organizations meet these evolving expectations with a five-step approach that utilizes existing investments and prioritizes improvements based on impact and ROI:
