Discovery Health has announced that it has signed an agreement with MediSwitch, a division of JSE-listed USKO, to use the system for eligibility checking and claims processing. Via the agreement, MediSwitch-enabled healthcare service providers can immediately check the eligibility and status of all Discovery Health members` accounts.
"While the system does not indicate how much money is available in a member`s fund, it does indicate if a member has been suspended or has left. This immediately cuts out a significant portion of potentially fraudulent users," comments Johan van Rooyen, head provider of networks and relations, at Discovery Health.
"The benefit to our members lies in the peace of mind gained by the service provider once they have checked and verified the patient`s standing with the medical aid," he continues.
Discovery Health is also using MediSwitch`s facility to safely transmit batch claims from service providers. According to van Rooyen, the Fund`s decision to implement MediSwitch in a `step-by-step` approach is motivated by its commitment to its members` interests.
"At this stage," explains van Rooyen, "our resources and systems are better equipped to manually check claims, but as we develop our internal "Intellisystem" to reach a certain capability level, we will use more and more of the MediSwitch functionality."
MediSwitch business development director, Peter Kennedy, says the agreement with Discovery Health is an important step in establishing a long-term relationship with the fund. "Discovery Health is one of the largest and most forward-thinking medical aids currently available to the public. We are extremely optimistic about the potential benefits MediSwitch can afford this Fund."
The announcement of the agreement comes after a series of recent deals, alliances and partnerships that include Brainware Health, Lancet Laboratories, Sizwe and Spectramed.
"MediSwitch is currently at the fore of the healthcare switching industry, and has formed strategic relationships with the majority of the biggest players in this sector," adds Kennedy.
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