Intelleca teams up with Zebec, Intacta to improve healthcare claims processing

Intelleca Healthcare has formed an alliance with US-based Zebec Data Systems and Intacta Technologies to improve the efficiency of health claims processing and enhance the security and privacy of patient information.

Zebec and Intelleca will develop new applications with Intacta`s INTACTA.CODE and integrate the system into current applications used by their existing healthcare clients to proactively establish or complement the organisations` compliance programmes with the US Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). HIPAA regulations govern privacy, security, and electronic transactions standards for healthcare information in the US.

"Zebec`s and Intelleca`s knowledge and experience in the healthcare industry provide a unique opportunity for all three companies," says Noel Bambrough, president of Intacta. "The combination of knowledge, experience and technology among our companies, related to the healthcare industry, allows us to develop reliable and economically attractive solutions for existing and potential clients.

"Intelleca brings substantial international experience to the alliance, allowing the parties to satisfy similar requirements in countries outside of North America," adds Clive Berman, CEO of Intelleca Healthcare. "There is a substantial opportunity within the local and international market and Intelleca will participate fully in the development and marketing of the solutions and applications."

Intacta brings to the alliance a patented solution for all paper-based transactions as well as fax and e-mail workflow in the healthcare industry. Through compression, encryption, error correction and encoding engines, patient and other related information can be transferred and integrated more efficiently among healthcare organisations - such as from doctor to benefits administrator. This solution, hosted by Zebec`s data centre and telecommunications network for the North American market, will help streamline claims processing while providing an HIPAA-ready alternative to safeguarding patient information.

"Healthcare institutions are increasingly burdened with the rising costs and complexity of claims administration," says John Feltham, president of Zebec. "This alliance will allow us to develop solutions that reduce claims processing costs, and help our clients meet the confidentiality and privacy requirements of HIPAA regulations."

The parties launched the joint services and applications in April 2002. The alliance also involves the development and marketing of the applications in various countries including SA, the US, Canada and Australia.