MediSwitch, a division of JSE-listed information technology group USKO Limited, is a Virtual Private Healthcare Network which enables the healthcare industry to access and transport healthcare related content and data.
To date, Mediswitch has invested in excess of R25-million in the development and testing of its switch. This includes the embedding of a communication interface into the major doctor and pharmacy management software systems which gives service providers instant on-line access.
The NMP switch will route claims from service providers directly to the medical aid administrator. This will reduce the time it takes for claims to reach NMP and specifically, speed up the assessment process and ultimately the administration of claims payments.
Through its strategic alliances with major practice management software vendors Mediswitch provides NMP with the capability of receiving thousands of electronic transactions daily without the problems of direct connections to each service provider.
Says Dave van der Berg, Operations Director of NMP Administrators: "One of the challenges that always faces medical aid administrators is the flexibility to accommodate a host of system suppliers each with their own formats and technical standards.
"Our preliminary tests with MediSwitch indicate a compliance with accepted standards as far as claims submissions are concerned."
Each transaction passing through the switch will be instantly read, translated and routed by the switch to match NMP`s prescribed format, thereby guaranteeing real-time delivery of claims related data through industry standard protocols.
Says Mr Van der Berg: "Through the accreditation of MediSwitch, NMP hopes to achieve improvements in practitioner administration efficiency by offering accurate and improved processing of accounts. This in turn will result in a better service to our members and providers of service."
NMP administers funds for members throughout South Africa. As an open scheme administered by NMPA, NMP is dominant in the Kwa-Zulu region and accounts for a relatively larger percentage of business for service providers in the Kwa-Zulu Natal region.
The MediSwitch Virtual Private Healthcare Network will enable electronic batch claim submissions as well as on-line real-time eligibility checking of members by service providers. The latter will enable service providers to know when patients are not covered by NMP and to request up-front payment of fees for service rendered.
Says Alan Day, managing director of MediSwitch: "We are delighted with the NMP accreditation and trust that the MediSwitch implementation will compliment NMP`s already significant investment in Information Technology and its initiatives to improve administrative efficiency.
"The beauty of the Mediswitch system is that providers can retain existing investments in their computer systems and do not need to retrain on a new system.
"They also do not require additional hardware nor do they need additional third party claiming systems on their desks.
"Since its incorporation into the Usko group 13 months ago, Mediswitch has been enhanced continuously and is fast achieving an enviable reputation as a comprehensive, easy-to-use, single connection communication system."
Mediswitch time and cost savings include less manual data entry, less paperwork, increased flexibility, improved cost control, improved cash flow and greater accuracy of information.
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