Medicare Easyclaim information for software vendors
About Medicare Easyclaim
Medicare Easyclaim is an easy way for patients and practices to claim their Medicare rebate using the existing EFTPOS network.
Payments to practices are usually made within 24 hours, straight into their nominated bank account.
Patients can also use Medicare Easyclaim to claim their Medicare rebate once they have paid their account—the rebate is then paid into their bank account almost immediately. 80 per cent of patients expect the system to be in place at their doctor’s surgery within the next 12 months.
Find out more about what Medicare Easyclaim means for practices
How does it fit in with Medicare Online (HIC online)?
Medicare Easyclaim is simply another claiming channel for practices to choose from. Practices are likely to use Medicare Easyclaim for some types of claims, and Medicare Online for others. It will depend on the practice and what works best for them.
Who's delivering the system?
Medicare Australia is offering Medicare Easyclaim in partnership with financial institutions, who will be delivering the system through the EFTPOS network.
Currently, the following financial institutions have signed on to deliver Medicare Easyclaim:
- Commonwealth Bank
- National Australia Bank
- Tyro Payments
- ANZ
- Suncorp Bank
- Cuscal Limited - Delivery anticipated from June 2011.
Transaction fees
In accordance with section 6.3(b) of the Electronic Medicare Claiming Accreditation and Service Provision Agreement, Medicare Australia determines the fees payable to accredited financial institutions. Medicare Australia has determined that the fee payable to financial institutions for each successfully delivered Medicare Easyclaim transaction for the five year period starting on 1 July 2010 will remain at 23 cents.
Does it work with practice management software?
Medicare Easyclaim has been designed as a stand-alone solution, meaning that it can work independently of practice management software.
Providers of EFTPOS services along with software vendors, have delivered a fully integrated practice management software Medicare Easyclaim solution.
Medicare Australia is telling health professionals that:
- for the stand-alone solution, no change to practice management software is required to use Medicare Easyclaim
- for an integrated Medicare Easyclaim solution, contact your practice management software provider or EFTPOS provider.
Providers of EFTPOS services and software vendors currently providing integrated solutions for Medicare Easyclaim:
What does Medicare Easyclaim mean for the medical software industry?
This new system is an opportunity for the medical software industry to offer a value-add service to customers.
An integrated solution for Medicare Easyclaim will help practices unlock even greater efficiencies from the new system.
How can I get involved?
Software developers interested in the possibility of providing an integrated Medicare Easyclaim solution together with a financial institution, should contact that institution to find out more.
Last updated: 23 November, 2012