Prior's new Medical Aid Card
© Prior Institute (Pty) Ltd 2003
The greatest innovation in Health Care in 30 years!
DOCTOR'S AND SERVICE PROVIDERS - JUST WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN WANTING AND WAITING FOR!
We estimate that this product will have a dramatic positive impact on improvement in our Industry. It will be the single greatest contributor to contain costs ever. It is simple and cost effective - whilst incorporating a wide range of ADVANTAGES for the Member, the Health Practitioner/Service Provider and also Scheme Administrator.
Cellphone becomes Medical Aid Card - the Prior virtual card system
MEDICAL SCHEME MEMBERS
- No need to carry Medical Aid card (if you have a cellphone)
- Quick and easy confirmation of your Membership (validation) when attending Doctor or any Healthcare Practitioner
- Medical Aid quickly and automatically confirm there are benefits available for your consultation, visit treatment etc. directly to your Doctor
- Can use the same process to allow your dependant to go to the Doctor WITHOUT YOU - i.e. remote approval
- Will work almost ANYWHERE throughout South Africa - even remote areas.
HEALTH PRACTITIONER/SERVICE PROVIDERS
- NO COSTS to the Doctor or Health Provider for hardware, software nor messages
- Quick, easy and automated confirmation that patient is a valid Medical Aid Member, and has this benefit available at this time
- Can automate authorization of claim
- Time saving and improved efficiency in consultation rooms
- NO COST to set up and implement for equipment, etc.
- Works even in most REMOTE areas throughout RSA.
- Do NOT need a computer as this all works on cellphones (Entry level of service)
- The Health Care provider can obtain a NEW cellular contract to use for the new MA Card system at the practice, and usually get the Phone for FREE!
MEDICAL SCHEME ADMINISTRATORS
- Far greater security on the new cellular Card System
- Huge resource saving in time and costs at call centers
- Entry level of service will include offering membership eligibility checking, benefit availability and a Member Verification Certificate (MVC) which authenticates that the member was the patient who was seen by the service provider
- Cost to issue, distribute and Administer the current MA Card are all reduced
- Validation, benefit availability, authorization and even payment can be fully automated
- Huge reduction of fraud and abuse - cost savings throughout
- Full infrastructure of the entire system is up and running via cellular technology - no set up costs or any capital investment to introduce the new system
- Will facilitate easier benefit option changes at year end
- Simple, easy communications to Health Providers and members to implement. Especially due to the one consistent number for all to access the system
ADVANTAGES OF THE NEW Prior CELLULAR MEDICAL AID CARD
- The new system runs on cellphones, via Mobile messaging - and is therefore automated and quicker obtaining information and data at the Administrators' database
- All current facilities of present MA Cards are retained, and there are NO disadvantages
- The cellphone allows improved speed, efficiency and other inherent advantages
- Costs will be lower, with many future interactive features also available
- Only one constant number to use to automatically approve your visit - no matter what scheme you are on, nor what practice you attend anywhere in the country
BACKING AND SUPPORT THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE NEW PRODUCT
- Prior Institute created and developed the new idea
- Integrat developed the software and are our interface into the cellular network companies
HOW IT WORKS
- Member/Patient goes to Doctor/Service Provider with their cellphone (You can still use your MA card until you get a cellphone)
- Member/Patient obtains Practice Number and Procedure Code from Doctor/Service Provider - and SMS's this number to the Medical Aid (one particular cellphone number applies throughout the country for this system. ALL Members of ALL Schemes and ALL Administrators will use the SAME special short number. The Administrators/Schemes will advise your Doctor and other Health Service Providers of this number. Just ask for it when you go for treatment
- Doctor/Service Provider receives an automated Cellular Message response from Medical Aid on their cellphone (the practice cellphone number they select for this purpose) confirming membership and certain details such as MA number, gender, age, name of scheme etc. and that there are benefits available at that time
- The whole process is much quicker, more secure and automatically provides your Health Care practitioner with all the information he/she needs - there and then - to treat you on Medical Aid.
- The role of DHSwitch is vital in this process in view of their ability to enhance an Audit Trail for Claims. This service will include SWITCH offering membership eligibility checking, benefit availability and a Member Verification Certificate (MVC) which authenticates that the member was the patient who was seen by the Service Provider.
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