Commonwealth Bank of Australia

01/26/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/25/2023 14:56

Patients can now claim Medicare and private health on one CommBank Smart Health device

26 January 2023

Patients can now claim Medicare and private health on one CommBank Smart Health device

CommBank Smart Health is making it simpler and more convenient for healthcare providers and patients to make a wider range of claims.

Healthcare providers can now use CommBank Smart Health to process Medicare and private health insurance claims on-the-spot, gaining efficiencies in administration while enhancing patient experiences.

Healthcare providers can also now offer contactless claiming for patients who have a digital membership card with participating healthcare funds such as Bupa, HCF and HBF.

Albert Naffah, CommBank Health CEO, said CommBank Smart Health could take the hard work out of practice management and administration, leaving healthcare professionals to focus on delivering quality care to their patients.

CommBank's Smart Health is a premier destination for practice management and intelligence, supported by one of Australia's largest healthcare directory and appointment booking solutions.

"Innovative new digital CommBank Smart Health capabilities mean general practitioners and other healthcare providers can process claims on the one secure, wireless Smart Health terminal," Mr Naffah said.

"Simplifying and speeding up payments could reduce cost pressures, and save time and resources spent on administration while giving patients richer, simpler and faster experiences.

"Health providers can be on-boarded to Smart Health in as little as 72 hours, while our provider portal enables instant transaction reporting reconciliation and search. Industry-first 'sign-on-glass' technology enables practices to digitally capture and store patients' consents and declarations, removing the need for physical paperwork."

Smart Health integrates a wireless, portable touch screen Smart terminal for processing payments and health claims with the Smart Health Hub. The terminal can act as a standalone device, or work together with leading practice management software to make claiming easier and faster.

Data is automatically sent to the Smart Health Hub, a digital portal where healthcare providers and practice managers can access receipts and health insurance records as well as track and reconcile payments.

Patients will also have the added convenience of contactless claiming for participating health funds by using their mobile device at the CommBank Smart terminal instead of their card, to quickly, securely and easily make claims.

Gap payments or rebates can be processed in a single transaction, via a patient's debit or credit card and receipts are instantly visible and securely stored in the Smart Health Hub.

Healthcare providers can also now quickly and seamlessly process claims for overseas visitors and students under Overseas Student Health Cover and Overseas Visitor Health Cover with private health care funds such as Medibank and NIB, as well as WorkSafe Victoria claims for eligible general practitioners, physiotherapists and pharmacies.

Mr Naffah said the transformation of administration and management efficiencies using digital solutions such as Smart Health could lead to billion dollar savings across the healthcare sector.

A recent report by CommBank Health and KPMG showed that 44 per cent of surveyed patients would consider changing providers if it offered a quicker and easier claims process. Meanwhile around 71 per cent of patients agreed that fully digital processes would make it easier and faster to book, claim and pay for appointments.

"Digital solutions that make it simpler and faster to book, claim and pay for appointments, could improve productivity and connectivity across the entire healthcare ecosystem," he said.

Near real-time oversight of practice service fees and doctor income in partnership with Surgical Partners, as well as transactional, operational and clinical care metrics powered by Cubiko, are also being integrated into the Smart Health Hub, giving health care providers the ability to make smarter business decisions.

These latest innovations follow CommBank Health's recent partnership with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to build a new claims at point of support channel for the National Disability and Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Things you should know:

Media releases are prepared purely for informational sharing purposes for use by Journalists, and are not intended to be commercial, promotional or marketing material relied upon by customers or other stakeholders. Media releases are written without considering an individual reader's objectives, situation or needs. Readers should consider the appropriateness to their circumstances. This information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Please view our CommBank Smart Health Terms and Conditions (PDF), Financial Services Guide (PDF).Fees, charges and eligibility criteria may apply.

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