I'm not sure that anyone would want to use a financial intitution's EFTPos/Medicare system where the financial institution knows or is aware of what MBS Items, DVA's, Private Consultations, or other medical services a person is receiving from their medical/health practitioner. This would be the perfect man in the middle situation for those cryto minded (well, they have the keys after all). The banks would have your practice demographics, would they not?, the times of consultation, items claimed, amounts, etc, etc.
How about patient information confidentiality? Most financial institutions own Insurance Companies, they make profits based on making accurate prediction about customers risk. Any patient needs Life Insurance?. Any doctor needs Indemminity Insurance?, Any Doctor needs a Loan? As surely as day follows night, Banks will use the information and will maximize their profits by mining the information.
Would a rejected Medicare claim be treated as a bounced cheque where they charge both sides of the deal, so that the patient gets charged for using the expired Medicare Card and the Practice/Provider for not checking?.
These are clearly theorical scenarios just at the moment, but the potential for information harvesting and abuse should not be under estimated. In my opinion, not before the legal and regulatory framework is addressed, anyone should rush into it.
Mario Thinus van Rensburg wrote:
Can one therefore charge the private fee, patient immediately claim from Medicare and effectively only end up paying the gap on the day? Bit of admin and likely some bank fees but sounds promising T -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ken Harvey Sent: Wednesday, 26 July 2006 8:19 AM To: General Practice Computing Group Talk Subject: [GPCG_TALK] Eftpos Medicare on the cards: Hockey Eftpos Medicare on the cards: Hockey Author: Julian Bajkowski Date: 25/07/2006 The Financial Review, Page: 10
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