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Hello All,

Does anybody know if there is a mobile terminal that will process medicare and all other ins cards? The Hicaps terminal has to be plugged into a phone line, they do not have a mobile terminal. I'm aware some of the leading banks may provide mobile terminals but do they accept all payment card plans? Thanks!

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Hi Sunshine,

I have a mobile EFTPOS machine that uses the mobile network, with the CBA I am able to choose between Medicare or HICAPS plus EFTPOS but not both. I believe that Westpac offer a terminal that does both, funnily enough it is the same terminal that CBA use, go figure!

A quick trawl through the various bank websites will give you the info you are looking for.

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Alastair Ginman

Hey Sunshine,

No such thing as a mobile hicaps machine. Wish there was, but there isn't.

Also, you technically need a different one for each location, as they are linked to your provider number.

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Phil Marshman
Mackay, Queensland Australia

I am a mobile pod- to get around the provider number issue, I was told by medicare (for EPC's) that I can use my home or postal address as the address/location for the provider number. Hope this helps.

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TheAussie

Hi Sunshine,

I spoke to HICAPS re Mobile Terminal and the person said that the technology is available, but the health insurance funds are concerned about fraudulent use.

Its annoying and illogical because fradulent use can take place regardless of whether the terminal is mobile. Although, I could imagine inventive allied health professionals bringing their mobile HICAPS terminal to a party and swipping all their mates cards!

The Comm Bank rep I sopke to effectively told me I needed 2 terminals 1 for HICAPS and 1 for Medicare/EFTPOS. I also recall them being significantly more expensive compared to NAB.

Good Luck.

Hi, does any one know or use the Westpac system? It did do quotes some time ago. Not sure if it still does. Is it cheaper than Hicpas as they have reduced their fees recently. There must be some serious competition for them to do this????

Cheers

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Heather J Bassett
137 Wheatsheaf Road
GLENROY VICTORIA 3046
AUSTRALIA
03 9306 8557

I have just gone through this exercise and am signing up with Suncorp. They have two terminals available. A cable one with Medicare easyclaim/DVA, eftpos, credit card and their version of HICAPS called isoft and wireless terminal without HICAPS.
Suncorp is much cheaper to run than HICAPS. (Rental, credit card fees and eftpos charges)
And yes the health funds think allied health providers are out to get them , so no portable operation is allowed.

Trevor,

Did I see you include DVA as an terminal usage option? I am stil patiently waiting on DVA to join the rest of Medicare claiming already available. I use HICAPS currently at one of my locations.

7Pod7,
Yes,
I understand from this site that DVA can be done via a HICAPS terminal only.

We use Front Desk practice management software and medicare online.This allows us to claim EPC bulk bill, DVA and Medicare easyclaim where we bill the customer the full consult fee and then make the rebate claim for the PX.
With the BB claim this is batched at the end of the day so if the PX has used up their 5 visits you wont be paid by Medicare. You find this out later, then you have to try and have the customer pay you .
If you use the easyclaim method you do not have this problem.
Using a terminal only there is lots and lots of button pushing. the practice management software route is much quicker and easier.

With our Suncorp terminal we do not have medicare working properly yet. However this is a Medicare problem not Suncorp.
My son, a dentist, is also having problems with Medicare, where they dont pay sometimes. This happens at random. Medicare blame HICAPS and HICAPS blame Medicare. He is out of pocket LOTS. His is a stand alone HICAPS terminal installation.

Trevor,

Thanks for the run down. I'll bravely swipe a DVA card tomorrow through my HICAPS terminal and see what happens. I'm used to doing the 12 Medicare steps without error so long as I don't get tempted to talk to the patient (to kill the silence).

One day I'm sure I'll get to practice mgt softwear. Work part time.