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Since the implementation of PRACSYS, a number of system and policy changes have been put in place aimed at improving the speed and accuracy of account payment processes.

The Health Insurance Commission (HIC) maintains a database of medical providers for the purpose of Medicare payments.  This database is kept up-to-date by HIC and provided to Comcare in electronic format.

The HIC database is used to form the core of Comcare's service provider list for account payments.

Use of the HIC tape ensures:

  • there are reduced delays in payment and data entry tasks.  The HIC list of providers is very comprehensive and it will be unlikely that a provider is not listed;

  • prevention of inconsistencies arising where claim invoices are created for duplicate providers.  HIC providers have been required to quote their Medicare number on invoices to Comcare from 01/03/1996.  This number is a unique provider reference that is stored on PRACSYS.  When the number is entered for a provider, there will be no chance of an incorrect provider being selected;

  • prevention of fraudulent invoices being sent with false Medicare numbers;

  • the payment address for providers is accurate;

  • the possibility of later validation of payment types within PRACSYS with HIC provider specialties ('financial payment type' linked to 'provider type'); and

  • improved reporting.

Non-Medicare providers, such as:

  • household service providers;

  • masseurs;

  • gymnasiums; and

  • travel organisations

are not included in the HIC database and are maintained separately by Comcare.