For the medical aid and benefits administration industry, controlling and effectively managing the huge volume of information — membership details, public, private and company schemes, ailment and procedure codes, variances in benefits, tariffs and rates as well as membership and service provider logistics – is the most critical challenge.
“The way forward for medical schemes lies in the electronic transmission, management and integration of operational and financial information and its conversion into meaningful tactical management intelligence,” says Jaco Havenga, services manager at Lorge, the national and international ACCPAC financial software reseller and solutions provider.
“The accounting software package provides a solid base for the process but the integration requires middleware that can be tailored to cater for the different operational systems and methodology of individual medical aid organisations. The ability to tailor-make the solution is essential if meaningful integration of operational data into the accounting system is to be achieved.”
Havenga adds that ACCPAC offerings such as Integration Manager, Insight (a business intelligence module), Customer Relationship Management and Asset Management enable the complete integration of operational information into the ACCPAC back-office accounting system on any platform for a totally open solution.
With Integration Manager, a software tool developed by Lorge`s development arm, ACCtivity, critical management information can be presented in the format required by the individual organisation. Typically, such information could be detailed comparisons of costs against revenue generated for each medical scheme, scheme offerings or participating companies.
“The integration and analysis of all the components, from fund administration to hospitals, service providers and pharmacies empowers management to very quickly obtain critical information on which sound decisions can be made. This information, sourced from every operation within the organisation, can be made available to head office management daily or every five minutes if circumstances demand.”
There are many benefits to such an integrated system. It caters for centralised purchasing and supplier payments, generating time, administration and cost savings. It provides rapid access to integrated operational and financial information in a central location. Powerful drilldown features allow management to view total funds collected and cost breakdowns for each medical scheme.
In-depth financial analysis and reporting includes the daily updating of key financial and management information as well as regional or branch performance breakdowns and comparisons.
“The overall system encourages employees to be performance-oriented and more productive and focused,” says Havenga. “At the same time administration costs are lowered, claims turnaround times improved and customer service levels are elevated.”
Lorge operates nationally and works with some of the leading benefits administration companies, including the Metropolitan Health Group, Klerksdorp Medical Benefit Scheme, Gallet Healthcare, the Government Employees Pension Fund, De Beers, Momentum Employee Benefits and Fedsure.
“Lorge has implemented an integrated financial and operational data system at Metropolitan Health Group and Steven Williams, financial manager at Metropolitan, has commented that our solution is fully in line with their commitment to world-class services in a paperless environment,” says Havenga.
He adds that the integrated systems have improved companies` processing efficiency at reduced cost and risk, with customers benefiting from improved service levels and quicker reaction.
Issued by: Copywise
Lorge
Established in 1986, Lorge has become the undisputed leader in ACCPAC accounting software and business solutions in Africa. Over the years, Lorge`s consistent expertise in the implementation, development, servicing and support of ACCPAC systems as well as the design and application of innovative solutions that provide strategic and competitive advantage, has earned it an enviable reputation in both the public and private sectors.
Editorial contacts
Colleen Bellas
(011) 292 8100
colleen@lorge.co.za
Copywise
Dave McDermott
(011) 327 5171
dave@copywise.co.za
