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HICAPS is an acronym for the Health Industry Claims and Payments Service - an electronic health claims and payments system that allows Australians to claim Medicare, WorkSafe Victoria, and private health insurance benefits when they make a payment for a health service2.
HICAPS allows registered healthcare providers to process these claims instantly, which means you receive the benefit you’re entitled to on the day of treatment, rather than being out of pocket until your claim is assessed and paid manually2. Except for WorkSafe Victoria claims, which are lodged instantly to be assessed before payment is processed3.
Many healthcare providers offer HICAPS so that they can process private health insurance, Medicare, and WorkSafe Victoria claims for their patients on the spot4.
A HICAPS terminal works in a similar way to an EFTPOS machine, but communicates with the government or your private health insurance provider rather than your bank.
The process for claiming your benefits depends on whether you’re making a private health insurance, Medicare or WorkSafe Victoria claim – read on for more information.
Suppose you visit a dentist that offers HICAPS, and dental benefits are part of your private health insurance extras policy. When you’re paying for your service, the receptionist will ask if you have private health insurance – simply present your card and they’ll swipe it through the HICAPS terminal.
Details of your claim will be sent to your health fund and it will be processed instantly. If your extras policy covers the cost of your treatment, you won’t need to make any further payments4.
If only part of the cost of your treatment is covered, you’ll need to pay for the remainder of the service yourself by EFTPOS or credit card.
If you’re visiting a healthcare provider and believe that treatment is likely to be covered by Medicare, you can use the Medicare Easyclaim system (fulfilled via a HICAPS terminal) to lodge your claim and receive your rebate.
Generally, you’ll be asked to pay your account in full using EFTPOS; your Medicare card will then be swiped through the HICAPS machine and your rebate paid directly into your bank account almost immediately5.
Healthcare providers can lodge invoices for injured workers via a HICAPS terminal as part of the WorkSafe Victoria scheme. You’ll need to provide your claim number, which the receptionist will enter into the HICAPS terminal6.
Your claim will then be sent to WorkSafe Victoria for assessment. Please note, you won’t receive an on the spot payment for WorkSafe claims.
HICAPS is the system that supports Medicare Easyclaim payments. Using a HICAPS terminal, patients can lodge claims and receive payments on the spot at their healthcare provider, if the account is fully paid5.
If your account is partially paid or unpaid and you’re entitled to Medicare benefits, a statement and/or cheque will be sent to you at the address Medicare holds on its system for you; you must then forward this cheque to your healthcare provider, along with any outstanding balance5.
Anyone with a Medicare or private health insurance membership card with a magnetic strip can use HICAPS at participating healthcare providers. Simply present your card at the time of payment.
If your private health insurance membership card doesn’t have a magnetic strip, check with your health fund whether they’re a HICAPS partner4.
Many healthcare providers – from dentists to dieticians, optometrists and physiotherapists – allow you to lodge a benefits claim via HICAPS. You can claim instantly using HICAPS at registered:
Yes. Details of your treatment can only be viewed by your healthcare provider and your health fund. HICAPS uses secure encryption protocol to ensure your privacy is protected4.
98% of health insurance providers are HICAPS partners7, which means it’s likely you’ll be able to make an extras claim on-the-spot following treatment at a healthcare provider with a HICAPS terminal.
To check whether your health insurance provider provides instant payment of claims via the HICAPS scheme, you’ll need to call them directly.
HICAPS go is a smartphone app that allows you to make a booking with your healthcare provider, claim the cost of the treatment with your private health fund, and pay any out-of-pocket expenses using your mobile phone8.
Users can also check their out-of-pocket expenses before making a claim.
The HICAPS scheme can be a little confusing if you haven’t used it before – but the receptionist at your healthcare provider is likely to be experienced with using the system and able to answer any questions you might have.
To compare health insurance policies, and see if you can find a policy that suits your needs and budget, start comparing online today or call us on 13 19 20.
Sources:
1. https://www.hicaps.com.au/patients
2. https://www.hicaps.com.au/common/about
3. https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/instructions-invoicing-worksafe
4. https://www.hicaps.com.au/patients/faqs
5.https://www.hicaps.com.au/content/dam/hicapsrwd/Documents/Medicare_Easyclaim%20Reference%20Guide.pdf
6. https://www.hicaps.com.au/content/dam/hicapsrwd/Documents/Worksafe_stepbystep.pdf
7. https://www.hicaps.com.au/private_health_insurers
8. https://www.hicaps.com.au/products/hicaps-go-product
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