Services Australia have provided software developers including Best Practice Software with an update on the final stages of the project to migrate online services to Medicare Web Services (MWS).
The majority of our Bp VIP.net practices have migrated to Topaz SP1 (2.1.529.008) or later and are fully compliant with Medicare Web Services. For our remaining practices still running an earlier version that uses older ‘adapter’ technology, Services Australia advise that the agency will be removing access to Medicare Online claiming (including Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Australian Immunisation Register) for the remaining sites using adaptors.
This will be over a 6-8 week period commencing from 4 October 2022.
I haven’t upgraded to Medicare Web Services yet. When do I need to upgrade by?
If your practice is running Bp VIP.net version Topaz (2.1.526.051) or earlier, you are using the older adapter technology. Services Australia will contact your practice in the weeks after 4 October 2022 to inform you that your ability to claim using the adapter will be removed. To continue to use online claiming services, you must upgrade your version of Bp VIP.net.
You can upgrade at any time before this by downloading the most recent version from the Bp VIP.net Downloads page. Review the release notes for version Topaz SP1 (2.1.529.008) here.
- More information about Medicare Online and PRODA is available from Services Australia Medicare Online for health professionals.
- If you are familiar with MWS concepts and are looking to set up your PRODA Account and B2B Device registration in Bp VIP.net, follow the steps in Connect to Medicare Web Services.
- If you have already upgraded and want more information on managing pendable and pended claims, review Pendable to Pended invoices and Medicare Web Services.
Best Practice Software trainers recently delivered a Be in the Know webinar on creating an account with PRODA and Medicare Web Services in Bp VIP.net.
What are web services?
Web services are a type of online technology that allow for secure communication and transmission of data between two devices or software packages over the internet.
What are the benefits of web services?
Medicare web services:
- are more secure than certificates
- align with current technology standards
- are portable across devices and software
- can be easily updated
- do not require additional hardware or software installed.
What is Provider Digital Access (PRODA)?
Bp VIP.net's access to Medicare web services is facilitated through Provider Digital Access (PRODA). PRODA is an online identity verification and authorisation system that provides secure access to government online services.
Previously, Bp VIP.net's access to Medicare Web Services was facilitated through PKI certificates only. Using PRODA to authenticate and identify users and organisations provides a higher level of security than existing methods.
Learn more about PRODA here.
Does everybody in my practice need a PRODA account to get connected to Medicare Web Services?
No, the only users who need to be registered in PRODA are the business owner, and the person who you would like to be able to create B2B devices in your practice, usually the practice manager.
What happens If I don't upgrade to a version of Bp VIP.net that supports Medicare web services?
Users will no longer be able to transmit Medicare or DVA claims electronically and must submit this information manually to Medicare.
I’m having trouble registering my organization in PRODA, what do I do?
Your best port of call is PRODA support – they will be able to assist you with any PRODA or account related enquiries. Please note that it can take several business days to resolve some queries, so you should look to complete your PRODA account registration and set up now if you haven’t done so already.
Which version of Bp VIP.net will support Medicare web services?
Medicare web services functionality is now supported in Bp VIP.net versions Topaz Service Pack 1 and higher.
The Release Notes for Bp VIP.net Program Updates will explain which Medicare services are available through web services in that update.
What will change in Bp VIP.net?
The impact of the switch to Medicare web services in Bp VIP.net to users will be minimal. The process of invoicing and claiming will remain the same.
However, there will be some changes to the way online claiming is set up in Bp VIP.net. You will need to configure details about your PRODA account in Bp VIP.net. All changes to workflows will be documented in the Bp VIP.net Knowledge Base and (Undefined variable: ContactInformation.CompanyName) trainers will give regular webinars on how the changes will affect your practice.
Will I still need to use certificates?
You will no longer be required to import the Medicare or 'site' PKI certificate in Bp VIP.net. However, you will still need to install and update some other types of certificates, such as the NASH certificate for accessing the Health Identifier and My Health Record services.
Which services are affected by this change?
Medicare services that connect through web services of relevance to Bp VIP.net include:
- Medicare Online
- Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) via Medicare Online
Future editions of Medicare web services may add services such as My Health Record and the HI services.
What is a 'B2B device'?
You may notice the term 'B2B device' used in relation to PRODA. You can consider your practice's Bp VIP.net server instance to be a 'B2B device' for the purposes of registering with PRODA. Full instructions on how to sign up and configure Bp VIP.net for web services are available in the knowledge base article Connect to Medicare Web Services.
See Managing B2B devices (Services Australia) for more information
Can I create a B2B Device now before I install the upgrade to Topaz SP1?
No, you’ll only be able to create and register Bp VIP.net as your B2B device after you’ve installed Topaz SP1 and activated Medicare Web Services through the Facility Preferences.
How will I know I am using Medicare Web Services and not the old Adaptor functionality?
When you first enable Medicare Web Services in your software through the Facility Preferences, you will need to log out. When you log back in you will now notice two things:
- When you click the Setup menu, you will now see that the PRODA menu has been added below the Facility Preferences.
- Labels in the Consultation and Payment screen will have updated to Medicare from Easyclaim.
When you register your B2B device and receive the success notification, you can be assured you are now using Medicare Web Services. Once you have done this you can run an OPV to check that you are receiving messages from Medicare using the new Medicare Web Services technology.
What happens to any previous claims before connecting to Medicare Web Services?
Best Practice Software recommends that all processing reports are run prior to upgrading. After upgrading to Bp VIP.net Topaz SP1, our support team are available to assist with any issues regarding pre-upgrade claims,
Can I delete Pendable claims and start again?
Only by using the Reverse or Requote button from the Transactions(F8) screen. These buttons should only be used if you do not wish to proceed with the billing. Remember that the Pendable status is assigned by Medicare, as they have deemed that this claim needs manual assessment for reasons outside of your control.
A Pendable claim gives you the chance to review the content, and resending it to Medicare assures you and Medicare that everything that should be included in the invoice is present.
Will Pendable claims show in Same Day Delete?
No, only your normal Medicare_Assessed status claims will show in the Same Day Delete menu. That’s because Pendable claims haven’t yet been transmitted until it gets to PENDED. Because the claim needs manual assessment by an operator, you will need to contact Medicare to alter the claim.
Is there an option to delete and adjust private health claims?
If you are performing an IMC-Private Claim, no. Once you have transmitted it to Medicare for the rebate, you will need to contact Medicare and request them to reject the claim prior to adjusting and resubmitting the invoice, just like an IMC claim sent with the Health fund.
Where can I find more in formation?
Services Australia have created an eKit with further information on preparing your practice for web services. Download the ekit from the Services Australia website:
Download the services Australia web services eKit
This article will be updated as further information about Medicare web services and Bp VIP.net becomes available.
Last updated 26 August 2022
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