practiX - September 2009

How to assign an item number to multiple Cost Accounts

This month’s Hot Tip, was recently raised at practiX user group, explaining the need to assign certain item numbers to more than one cost account, specifically the incentive item numbers 10990 and 10991 used in general practice where Bulk Billing is concerned. As the incentive items can be attached to any item, at an item line level, how can a practice allocate these items to different cost accounts for reporting purposes? Such as a doctor incentive cost account AND a nursing cost account as examples.

There is a relatively easy way to configure practiX to report this information correctly for you.

In this example, I have used the incentive item as an example, but this set up can be used for any item that needs to be assigned to multiple cost accounts.

Ø Setup a new item number that replicates the original item set up with a defining feature such as an alphanumeric set up to define the provider type, or cost account type. If setting up an incentive item to be assigned to a nursing cost account, you could add an item called 10991N which displays as 10991 and is assigned to the nurse cost account. All other setup should replicate the original set up of the existing 10991.

Important Note:  The following information is only necessary when generating a Bulk Bill and billing any of the automatically added items, for normal items the following process is not necessary

Ø When billing enter all the item numbers including the 10991N

Ø Untick the option ‘Automatically Add Bonus Items’ otherwise it will add additional bonus items

Ø Continue billing as normal

Once this set up has been completed, billing would occur as normal and if the item is required for standard reporting for GP incentive item, bill as you normally would. However, if you would like to have your item report against nursing items, use the 10991N, or 10990N and untick the option for automatically add the bonus item number.

All your reporting requirements will then allocate to the correct cost account as assigned by the item numbers.

Contact details

iSOFT Hot Tip

If you have any other ideas for iSOFT practiX ‘Hot Tip’ of the month, please email stephanie.jasper@isofthealth.com

iSOFT support

If you have any problems setting this up please contact iSOFT support.

primary.support@isofthealth.com

Ph – 1300 36 47 47

iSOFT training services

If you require on-site training or are interested in knowing about our group training, please email

primary.implementation@isofthealth.com

Medicare Australia

www.medicareaustralia.gov.au then go to For health professionals > Medicare

Ph – 1800 700 199