Andrew
Rudo Mandiro
DELAYS in the processing of payments to healthcare providers could soon be a thing of the past, after the Association of Healthcare Funders of Zimbabwe (AHFoZ) partnered with Tres Groupe International (TGI) to introduce an instant payment platform for the sector.
The platform – TGI Carenet – is a Real Time Claims Processing and Settlement system for the healthcare industry that eliminates manual and paper claims processes, and delayed payments.
It comes with an instant payment platform backed by a smart card fixed with a microchip, and traditional magnetic stripe and tap technology.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail Online, AHFoZ board chairperson, Mr Noah Matimba, said:
“TGI Carenet brings an excess of benefits, as it resolves the long-standing stalemate between healthcare funders and healthcare service providers regarding delayed payments and the issue of tariffs.
“It also eliminates forward pricing employed by service providers, effectively reducing the out-of-pocket costs experienced by patients at the point of care.”
Mr Matimba also underscored that the development is aligned to the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and Vision 2030, as the trimming of the cost of healthcare, combined with the reduction of out-of-pocket expenses would improve healthcare access.
“This leads to a healthy workforce fundamental to the achievement of a prosperous and empowered upper middle-income society,” he said.
TGI chief executive, Dr Keith Nkomo said the collaboration marked a significant digital innovation in the healthcare industry.
“The cost of health is expected to reduce by at least 30 percent owing to reduction in claims severity and high operational expenditure currently experienced by medical aid societies.
“TGI is investing over US$2 million in infrastructure and digital technology in the healthcare space.”
To achieve affordable and sustainable levels of healthcare in Zimbabwe, Dr Nkomo added that smart POS (point-of-sale) machines would be distributed to healthcare service providers at no cost.
“With no monthly administration charges, the smart POS machines would also be deployed with a service provider portal, which digitalises claims management and reconciliations at healthcare centres to increase efficiency and enhance patient experience.”
@rudomandiro
Online Reporter