Healthcode and patientzone have enhanced the electronic patient billing and payments functionality in ePractice to help independent practices collect all the money they are owed from non-PMI payors and improve their cash flow.

Phase 2 of ePractice Online Payments via patientzone enables practitioners and clinics who are registered with patientzone to create shortfall letters, details of debt reallocations and payment reminders using ePractice templates and then send them electronically to patients and other payors through the secure portal. They can also send credit notes if the original invoice was sent through patientzone. These additional features are available to Healthcode’s ePractice Lite and Pro users.

Payors receive a branded collection notice or reminder by email or text with a unique link so they can access the patientzone website securely and pay what is due. As soon as a bill has been settled, they are sent an electronic receipt. Practitioners can set their account to send an email or text confirming the bill has been paid and their ePractice account is automatically updated within 30 minutes so they can keep track of payments.

Since Healthcode launched its online payment initiative with patientzone in 2019, over 3,300 practitioners have registered with the system. As well as being more time-efficient than printing and posting bills and more secure than sending an unencrypted email, it is a cost-effective way to offer patients the convenience of online payment compared with arranging a merchant account or paying credit card processing fees. Instead, practitioners and clinics pay a fee to patientzone of 2.5% per paid bill + VAT and there is a charge of 10p + VAT for each reminder letter sent.

The seamless integration between ePractice and patientzone is possible thanks to Healthcode’s interoperable technology. The additional level of functionality will enable practitioners and clinics to manage part-paid invoices and late payments more efficiently, ensuring that this revenue is not lost.

Healthcode’s Head of Business Development (ePractice), Kingsley Hollis said: “Online billing via patientzone means we can offer Healthcode customers a truly comprehensive electronic billing service whether their transactions are with PMIs, patients or other payors such as embassies or solicitors. With self-funded healthcare predicted to increase in the years ahead, efficient and secure online billing and payments is a ‘must-have’ for independent practices.”

Managing Director of patientzone, Richard Shawyer, added: “Our partnership with Healthcode gives practices an affordable way to introduce secure and convenient online payments for their patients. These new billing and payment tracking features signify that we are continuing to collaborate on tools to help practices thrive and I am excited about how much more we can achieve together.”