Austria

EDIVKA = electronic data interchange between insurance companies and hospital

EDIVKA is the electronic exchange of data between hospitals and private health insurers in connection with confirmation of private insurance cover, achievement accounts, payment notices and transmission of medical findings.

The advantages of electronic communication

• shorter processing times
• minimizing administrative input
• automated data entry
• speeds up routine jobs
• automatic record-keeping
• increased efficiency
• paperless processing possible
• swift implementation of new contract results
• term of payment reduced to 3 weeks when EDILEIST is implemented (term of payment goes up to 6 weeks if EDILEIST is not implemented)

It is simple to integrate the partners (e.g. hospitals, doctors, health-service institutions) into the system. The partners need an XLM interface to the KIS system (based on Austrian standard ÖNORM K2001), a compatible transfer software (MediKom-S or medical net), an e-mail address and an a-trust (validated digital signature) certificate. Using the Internet as a safe basis for data transmission facilitates a swift link-up at reasonable costs.

This creates a major potential for cost savings in administration without any disadvantages for patients.

EDIVKA steps

EDIKOST

• electronic transfer of admission announcement
• electronic transfer of confirmation of private insurance cover

EDILEIST

• electronic transfer of invoices
• electronic transfer of term of payments
• electronic transfer of medical information

Electronic performance schedules

The VVO will prepare performance schedules, covering the specific agreements with hospitals, the individual performance position, the prices, any ancillary conditions, etc. It will maintain them on a central basis and make them available to contract partners. It is up to the contract partners and/or their EDP of programs to integrate the electronic schedules into their systems. The procedure way brings hospital one step closer to electronic data transmission.

In order to ensure the safe communication of health data on the Internet, the VVO selected two partners on the basis of a tender. They fulfill the strict requirements of GNW certification and thus comply with requirements for the health data security:

* Medikom-S of Wienkav
A software package that is available to the health sector free of charge.

* medical net
This is a communication platform that is used by many hospitals and doctors for the transfer of medical findings. If one of the party to the contract is already using medical net, EDIKOST and EDILEIST data can also be communicated.

Test platform

For a swift and successful implementation of the existing XML interface (based on Austrian standard ÖNORM K2001) for the electronic communication between hospitals and private health insurers, the VVO set up a test platform, the use of which offers major advantages to all users.

The test platform was set up so that all parties involved will find it much easier to use the XML interface during the test phase. The communication partners will only be integrated once technically and formally correct interfaces have been set up so that the right contents can be communicated. The scope of the testing does not include the technical and medical correctness of the data.

By the creation of the test platform it is possible to support for development and training necessary test steps:

* As a result, the software developer can test his programs in detail and expeditiously.
* The 'specific test' is meant to assist members of a specific field (Fachbereich) to get used to the system under conditions found in practical application. Established EDIVKA partners will then require little input when integrating a new partner.

Status of EDIVKA

EDIKOST is realized in the following hospitals:
 (hospital = KH, private hospitals = PK)

- Wien: PK Döbling, PK Josefstadt/Confraternität, PK Grinzing, Wr.Privatklinik, Rudolfinerhaus, Goldenes Kreuz, Evangelisches KH, SMZ-Ost/Donausspital, Rudolfstiftung, Wilhelminenspital, Kaiser Franz Josef Spital, KH Hietzing, SMZ Otto Wagner Spital, KH Barmherzige Brüder Wien, KH Barmherzige Schwestern Wien, Göttlicher Heiland, St.Josef KH, Orthopädisches Spital Speising

- Oberösterreich: AKH Linz, KH Barmherzige Schwestern Linz, KH Barmherzige Brüder Linz, KH Sierning, Klinikum Kreuzschwestern Wels, KH Barmherzige Schwestern Ried, Elisabethinen Linz, PK Wels, Diakonissen KH Linz

- Salzburg: St.Johann Spital, Christian Doppler Klinik, KH St.Veit/Pongau, KH Barmherzige Brüder Salzburg, Kardinal Schwarzenberg`sches KH, KH Hallein, KH Zell am See, KH Tamsweg, Diakonissen KH Salzburg, PK Wehrle, PK Emco, San.Ritzensee 

- Tirol: Klinik Innsbruck, KH Hall, KH Kufstein, KH St.Johann, KH Schwaz, KH Zams, KH Natters, KH Hochzirl, Psychiatrisches KH Hall,   San.Kettenbrücke, PK Hochrum

- Vorarlberg: KH Dornbirn

- Steiermark: PK Kreuzschwestern Graz, PK Graz Ragnitz, KH Barmherzige Brüder Graz Eggenberg, Theresienhof, San.Kastanienhof

- Kärnten: PK Villach, PK Althofen, PK Mariahilf, KH Barmherzige Brüder St.Veit/Glan 

- Niederösterreich: KH Wr.Neustadt, KH Tulln/Gugging, KH Baden/Mödling.

- Burgenland: KH Barmherzige Brüder Eisenstadt, KH Oberwart, KH Oberpullendorf, KH Güssing, KH Kittsee

EDILEIST is realized in the following hospitals:
 (hospital = KH, private hospital = PK)

- Kärnten: PK Villach, PK Althofen, PK Maria Hilf

- Oberösterreich: Diakonissen KH Linz, PK Wels

- Salzburg: PK Emco, PK Wehrle, Diakonissen KH Salzburg

- Steiermark: KH Kreuzschwestern Graz, PK Leech, San.Hansa, San.St.Leonhard.

 

You will find further information about electronic communication at www.medicalnet.at/edivka

Contact person at the Austrian Insurance Association:
Schwarzenbergplatz 7
A-1030 Vienna

Franz Strondl
Phone: +43 (0)1 – 711 56 – 284