Argus referrals now Medicare OK
In a triumph of pragmatism over bureaucracy, Medicare have relaxed their rules on what constitutes a valid electronic referral. Referrals sent by Argus are now valid Medicare referrals.
Weren’t they valid before?
Technically speaking, an electronic referral was only Medicare valid if it was digitally signed by an individual certificate. Argus messages are signed with a location certificate. A small difference, but an important one. Any specialists collecting rebates on Argus-delivered referrals might have been at risk.
So what changed?
Last week Medicare announced changes to the Electronic Transactions Act of 1999. In a nutshell, any electronic messages sent between health providers must be encrypted with approved PKI, which Argus message are. Digital signing is not mandatory.
Tell specialists!
Be sure to inform any specialists who have been reluctant to receive referrals that they can now safely do so via Argus.
