Real-time access to practice numbers and healthcare service provider data is now possible with PCNS 2.0, a new website for the Practice Code Number System (PCNS) recently launched by the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF).

The real-time search capability is a major enhancement and one that necessitated a complete redevelopment of the PCN application. This formed part of the second phase of an extensive system revamp initiated by BHF’s PCN division last year.

Until now users, who needed to verify that a practice exists in order to process a claim, experienced a 24-hour information delay. This, in turn, resulted in corresponding hold-ups with the actual processing of claims.

The new PCNS 2.0 search facility is real-time, which means that there is no delay in information. As the database is updated with new service provider data and new practices and practice code numbers are added, PCNS users will have the information at their fingertips – literally.

With PCNS 2.0 user registration for healthcare funding organisations has also been expedited and simplified. Until now, funders had to email BHF and request an account, username and access to practice number information when they needed to process a claims reimbursement. This was a tedious and cumbersome procedure, which resulted in unnecessary delays.

As of 1 April 2020, companies no longer need to contact the PCN division at BHF in order to gain access. With PCNS 2.0, everything has been streamlined and user account registration can quickly be done online, with account approval within 24-hours during business days for all new user registrations.

Improved security protocols and new database technologies employed as part of the new development also meant that old user accounts could not be transferred to the new system. As a result, all healthcare funding organisations will have to re-register on the PCNS 2.0 website at https://www.pcns.co.za in order to gain access to all the new functionalities.

Existing users should also reset browser bookmarks to the new URL – https://www.pcns.co.za – thereby ensuring they don’t access the old system by default. Both new and old systems will be running in parallel for a short period, in order to ease the transition to PCNS 2.0.

CLICK ON THE DOCUMENTATION BELOW to find out more about the registration process on PCNS 2.0

Effective 1 May 2021, the new PCNS contact centre number will be 087 210 0500. If you require more information, visit https://www.pcns.co.za or get in touch with the PCNS team via email at clientservices@bhfglobal.com.