What are the advantages of elligence over CompuMedic?

Some key advantages are:

• More secure database program: MS SQL Server (described below)
• Client server technology: elligence is more robust - able to handle larger databases and more users at the same time.
• HL7 interfaces: Allow for easier connections to other software programs, e.g. EMR systems.
• Full featured mobile computing solutions: Allow charge capture, scheduling, prescriptions, and interactions to be performed off-site.
• Accounts Receivable Management: Includes a sophisticated collection system
• Simpler user interface: Designed to be easier to use, especially on billing screens - including quick re-billing from the Ledger. Includes extensive Help Resources
• Eligibility Checking: Real-time for some Payers; Batch Mode for others. Saves time and money!
• Do-it-yourself, HIPAA-compliant electronic claims connections. Additional clearinghouses for claims, eligibility and remittance: McKesson and ENS
• Advanced features: elligence has been written from the ground up. It builds on CompuMedic but incorporates many suggestions and enhancements throughout the program.

See Overview of the Differences between elligence and CompuMedic for an overview of the differences between CompuMedic and elligence, and Detailed Differences between elligence and CompuMedic for more information.

How much will it cost?

There are two general categories of costs: those payable to DSI or our authorized reseller and those payable to other parties.

What fees are payable to DSI?

1. An Upgrade Fee
2. Data Conversion Fees
3. Training Fees
4. Fees for any custom programming that was performed for your office in CompuMedic and is still needed in elligence.

Must our data be converted?

Yes - CompuMedic for Windows uses Microsoft Access as the database. elligence uses another Microsoft product - Microsoft SQL (pronounced SEQUEL) Server as the database program. Although Microsoft Access is a good, reliable database program, Microsoft considers SQL Server to be its "industrial strength" database program for mission-critical applications. It is a more robust database program, able to handle larger amounts of data, faster and without problems.

Is everything converted?

Virtually all data - patients, charges, payments, adjustments - is converted. However, there are some important setup fields that are not converted. See the document, Differences Between CompuMedic and elligence, available on our website for details.

When do you do the data conversion?

Each of your CompuMedic databases needs to be converted. Normally we do an initial dry-run conversion approximately a month before you "go live" with elligence. Around the time of the dry-run database conversion we also train your staff.

After the dry-run conversion, CompuMedic is still your active day-to-day program. All of your data is still entered into CompuMedic. A small amount of data is also entered into elligence.

Why do you recommend a "dry-run" conversion?

The purpose of the dry-run is to allow you to get familiar with elligence and try all important functions as if you were "live" with elligence. These functions would include all billing functions (electronic claims, statements, paper forms and reports) as well as any other key functions. The purpose is to avoid surprises after you do go live with elligence.

Remember, elligence and CompuMedic are not identical programs - there may be a key report, custom program or other functionality that you depend on that may not exist in elligence or work differently in elligence. The dry run period is the time to determine that.

What do you mean by the "go live" conversion?

Once the dry-run period is over - a second conversion - the "go live" conversion is performed as close to your "go live" date as possible. After the "go live" conversion is performed, elligence becomes your active system and all data is entered into elligence.

What is the cost for each conversion?

The cost is dependent on the size of your CompuMedic database. For databases between 50 and 100MB, the cost is $1500.00 for a "dry-run and "go-live" conversion. If you have many databases, DSI will reduce the cost per database.

Is re-training needed? How much time does it take and what's the cost?

Minimally, two days are recommended. Some offices with large staffs require more. This can be in the form of a) phone training (24 hours), b) training in San Diego or c) training on site at your office. Options a) and b) are priced at $750.00 per day. Option c) is priced at $1200.00 per day plus travel expenses.

Can you sum up the costs that are payable to DSI?

Here are some typical costs to DSI for a 6-10 user CompuMedic system with one database to be converted:

Will my unused Software Maintenance carry-over from CompuMedic to elligence?

Yes - In most cases, your Software Maintenance fee will be the same for elligence as it was for CompuMedic and just switches over to elligence when you "go live" with elligence.

Exceptions:

• If you increase the number of user licenses you have when you switch to elligence, your Software Maintenance fee will change.
• If you continue to use CompuMedic after your elligence "go-live" date and require CompuMedic support, then you will be charged for software Support on both products.

What about options that we previously purchased?

Any option that you previously purchased that exists in elligence is automatically added to your elligence license - you do not need to re-purchase it.

What about any Custom Programs?

Custom programs do not transfer over to elligence. They may no longer be needed due to the way elligence works. If they are needed, please call your Sales Representative to determine the feasibility and costs of providing these in elligence.

What fees are payable to Other Parties?

These fall into three general categories:

1. MS SQL Server - Unless you are a very small office, you will need to purchase MS SQL Server. This product is also sold in term of licenses - which means people who will simultaneously be accessing any of your databases. Typically SQL Server runs on one computer. An unlimited license for one computer is approximately $3000.00 and is purchasable via the web from any authorized MS distributor. Licenses for fewer users cost less.
2. MS Office - elligence use MS Word for its mail merge features such as form letters, payment plan coupons and labels. Elligence also allows most reports to be exported to MS Excel. Each user who needs to perform any of these functions will need Word or Excel installed on their computer.
3. Hardware upgrades - This might be necessary if your Server does not meet or exceed the elligence System Requirements. We also do not recommend that you use your server as a workstation. So, if you have been doing so, you will need to purchase a separate server to run elligence.

We are a very small office - do we still need to purchase SQL Server?

Microsoft offers a free version of SQL Server called MSDE (Microsoft Development Engine). This is a limited version of SQL server. It does not handle databases as large as SQL Server and you do not have the ability to access your database from MSDE. In other words, you can only access your database from elligence. By "small office" we mean up to five people who will be using elligence at the same time.

How Can I See elligence?

Here are some possibilities:

1. A WebDemo: We schedule these at least once per month. You will need a computer with a high-speed Internet connection running Internet Explorer 6.0 or later. You will be given a phone number to dial into and can place the Sales Rep on a speakerphone. During the Demo you will be able to see the Sales Rep's screen.
2. A connection into our server. You will be assigned an Operator name and password and can access elligence as if you were an actual user connecting from a remote location.
3. A visit to an existing client.

Request a Demo Online!

How long will you continue to support CompuMedic?

We will provide our clients with at least a year and possibly two years of advance notice before discontinuing support for CompuMedic. In the meantime, we will continue to support CompuMedic in these ways:

1. By correcting bugs of a substantial nature.
2. By providing updates for adherence to the HIPAA-compliant electronic claims specification.
3. By providing telephone support and training, as needed.

We are not adding major new features to CompuMedic. Should some major change be required, that change will be made in elligence - not CompuMedic.

At the time we do announce a date for ending support on CompuMedic, clients will be advised to switch to elligence.