Q1. What is iPractice, and how does it differ from traditional PMS software?
iPractice is an Australian-hosted, all-in-one cloud-based Practice Management Software (PMS). Unlike traditional systems that require expensive server hardware and manual maintenance, iPractice is instantly accessible via any web browser. It uniquely integrates a unified appointment system, prepaid billing, and intrinsic video telehealth capability, eliminating external video links (like Zoom or Teams) entirely.
Q2. Is iPractice IRAP Compliant, and where is my data stored?
Yes. iPractice is secured by Google servers located in Sydney, Australia, and is fully compliant with the Australian Signals Directorate's Information Security Registered Assessor Program (IRAP). This provides one of the highest standards of data protection and security assurance available in Australia for cloud services.
Q3. Does iPractice eliminate the need for my physical server hardware?
Absolutely. iPractice operates on a pure, server-free cloud architecture. You can eliminate the cost, maintenance, and IT overhead associated with managing physical servers, backups, and operating system licenses entirely.
Q4. What is the "Prepaid Appointment Management" feature?
This feature allows you to require patients to secure their booking by pre-paying the session fee online. This significantly reduces revenue loss from no-shows and late cancellations, especially critical for high-demand mental health services (Psychiatrists/Psychologists).
Q5. How does the "Bulk Bill Override" work with prepaid appointments?
Prepaid appointments guarantee revenue, but clinical flexibility is essential. After the consultation, the doctor retains the inbuilt capability to override the payment status and process the consultation as a Bulk Bill claim if clinically appropriate, ensuring the patient is not charged.
Q6. Is the video telehealth software built-in, or do I need a third-party application?
The video telehealth capability is intrinsic to the iPractice platform. This means your patients do not need to download or use external software (like Zoom, MS Teams, or Skype). The consultation is generated directly within your PMS appointment with ring notification, simplifying access and ensuring clinical-grade security.
Q7. How does iPractice handle Medicare Online Claiming?
iPractice processes Medicare Online Claim submissions in real-time. The system performs instant verification of the patient’s Medicare card and the practitioner's provider number before the claim is submitted, accelerating payments and drastically reducing rejection rates.
Q8. Which professional groups does iPractice cater to?
iPractice is designed for a wide range of Australian healthcare providers, including General Practitioners (GPs), Specialists, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Nurse Practitioners, and Allied Health Professionals.
Q9. Can I manage both in-clinic and telehealth bookings in one calendar?
Yes. iPractice features a single, unified appointment management system. This system handles all online reservations, telephone, and walk-in bookings across both face-to-face and video telehealth modalities seamlessly.
Q10. How does iPractice integrate with my existing calendar (Google/Outlook)?
The platform features integrated calendar synchronization capabilities that automatically sync your iPractice schedule with your personal or professional Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook calendar, instantly preventing scheduling conflicts.
Q11. Does iPractice support electronic prescribing (eRx)?
Yes, iPractice features full integration with the eRx® and MIMS® systems, allowing practitioners to generate and manage secure electronic prescriptions (eScripts) directly from the platform.
Q12. What are the key security features of iPractice?
Beyond IRAP compliance, iPractice ensures end-to-end data encryption, automated data backups, and multi-factor authentication. Being cloud-based eliminates the vulnerability risks associated with physically storing sensitive patient data on local, easily compromised hardware.
Q13. What is the cost model for iPractice?
iPractice operates on a transparent, single-license subscription model. This eliminates hidden costs associated with traditional PMS licenses, online appointment, Management plug-ins, separate video conferencing subscriptions, IT maintenance, and server upgrades.
