We Know Your Industry

DCS has compiled a list of healthcare-focused companies that are currently EDI-active. View our list to see if any of these companies are a key customer of yours. Contact Data Communication Solutions (DCS) today and we can ask the company’s I.T. department (not the buyer) for their EDI guidelines to get the process started.

As a GS1 member, DCS knows your industry and it’s specific requirements. We bring you the most up-to-date knowledge with our weekly blog post, best paired with our years of experience.

DCS recently attended a GS1 webinar and learned some membership changes that may affect you. The changes include capacity based pricing and only takes affect for new prefix license requests. For example, if you have 10 company prefixes the cost is $250 and a $50 renew. For 1,000 it is $2,500 and $500 for renew. The sales revenue component has been eliminated. GS1 recommends new members take in to consideration the number of products which need company prefixes which range in size, color and package configuration.

GS1 also took the time to dispel a few myths including that prefixes assigned by GS1 US are always 6 digit or that a GS1 company prefix and a U.P.C. Company Prefix are the same thing. Another myth is that annual license renewal for company prefix is only required if you want to create a new GTIN. This is incorrect, license renewal is required every year.

EDI for Medical and Pharmaceutical Providers

DCS Understands Healthcare EDI

We can help with:

Medical Products ManufacturingPharmaceutical ProvidersHealthcare Providers and HIPAA Compliance

Different methods of EDI are required for pharmaceutical providers, manufacturers of medical products, and providers, such as hospitals and clinics. While the underlying concepts are similar, the EDI documents are different.

  • Manufacturers use EDI for the product order-to-payment cycle. These are the familiar INbound Purchase Order, OUTbound Shipment Notice, and OUTbound Invoice; plus other documents such as Chargebacks.
  • Pharmaceutical companies also use EDI for the order-to-payment cycle. Yet they must follow stringent requirements related to Lot tracing, expiration, and other controls needed for the disbursement of drugs.
  • Providers use EDI for eligibility, claims, and appeals with payers such as Blue Cross. Their EDI activity is stipulated by HIPAA.

DCS EDI  Experience Counts

Integration and development must honor your time proven processes and also produce cost savings and reliability.  During the past decade, the glory of XML and Internet has dimmed due to the time intensiveness of data definition.  This intensity has resulted in standardization so the time needed to launch is less.  The best solution can be a combination of automation for high volume documents such as orders and claims and a manual Web form for low volume documents such prices or locations.

To adapt, you must integrate carefully and economically.  Experience counts.  Integration and development must honor your time proven processes and yet offer cost savings for reliability and economy.  You cannot be isolated from all the changes; DCS EDI consultants can help. Your first step is to ask about our no-cost assessment.