By Lewellyn Moodley, Senior Sales Manager for Private Practice Networks, Altron HealthTech

Still a fan of the yellow file? Paper-based billing and administration has lost its appeal in a modern-day medical practice, which is why Altron HealthTech is rewriting the script –digitally. Here’s how our solutions help medical practices operate like the modern, streamlined and optimised businesses they should be.

In an industry defined by constant evolution and patient demands, adaptability is non-negotiable in the healthcare space. Yet, despite global advances in healthcare technology, thousands of local clinicians are stuck in the analogue era – relying on yellow files, manual claims submissions and outdated workflows.

This isn’t sustainable for anyone, especially in an era where patients and healthcare professionals are as time-poor as each other, which is where digitisation comes in. A digitised practice not only increases efficiency but enhances one-on-one engagement, improving the overall patient experience and strengthening the business behind the care.

According to Lewellyn Moodley, Senior Sales Manager for Private Practice Networks at Altron HealthTech, the reality is simple: “Doctors are trained to practice medicine. Business management isn’t typically part of their curriculum, which is where we come in. It’s our aim at Altron HealthTech to help doctors manage their businesses more efficiently, while lifting their administrative burden.”

Smarter practice management

The pressure on doctors to deliver care quickly and effectively is growing – but so is the burden of admin. Tasks like filing paper records, submitting manual medical aid claims and drafting written prescriptions all cost valuable time and resources that could be better spent on patient engagement.

Altron HealthTech’s practice management applications (PMAs) are designed to mitigate these unnecessary costs. From online bookings and automated benefit checks to real-time claims and billing, Altron HealthTech’s digital solutions remove time-consuming barriers.

“The minute a patient walks through the door, practices should be able to confirm that the patient is on a medical aid, and whether or not they have coverage. Our PMAs do that (and more) automatically,” says Moodley.

From validating medical aid benefits in real-time to automating billing and reconciling payments, Altron HealthTech’s solutions streamline practice processes. They remove friction from the moment a patient books an appointment to the moment they settle their claim.

"Thanks to our billing software, once a consultation is complete, the practice administrator immediately receives billing instructions and can submit the patient’s claim to the medical aid in real time, clarifying their payment status immediately,” says Moodley.

By automating everything from appointment scheduling to claim reconciliation (via electronic remittance advices – eRAs), the system reduces human error, prevents underbilling, and improves cash flow. Altron HealthTech even manages tariffs across all major medical aids to ensure revenue is maximised.

A fully digitised clinical journey

But it’s not just about alleviating billing burdens – it’s about delivering better care. Digital tools allow healthcare providers to access a patient’s full medical history instantly. This allows for faster, more accurate diagnoses and more meaningful consultations.

“When a doctor isn’t distracted by paperwork, they can truly engage with the patient. And that’s where real transformation happens,” says Moodley.

Moreover, tools like e-prescriptions and digital referrals reduce resource waste and confusion. If a patient forgets the name of their medication, doctors can retrieve it instantly from cloud-based records. And with optimised workflows, clinicians can see more patients each day without compromising the quality of their care.

Secure, cloud-based and POPIA-compliant

Access to big data means the healthcare industry has an even bigger responsibility. This is why Altron HealthTech’s cloud-based platforms are triple-encrypted and POPIA-compliant, keeping patient information protected and confidential.

“There’s no onus on our clients to buy storage space or maintain data infrastructure,” says Moodley. “Even if a computer crashes or there’s a virus in your system, your data and patient details stay secure.”

Altron HealthTech’s cloud-based systems also remove the need for physical storage space and expensive infrastructure, making it a cost-effective and secure choice for practices of any size.

Empowering conversations, accelerating revenue

No two healthcare practices are the same. Each clinician faces unique frustrations, from billing uncertainty to navigating medical aid tariffs. That’s why Altron HealthTech takes an all-in-one approach: digitising and automating wherever possible to create seamless doctor-patient communication and real-time decision-making.

Whether you need to check benefits, manage payment plans, or validate medical aid coverage instantly, Altron HealthTech’s tools empower you to manage expectations upfront, boosting both patient satisfaction and financial stability.

“Digitising your practice ensures optimised billing, streamlined processes and, ultimately, better patient care,” says Moodley. “It allows your practice not just to survive, but to thrive as a sustainable business. This is what transforms the baseline of healthcare – through technology – one solution at a time.”

For more on Altron HealthTech’s flagship PMA, Elixir Live, click here. Or if you’re looking for more information about HealthONE, the future of cloud-based electronic health records, click here.