Billink’s integrated GP payments system is being expanded to include special type consultation (STCs) claims for public patients as well as private patient payments.

The new service, called BillinkServ, is the result of a collaboration between Billink Payments and medical billing service MedServ.

Launched in 2021 by Galway GP Seán Higgins, Billink currently serves more than 700 GPs and consultants in Ireland, providing remote payment links, integrated virtual terminals and desktop physical card terminals.

To date, the system has focused on processing private payments and there has long been a desire for an integrated system that combines both private fees and public claims.

MedServ’s GPServ has been a popular choice among Irish GPs for nearly five years. The software streamlines the STC submission process to just 30 seconds, without the need for any manual input.

BillinkServ leverages the capabilities of both providers to create a billing system specifically designed for the healthcare sector.

The software integrates directly into all current GPIT accredited systems, including Socrates, HPM, HealthOne, and CompleteGP. Initially BillinkServ will be available within Socrates. Further rollout will continue with other systems and will expand to private consultants next year.

“Practices have been asking for this solution for quite a while,” Dr Higgins said. “Better integration means more time saved, allowing admin and clinical team members to focus more on patient care.

MedServ CEO Cormac Loughrey said BillinkServ will be rolled out existing GPServ customers once this system goes live in September.

GP practices from around the country have been commenting on the new system. Maureen Clarke, office manager at the Carlton GP Clinic in Bray, said: “We’ve been looking for this solution for a long time, and we’re delighted it’s finally coming.

“Public and private claim tracking, submission, and reconciliation are incredibly time-consuming and crucially important to practices.”