Preparing to Send a File

Once you have created and named your submission file (i.e. MCPA0822) it is time to send it to Xact for processing. Xact uses a straight forward Unix bulletin board style system.  Zterm emulates a VT100 terminal for connecting and communicating with the Unix host computer.  Using Zterm’s scripting language, we have setup up Zterm to respond to all (well, most) of the host computer’s “prompts”.  At the appropriate time you will have to manually find and send the upload file you created.

PracticeMaker® has been programmed to find Zterm and make it the foremost application. To do this go to the main menu of ECS Control and click on the Open Telecom button. This opens Zterm which then checks for the presence of a modem. If it sees one you get an “OK” on screen.

The Dial menu has several selections. If you are sending claims you would select MCPASend. To receive a file, such as a reconciliation, or 5001/5004 report, you would select MCPAReceive.

When you select one of these, Zterm will dial Xact Medicare, using the modem selected, logon, send your password and then leave you ready to submit claims.

Before actually signing on please review the next several pages!

Sending An Eclaims File

On the next few pages is an actual logon session with Xact. Zterm dials the phone number, answers most of the prompts and leave you at a point where YOU need to press a few buttons, find the file to send and just wait.

Bold print identifies “prompts” that Zterm or you would need to respond.

Bold Italic print is Zterm’s programmed (or your own) response to those prompts!

Printing in bold (for your information) is added by us for your information!

Arrows ß point to other specific points of interest

If you elect not to use Zterm, and use another modem program, you we will to respond to these prompts manually by typing in the correct response!

Under no circumstances should you feel afraid or intimidated by this whole process. It is my personal experience that Xact Medicare is very straight forward and the system somewhat forgiving. As the Nike folks say, “Just do it”.

At this point do the following.

·    Press -S to get the Send file dialog below

·    Change to the Send directory inside the Zterm directory (which is inside PracticeMaker) if needed.

·    Double-click on the filename to send and click Start. When the process starts you get the dialog on the right. If the progress bar does not move after 30 seconds than something is wrong and it is better to hang up (press -H) then wait around.

 

When the Zmodem Send dialog finally disappears, it takes a few moments for Xact to respond. When it does, the session continues as shown below.