Overnight Batch Eligibility Checking (OBEC) is used to validate a health card number and version code before a health service is provided, this can greatly aid in reducing the potential for claims to be rejected.
The health card numbers and version codes are keyed and batched into formatted files to be electronically submitted to the ministry. This OBEC report is then uploaded to the MOH for processing. Eligibility is verified against the ministry’s database based on the date the file is submitted. A response file is returned to the user the next business day, which can be downloaded similar to other MOH billing reports.
An Overnight Batch Report will include any patient health card number for Ontario that has a scheduled appointment.
Reports:
To generate the report, you would need to navigate to Administration > Reports > Overnight Batch:
This page will load with the Begin Date as tomorrow's date, and loading with 4 Days to be included in the report.
The start date could be modified, and the number of days to be included can be altered manually.
The Days indicates that 4 scheduled days are included in the generated report.
By clicking Create Report, a file will be generated:
The file will be in a TXT file type, and the file name will begin with OBECE.
MCEDT Mailbox:
The file would then be automatically placed in the MCEDT Mailbox upload queue to be included in the clinic's next submission to the MOH:
To upload the file, you would need to navigate while still under the Administration panel to Billing > MCEDT Mailbox. By clicking on Upload along the top, we can view the files in the upload queue, and we can see the OBEC report associated with a file type of OBEC.
When clicking on Upload New Files from the main page of the MCEDT Mailbox, the OBEC report will be included along with any generated claim files, to the MOH:
The MOH will then provide a file that would be available for download the next business day.
View MOH Files:
This file would be called REPSPONSE.txt, and would be available under View MOH Files once downloaded from the MCEDT Mailbox using the Download New Files button:
This file will contain a list of the patients processed, and include a Response Code regarding the validation of the health card number:
This report does not interact with the patient charts within OSCAR. It is a reference, and you can make note in the charts that require updating their health card information.
Here is a link to the MOH's guide on the response codes received when validating: Health Card Validation Reference Manual. If you have questions, please contact a MOH representative at 1800-262-6524.
Please be aware that OBEC RESPONSE files do not contain new version codes, only advisement of cards that may be invalid for different reasons.
Real Time Validation:
Health card validation can be completed in real time within the OSCAR system, without submitting an OBEC report to the MOH.
You can check out how to complete validation here with this article.
There are 5 areas to complete validation, including an option for bulk validation on an entire schedule.
- Search bar built into schedule
- Edit An Appointment window
- Master Record
- Invoice Creation (PRO interface)
- HCV button on schedule
Please reach out to Support if you have any questions at help@oscarprodesk.ca