Database vendor, Sybase, has won a deal with Australian health fund Medibank Private as part of a strategic program to automate the processing of member benefits and improve the flexibility of its IT environment to offer new services.

The health fund’s decision to overhaul its legacy systems with Eternity Private Health’s iMed software running on a Sybase platform forms a central component of Medibank Private’s Business Systems Renewal program, which aims to enhance Medibank Private’s claims processing system and improve customer service.

Medibank Private CIO, Surinder Singh, said, "Following a strategic review to align business and IT strategies, we have partnered with Eternity, along with Sybase, to provide the software platform and tools to build the new systems that will run our core business processes.

“Sybase is a reliable vendor with a strong industry reputation.  We believe the technology is the right choice to help us deliver improved service quality to our nearly three million members and improve the customer experience,” he said.

Medibank Private’s selection includes Sybase PowerDesigner and PowerBuilder tools to design and develop its new generation of core systems.

In addition, Medibank Private will implement Sybase Real-Time Data Services (RTDS) to streamline the delivery of time-critical information from internal databases to health service providers and members.

Eternity Health’s Cumulus iMed transaction engine uses Sybase as the main repository for data for the processing and calculation of Medibank Private’s premiums, assessment of claims, calculation of benefits, policy and product details, and provider contract information.

According to Cornel Viljoen, Group CIO, Eternity Health, “Cumulus iMed is a customer centric system that has focused around imbedded workflow for claims processing, CRM reporting, provider contract management and contributor collection.  We look forward to working with both Medibank Private and Sybase in what is both our largest and first major deal in Australia.”

Medibank Private has nearly three million members, 107 retail centres for direct customer service delivery, a national call centre and self-service web access. It accounts for almost 30% of the private health insurance market, and delivers health insurance products to Australians as well as overseas visitors and the overseas student market.

“We look forward to providing the Fund, over the next 18 months, with the expertise that will help it continue to meet its promise of providing customers with performance and service excellence," said Rob Zalums, managing director Australia/New Zealand, Sybase.

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