Switching Cost Calculator
Compare per-claim vs percentage-based switching fees in rands — at your actual monthly billing volume — against the Panacea public benchmark.
| Model | Monthly cost | Annual cost | vs Panacea |
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Estimates cover switching fees only. They do not include PMS licence fees, billing bureau fees, benefit check fees, ERA tools, SMS/patient communication costs, tariff data subscriptions or once-off migration fees. Confirm total cost of ownership across all layers before signing any contract.
How to read the result
The calculator shows switching-cost exposure only. If your result shows a large difference between per-claim and percentage-based pricing, that difference is the starting point for your next vendor conversation — not the whole story.
Switching fees are one of five cost lines in a typical SA billing stack. The others — PMS licence, bureau fees, patient communication tools, ERA tools and tariff data subscriptions — can equal or exceed the switching fee in some configurations. Always model the full stack before evaluating any quote.
Use the result as a question tool, not a final decision. Print it. Take it into your vendor meeting. Ask the vendor to justify their model against the Panacea benchmark — in writing.
Before signing — ask for these cost lines in writing
- Monthly PMS / PMA licence fee — base cost, per user or per site
- Switching / EDI fee — per claim, percentage of claim value, or bundled into the licence?
- Billing bureau fee — if applicable: gross billings, net collections or fixed retainer?
- Benefit check fees — included or separately charged per query?
- ERA, reconciliation and reporting tools — included or subscription?
- SMS, WhatsApp and patient communication fees — per message or bundled?
- Medprax / iQest / tariff data update costs — included in licence or separate annual fee?
- Once-off setup, migration and training fees — what is included at no cost?
- Data export and exit rights — format, timeline, cost to access your own data on cancellation
Need help interpreting a quote?
If the calculator reveals a gap between what you're being charged and what the public benchmark suggests, GoMedPay can review the billing-system cost structure for your practice before you commit to any vendor, bureau or migration.