Quick Start Guide for the Medi-Cal Web Site

Quick Start Guide for the Medi-Cal Web Site
 

Introduction

This Quick Start Guide will familiarize you with the Medi-Cal Web site so you can begin using its products and services in your day-to-day operations. Topics covered in this guide include:

  • Hardware and software requirements and suggestions for optimum viewing
  • Publications available on the Medi-Cal Web site and where you can find them
  • Medi-Cal transactions that can be performed using Transaction Services
  • Resources available to you if assistance is needed with the Medi-Cal Web site

System Requirements

OVERVIEW
This section discusses hardware and software requirements as well as configuration recommendations for maximizing your experience with the Medi-Cal Web site.

Basic requirements are as follows:

  • Printer (if you intend to print downloaded publications)
  • Latest version of an Internet browser (older versions may work but they may not support certain technologies used on the Medi-Cal Web site)
  • Specific software applications for viewing documents online and performing Medi-Cal transactions

 

HARDWARE
Computer: Windows 98 operating system or higher; Pentium I processor (1.33 MHz) or higher; minimum 32 MB RAM

Modem Speed: Minimum 28 kilobits per second (KBps)

Monitor: Any monitor will work, but for best viewing results a 17-inch monitor or larger with a resolution set to 1024 x 768 is recommended.

Printer: A PostScript printer is recommended for printing publications downloaded from the Medi-Cal Web site. Most printers sold today support PostScript, but older printers may not.

Internet Connection: Any type of Internet connection will work, but a broadband connection, such as DSL or cable, is recommended for fastest page viewing and document downloading.

 

SOFTWARE
Browser: Internet Explorer (IE) version 5.0 or higher, or Netscape Navigator version 6.2 or higher. Older browser versions may work but they may not support certain technologies used on the Medi-Cal Web site. For best results, we recommend using the most current browser version, which can be downloaded through the Web Tool Box page of the Medi-Cal Web site. Note: Your browser may need to be configured to interpret JavaScript and accept cookies. Configuring your browser is discussed below.

Acrobat Reader: Acrobat Reader is required to view document files in Portable Document Format (PDF). These files have a .pdf extension. Reader can be downloaded for free through the Web Tool Box page of the Medi-Cal Web site.

Word or Word 97/2000 Viewer: Documents not in PDF format are offered in Microsoft Word format. These files have a .doc extension. To view these documents, you need either Word or Word 97/2000 Viewer installed on your machine. Word requires a license and is not available as a free download. Word 97/2000 Viewer is free and can be downloaded through the Web Tool Box page of the Medi-Cal Web site.

Macromedia Flash Player: Macromedia Flash Player is required only if you are going to perform Medi-Cal transactions through the Medi-Cal Web site. Otherwise, you do not need to install this software. Macromedia Flash Player can be downloaded through the Web Tool Box page of the Medi-Cal Web site.

WinZip or PKZip: Many documents offered on the Medi-Cal Web site are also available in Zip format, which is a compressed format that reduces file sizes and download times. These files have a .zip extension. After downloading a Zip file, you must uncompress, or "unzip," the file to view the document(s) inside. WinZip or PKZip is required for unzipping. You can download an evaluation version of WinZip for free or purchase PKZip through the Web Tool Box page of the Medi-Cal Web site.

 

CONFIGURING YOUR BROWSER
After downloading a browser, it must be configured to interpret JavaScript and accept cookies. Instructions are below. Configuration steps are different for Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator.

Internet Explorer 6.0

  • Click Tools on the menu bar and select Internet Options. The Internet Options dialog box displays.
  • Click the Privacy tab of the Internet Options dialog box and select the Medium or lower level of security.
  • Click the Advanced tab. Scroll down and select the checkbox for JIT compiler for virtual screen enabled (requires restart). A checkmark displays in the box.
  • Click OK. The setting is recorded by the browser, but you must restart your computer for the setting to take effect.

Netscape Navigator 6.2

  • Click Edit on the menu bar and select Preferences. The Preferences dialog box displays.
  • In the Category panel, click Privacy & Security, then Cookies. Select Enable all cookies.
  • Click Advanced and select Enable JavaScript for Navigator. A checkmark displays in the box.
  • Click OK. The setting is recorded by the browser and you return to the browser window.

Publications

All Medi-Cal publications are offered on the Medi-Cal Web site. These include:

  • Monthly Medi-Cal Updates
  • Medi-Cal provider manuals
  • Provider enrollment forms/agreements
  • Various user guides for both Internet and Point of Service (POS) Medi-Cal transactions

Medi-Cal publications are offered in Word and/or PDF format. Some publications are also offered in Zip format. If your computer does not have the necessary software installed to view these files, visit the Web Tool Box for links to free software downloads. For more information about the software required to view documents on the Medi-Cal Web site, refer to the System Requirements – Software section of this user guide.

Transaction Services

Overview
Many Medi-Cal transactions can be performed through the Transaction Services area of the Medi-Cal Web site. To use Transaction Services, you must complete a Medi-Cal Point of Service (POS) Network/Internet Agreement and Medi-Cal Telecommunications Provider and Biller Application/Agreement. For more information, refer to the CMC, CMC Enrollment Procedures and Electronic Methods for Eligibility Transactions and Claim Submissions sections of the Part 1 provider manual.

The following transactions and services are available through the Transaction Services area of the Medi-Cal Web site. The specific transactions and services available to you depend on the user ID and password used to log on.

  • ANSI ASC X12 835 Transaction
  • ANSI ASC X12 837 Transaction
  • Automated Provider Services
  • Automated Remittance Data Services (ARDS)
  • Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (BCCTP) Enrollment
  • California Children's Services (CCS) and Genetically Handicapped Persons Program (GHPP) Downloads
  • Cancer Detection Programs: Every Woman Counts Application
  • Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) Gateway
  • Computer Media Claims (CMC) Upload and Inquiry
  • County Mental Health (CMH)
  • County Organized Health Systems (COHS) Downloads
  • Family PACT Transactions
  • Internet Batch Eligibility (IBE) Processing
  • Internet Professional Claim Submission (IPCS)
  • Lab Service Reservation System (LSRS)
  • Managed Care/Insurance Carrier Uploads and Downloads
  • Medicare Drug Pricing
  • Medi-Services
  • National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) Response File Downloads
  • Public Downloads
  • Real Time Internet Pharmacy (RTIP)
  • Recipient Eligibility
  • Service Bureau Uploads
  • Share of Cost

To perform transactions through the Medi-Cal Web site, click Transaction Services on the home page to open the Transaction Services logon page. Enter your user ID and password (which displays as asterisks for security) and click Submit. Below is an example of the Transaction Services logon page as well as information about user IDs and passwords.

After you click Submit, your user ID and password are authenticated by the Medi-Cal system. Once authenticated, the Transaction Services page displays, listing services/transactions available to you based on your user ID and password. If your user ID and/or password cannot be authenticated, an error message displays. If you feel you have not made an error after two or three attempts, call the Telephone Service Center (TSC) at 1-800-541-5555 and select the option for POS/Internet.

When you are finished performing transactions, click Exit to exit Transaction Services.

Logon Page

Transaction Services Logon Page

Logon instructions:

  1. Enter your user ID.
  2. Enter your password.
  3. Click Submit.

Once your user ID and password are authenticated, the Transaction Services page displays, listing services and transactions available to you based on your user ID and password. Below is an example of the Transaction Services page.

Example of Available Transactions

Example of Available TransactionsThis example Transaction Services page displays links to available transactions. The transactions that display depend on the user ID and password used to log on. The page at left is for illustration purposes only; the transactions available to you may be different from those that appear in this example.

Depending on your browser settings, you may receive the following prompt when you click links to certain transactions:

"This page contains both secure and nonsecure items. Do you want to display the nonsecure items?"

If you receive this prompt, click Yes.

Below is information about Internet security.

Internet Security
The Medi-Cal Web site uses Internet security systems that employ the latest and most powerful encryption technology available. All data submitted through Transaction Services is secure and confidential.

Most browsers display an icon, such as a key or a lock, in the lower right corner of the window to indicate a Web page that is in a secure, encrypted mode. A broken key or open lock icon indicates that the mode is not secure. To confirm that you are in a secure mode when using Transaction Services, look for the key or lock in the lower right corner of the browser window.

These icons for Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator are as follows:

Internet Explorer "Secure Mode" Icon         Netscape Navigator "Secure Mode" Icon

Resources

Your primary resource for questions or problems with the Medi-Cal Web site is the Telephone Service Center (TSC) at
1-800-541-5555. From the TSC main menu, select the option for POS- and Internet-related inquiries, then select the option for POS devices, downloads, the Internet and CHDP Gateway. More information about the Telephone Service Center is available on the Call Centers and Other Phone Resources page of the Medi-Cal Web site.

Before calling the TSC, you are encouraged to explore resources available on the Medi-Cal Web site itself, which include:

  • The Web Tool Box, which contains links to free software downloads
  • The Site Map, which can assist in navigating the Medi-Cal Web site
  • The Medi-Cal System Status page, which informs providers of significant issues pertaining to Medi-Cal systems (except the POS system)
  • The Medi-Cal POS System Status page, which informs providers of significant issues specific to the POS system