Medicare Certificate Store (PKI Store)

Medicare use a system called public key infrastructure to ensure that messages sent between Medicare and practices are safely encrypted. To do this, each practice has encryption certificates issued to them which are stored in a file locally and used to encrypt and decrypt messages.

In Medilink, the PKI store file is commonly 'hic.psi', and is normally in the 'C:\Program Files\HICOnline' folder of each workstation, (if not, in Medilink go to 'Links'->'Configure HICOnline' and you will see the location under the 'PSI Store Location' section).

Due to the nature of most Medilink setups, any changes that you make to this store file will need to applied to other store files on your network; the simplest method of doing so is to 'fix' one then copy that 'hic.psi' file across to any other workstation that uses HICOnline in your practice, (unless specifically set up, most Medilink practices will have multiple copies of the same 'hic.psi' file across multiple machines).

For more information please see: http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/provider/vendors/pki/cert-manager.jsp, or read our guide on 'PKI Certificate Manager' http://www.medilink.com.au/docs/How To Install Medicare PKI Certificates.pdf, (this guide is complete with screen shots).

Alternatively, call Medicare on 1300 550 115 or Medilink on 1800 623 633 or 07 3895 8899, (please note however, due to the current call volumes, you may not get through immediately, please be patient).

PKI Certificate Manager

To create/edit the 'hic.psi' file you will need Medicare's PKI Certificate Manager control panel applet. This can be downloaded here: http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/provider/vendors/pki/files/pki_certificate_manager_installer_windows_v2-3-15.zip.

Once installed, this can be executed from the (32bit) control panel, or by typing 'psiapplet.cpl' from the run dialog.

Creating HIC.PSI

You can create a new 'hic.psi' file using this utility. You must have your Medicare certificate media, (CD at time of writing), and a letter with your PIC on it, (these are sent seperately similar to a bank card).

When prompted, click on 'Create New Store' and follow the prompts.

It is highly recommended that you save the store file at 'C:\Program Files\HICOnline\hic.psi', (if not you must edit the location of the 'hic.psi' file setting in Medilink).

Editing HIC.PSI

Before making any changes you must back up your existing 'hic.psi' file; simply copying it will suffice.

This will prompt you to choose your 'hic.psi' file, and it will typically be at 'C:\Program Files\HICOnline\hic.psi'.

Error 9204

If you suddenly receive transmission errors, (9204), as of Jan 23rd 2010, you may need to cleanup your Medicare certificates in your PKI store.

Open your store file, (instructions above), and go to 'Store', 'Advance' and then 'Cleanup' to remove these.

Error 3009

If you suddenly receive unexplainable transmission errors, (3009), as of June 1st 2009, you may need to update your Medicare certificates in your PKI store, as Medicare have changed their own certificates.

Open your store file, (instructions above), and go to 'Store' and 'Initialize Defaults'.

Afterwards go to 'Store', 'Advance' and then 'Cleanup' to remove unneccessary certificates.