BudgetMatch^SM Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is BudgetMatch^SM?

BudgetMatch^SM is a service that streamlines and simplifies the capital equipment budgeting process for hospitals and health systems. It also provides a more competitive estimate of your actual capital outlay, and up to 18% savings on equipment purchases.

2. Who developed BudgetMatch^SM?

BudgetMatch^SM is a product of Amerinet, a group purchasing organization that promotes quality health care delivery and helps all types of providers more effectively manage their total spend.

The services and software of BudgetMatch^SM have been co-developed in a unique partnership between Amerinet and MEMdata, a technology management firm that specializes in capital equipment procurement, budgeting, research, planning and related activities for healthcare organizations.

3. What will BudgetMatch^SM do for my organization?

BudgetMatch^SM provides the following features and benefits surrounding the capital equipment budgeting function:

• A central repository of your capital equipment budget data stored online.
• Hardbound budget binders for key staff members at your hospital or health system.
• The ability to update your budget, including additions and deletions of line items, throughout the dynamic budgeting process.
• Automated charting and summaries by department and calendar quarter.
• The ability to forecast the calendar quarter in which a specific item will be purchased.
• The ability to track actual purchases as they are made throughout the fiscal year.
• Unlimited ability to update, save and print your budget as changes are made prior to finalizing.
• Exportable to Excel or Acrobat.
• Depreciation Schedules (Useful Lives) of all assets in your Capital Budget.
• An accurate forecast of your expected actual capital equipment cost versus budgetary quotations, which tend to be significantly higher. This key feature provides a highly accurate capital allocation forecast, ensuring additional critical patient care and support assets can be included within your limited capital equipment funding availability.
• Unlimited licensing and access to the system for your personnel.
• Up to 18% savings available to your hospital or health system on your entire capital equipment budget.

4. Who from my organization can access BudgetMatch^SM?

All personnel you specify may access BudgetMatch^SM and use it throughout the budget deliberation process. This ensures one centralized place to capture budget data, rather than individual spreadsheets and documents maintained throughout the hospital or health system. This approach also eliminates the need to repeatedly collect numerous documents from outlying departments and combine them into one repeatedly.

5. What are the fees for these services?

In a unique cost-sharing collaboration between MEMdata and Amerinet, BudgetMatch^SM services are significantly discounted. For specific information about pricing contact MEMdata toll free at 866-695-1950.

6. How do I sign up for BudgetMatch^SM?

1. Go to www.memdata.com and click the “Budget Match” tab and simply complete the form provided. Upon completion, a user name and password will be assigned to you, and a MEMdata representative will schedule a live demo and short 10 minute training session to begin utilizing the user-friendly and powerful features of BudgetMatch^SM immediately.

7. What if I have questions or need assistance after the demo?

MEMdata is committed to the very best in member services. A help desk is available Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm, Central time. Simply call toll free (866) 695-1950 and dial “0” for immediate assistance from a representative.

8. Is my budget data safe?

Yes. Your budget database is password protected utilizing 128-bit encryption technology. In addition, you have our total commitment to the confidentiality of your information.

9. What file format is required for my budget?

An electronic, formatted spreadsheet is required. Microsoft Excel is preferred, but most electronic file formats can be accommodated.

10. Are there any software downloads or conversions required to utilize this service?

Only a PDF viewer, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader™, is required. No conversions are necessary. MEMdata uses the Internet standard PDF file format. This is a common file format (.PDF) that allows documents to be to be easily viewed and / or printed so that formatting is not lost. Viewing PDF files requires a special viewer, usually a standard install for most computers. We recommend Adobe Reader since it is free and usually already installed on most computers. If it is not already installed, it can be downloaded from Adobe by clicking here. You may need permission from your computer management group before installing software.

11. Do I have to sign up with MEMdata to use BudgetMatch^SM?

No.

12. Do I have to utilize Amerinet equipment contracts to use BudgetMatch^SM?

No.

13. How long will it take to complete my BudgetMatch^SM?

Approximately two weeks.

14. At what point in the budget process should I begin using BudgetMatch^SM?

At any time. Because you can update it, track changes, and print repeatedly, you can start any time.

15. I already have a system to create and track my budget. Why use BudgetMatch^SM?

Because we believe we have designed the best, most affordable and user-friendly system available. In addition, we know of no other system that provides the competitive price forecasting and actual cost reductions of BudgetMatch^SM.

16. My budget changes a lot before it is completed. Does BudgetMatch^SM address this?

Yes! BudgetMatch^SM allows you to change your budget as many times as necessary before finalizing it; you simply make your changes as needed, print out the latest version, and insert it into the binder provided.

17. Why are Amerinet and MEMdata offering BudgetMatch^SM?

Amerinet and MEMdata, and most importantly our members, have enjoyed a highly successful partnership which began in 2004. From the beginning, both organizations shared a vision to improve one of the most challenging areas of total spend management in healthcare…capital equipment.

Through this exclusive partnership, Amerinet members and MEMdata clients have experienced millions in real, documented cost reduction in capital equipment procurement and services.

BudgetMatch^SM represents the latest step in an ongoing vision to provide fundamental change, enhanced services, and critically important cost reduction services to members. We hope you decide to enroll in the program.

18. Who should I call for more information?

• David Simpson, MEMdata Chief Information Officer. (866) 695-1950 x108
• Mike Reid, Amerinet Senior Director, Construction, Capital & Facility Services (877) 711-5600 x223