HIPAA faxing guidelines
Posted By: amanda on 2005-11-07
In Reply to: Faxing and HIPAA concerns - just wondering
Fax only when necessary, always verify fax number and ALWAYS use cover sheet. Do not fax hypersensitive PHI. 
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Faxing and HIPAA concerns
I need to know the regulations imposed by HIPAA for MTSOs faxing medical reports to referring doctors. Thanks.
You need to brush up on HIPAA guidelines...
The computer should be password protected for individual users so files cannot be accessed, but, other than that, HIPAA requires "reasonable care" be taken to safguard patient information. It does not require any computer used for MT to be used exclusively for that.
Some believe the computer must be in a locked room. That is absolutely not a requirement either. Reasonable care means just that.
Faxing
I would use a secure site for sending medical reports such as an FTP site. Faxing is not a secure way of sending and is not HIPPA compliant.
Faxing
I don't know since I have a stand alone fax. But I have faxed from my Quick Books and it worked. I just went to my spread sheet and did the Control P and hit the fax options on the printer selection and it let me go to the Fax Wizard. I will try it later today with one of my accounts and see if it works. But you would have to be careful to make sure that only their "selected" part of the spreadsheet gets sent to them just like when you print/fax it to them. But if you client does not have the Excel program on the computer you are sending it to, then they cannot open it. I will do more playing around this this later this afternoon as have to go and do pick up and deliveries now. Patti
faxing $
For all that you would be better off getting a printer w/fax. They are less than $100. Mine is an HP 5610v All In One w/the fax feed at the top, number pad for dialing, etc. Think I might have paid about $70 for it a year or so ago. I think I got it at Walmart.
Faxing
If you are going to do faxing on a regular basis, you should probably purchase a fax machine. That's what I had to finally do. Some time ago, I had to go to a currency exchange to fax something. The charge was $7.00 per page!!
Vonage & Faxing?
I've been wanting to get an internet phone service for a long time now, but am concerned about the faxing capabilities. I have an account of my own and I use e-fax to send the work back to the physicians. I've been told that VoIP services do not support e-fax and also that even regular faxing is extremely unreliable with VoIP. Anyone have any insight into this? I'd really like to switch, but I have to be able to e-fax! 
Internet faxing
Is internet faxing HIPPA compliant?
Faxing via computer
I have faxed documents through the computer at a couple of jobs I've worked in the past; however, I have no idea how this is set up. I am planning to buy a fax machine, but I was wondering if it would cheaper and/or easier to do by computer. Plus this would eliminate another piece of equipment on my desk. Thanks for any advice.
faxing question ...sm
I was using WinFax PRO through the computer for faxing many files rather than the old print and put through a fax machine. BUT this program seems to be hanging up all the time, not faxing, etc.
Does anyone know of another program like this...where you just click on files and fax through the computer?
THANX FOR ANY HELP
Wendy
Charge for faxing
I am starting to fax reports to various places for my account. Some of these will include multiple pages to the same place and some will be only one page. Can anyone tell me what the going rates are for this service? Thanks!
online faxing
Does anyone have a recommended site they use for online faxing?
faxing without a fax machine
Several jobs I worked in the past allowed the capability to send a fax through the computer without using a fax machine. However, I have no idea that program was set up but would really like something similar at home. I can't figure out where to start. Anyone know anything about this?
Thanks.
Charge for faxing reports (sm)
I did a search and can't seem to find this topic. An office that I transcribe for has a new type of report that they would like faxed to the referring physician. I have a fax and am willing to do it, but I'm not sure what to charge. Would you charge by the page or by the report (mostly 1 page but sometimes 2 plus cover page)? Thanks much for your input. KM
great faxing service
My girlfriend signed up for a new faxing service with Packtel. It's only $3.95 per month for unlimited faxing, I'm getting a fax from her right now on fax machine, and I gotta say that the quality of the print beats to pants off eFax. If anyone would like to check it out, here's the link:
legal issues w/faxing reports
i have always refusing the faxing of reports to offices.. i believe this is illegal if the MD signature is not on the paper. if you are a "contractor" for this office, you are not covered in way, shape or form legally under any insurance policy but your own. I would refuse the faxing of reports.
However, it's illegal in my state to do unsolicited broadcast faxing.
I had intended on doing this years ago, but I was told we can't.
Always! When emailing my resume, my email acts as my cover letter and when faxing, I always have a
Your cover letter says much more about you than your resume ever can. Your resume lists your education, your jobs, and highlights your skills. In your cover letter, you have an opportunity to sum up how many years total experience you have and get specific about certain things you've accomplished at certain jobs.
They should ALL go by the same guidelines.
Different accounts have different specifications as well so that could account. But all in all, the editors should all be going by the same rules, etc.
GUIDELINES
What did we ever do before style guidelines? How did we ever type? I guess we have been doing it wrong for all these years. Now we are being graded. What is that about. Am I in grade school. I have been there and done that. Went to college and being treated like an idiot.
I would to see these supervisors and corporate try to sit and type all day.
Guidelines
You are correct that the possessive form of eponyms is now not possessive. And it is not just AAMT who did that, but also the AMA. It is in the new Book of Style and in the Manual of Style that the AMA produces. You can find it in both places to show to your docs if you are looking for that.
Guidelines
That should entirely be up to the client.
Thanks for the guidelines..it's too bad that...
My manager didn't give an "official" explanation as to why this shouldn't be done.
Her reasoning is that the doctor can't read it as well when milligrams is typed out.
If you MUST have QA on staff, they should all have guidelines, be it BOS
or AMA, whatever you choose. I've been seeing ads for QA personnel and they don't have to have been MTs. I don't get that.
As I've said before here, I work for an MTSO who believes if you have to have QA personnel, you've hired the wrong MTs. I tend to agree with her.
We get up in the morning, do our work and send it in. If there's something we don't understand, we put a note on the log for the doctor or the hospital - because we're all experienced enough that we either know what we're hearing or know how to find it.
My daughters have certain guidelines in the way they want (sm)
the children to act, be treated, etc. We have an understanding that I won't let them play in the street, swim unattended, smart mouth an adult, cus, or do anything that is generally dangerous for them. They love to help cook, garden and just sit on my lap and be read to. Yes, I may take them shopping a little too often, but they usually have helped in the garden or helped with housework prior, so they are actually earning the money they spend for toys at WalMart.
I would never undermine their parents (even though the father of the two youngest is a true bum) to them. I try to always touch upon good things they should be proud of such as "Your mommy sure knows how to fix you hair so nice, I wish I could do it as well."
These grandchildren are the most precious thing in the world to me and the last thing I would do is act in a way that would keep their parents from allowing them to visit. Maybe you should explain to those grandparents your reasons/concerns. Surely they would be glad (after an initial sulk maybe) to change their ways in exchange for more hug and kiss time from their grandbabies.
MQ is going by the AAMT Guidelines
with rules regarding transcription. So I would think that as MTs we should be typing by AAMT Guidelines. If you think we are not paid for spaces, then why do one more than necessary.
Anyone know a site for IRS guidelines for IC nm
x
Docs don't have those guidelines because... sm
they realize how stupid they sound and look. They learn the language of medicine and stick with it. They don't bow to some silly-*ssed organization's whims.
AAMT guidelines about not using q.d., q.i.d. q.h.s. etc.
what is the current recommendations for these? I have been an MT for 7 years and I still type them this way. Was I off school that day? Thanks!!!!
is it acceptable in our guidelines, if so I will
do it too.
You should always follow guidelines
set up by your MTSO/client. If expanding when not allowed to, that could be considered line padding and a quick way to lose your job.
Did you follow BOS guidelines??? That could
x
You will! Just as you all said I was "crazy" when I posted about the new QA guidelines, only t
you obviously all get them within a few months top, now you can stop kicking the covers off over QA bonuses, and lack thereof, as that will be coming your way, too!
Anyone know the origin of the AMTA guidelines?
I was told that the 2 women in Amherst came up with this book just to make money and that they really don't (excuse me, do not) know their "elbow from their kneecap". I know it took me some getting used to: 1 space after a period and colon, using numerals instead of writing out numbers, not using contractions, etc., etc. I see the book on sale with the guidelines, but does anyone know who wrote it? Frankly, I think it makes medical reports look a little less professional than they used to. I have been a MT for 20 years and even though I am using the new guidelines, I am not crazy about them.
Thanks for sharing this. If federal guidelines were followed,
the minimum wage earner could not even shop at Walmart---that's really sad! This is just another point that shows that the government has obviously gotten too big for its people, $5.15 is a JOKE. I'm glad some states actually have some sort of caring politicians.
There have to be guidelines and standards in place
for every profession, including MT. While I don't like the AAMT or agree with some of its new ways, there has to be something in place for all MTs to go by so they are all on the same page. The only way to bring real professionalism back to the field is by mandatory certification or a license to practice MT. There are way too many inexperiences terrible MTs out there ruining all of our reputations! And I for one am tired of it.
Thank you so much for replying - that gives me some guidelines to follow
nm
AAMT number guidelines
Does anyone know the newest guidelines for numbers with AAMT?
You follow the account guidelines - sm
Expanding out abbreviations when the account specifics say not to is an easy QA ding also.
It depends on the account guidelines.
For the majority of the accounts I work on abbreviations are only expanded in the critical sections, such as diagnosis, impression, etc. This is to the client's preference, and it is considered an error to expand an abbreviation when it is not necessary.
As far as dosages, I always transcribe what the dictator says unless it is a prohibited abbreviation or an error. Prohibited abbreviations are changed, per client preference, to the acceptable term. If it may be an error, it is flagged for review. If the doc dictates "twice a day," they get "twice a day." If they dictate "b.i.d." that is what I transcribe. It is also considered a error, at least at my company, to alter what is dictated.
Urgent question regarding BOS guidelines!! PLEASE sm
I'm testing for several jobs right now that will offer the full-time status I desperately need to support my family.
The last job I had didn't follow BOS guidelines and I as advised by a few MTs to follow these guidelines when formating the body of the test reports. I do not own this book nor do I know anyone that has it. Are there any online resources that I can refer to for some of the more common guidelines?
I need all the help I can get and want to thank those willing to take a moment to help a fellow MT out!!
God Bless!
We got an updated set of account guidelines constantly
put somewhere different than it was last week, they'd tell us to change something and when we changed it they sent it back and told us not to change it anymore. They blamed things on us that weren't even anything we do, like if someone was on vacation and a report didn't get sent to the right place. People started to get threatened with termination (not me but I know people who were) for even the most miniscule reason like forgetting to sign off a doc as a DO instead of an MD. They were just unreasonable bullies and the more they complained and fussed the more Diskriter management bowed to their every wish and created a monster. Good luck if you end up there. It could have been a nice account if this nonsense had been nipped in the bud.
According to the Medquist Style Guidelines that I received,
it states that the one space rule applies following a period, in numeric lists, and following a colon. I received these guidelines in March from MQ. This is what I would go by. I was told that if I spaced twice I would receive a penalty on my QA reviews. Obviously, you are the uninformed one, so see ya later wench.
Guidelines are one thing, but if your client wants it transcribed a certain way, just do it.
p
Most companies draw from the AAMT's standards and guidelines.
nm
If you meet guideline, you are IC. Taxman has guidelines for what is IC in your state.
'
AAMT has wonderful resources on their site. QA Primer and scoring guidelines (and explanations)
nm
That is against HIPAA
x
What about HIPAA?
 Our hospital is adamant about no accounts going offshore. Not only because of quality, but also privacy, lawsuits, etc. ESPECIALLY after what happened a couple years ago between UCSF Hospital and sub-sub-contractor in India. (MT there who got gypped in pay held accounts for "ransom".)
HIPAA
Some in the office I work in said there are HIPAA rules that apply to transcription, such as font size, etc. Does anyone know about this and where I can get more information.
Thanks
HIPAA and cc - what to do? sm
If doctor wants carbon copy sent, I'm told it's a violation of HIPAA rules. Please tell me where I can find this on the Internet. Thanks.
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