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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

HIPAA isn't a person or organization

Posted By: sm on 2009-03-06
In Reply to: Is this not sickening. Why won't HIPAA, in conjunction with the major insurance carriers SM - Kay

HIPAA can't step up to any plate, because it's not a person or organization. It's just a law.


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A new organization
would not be that hard at all to get going if you could round up a enough people to help get started.  I think that is a fine idea. 
New organization
I am not sure, but I was told there was another organization out there once upon a time and it folded because of the attendance in the AAMT. I was not part of AAMT during those founding years, so I am not really sure how it all came to be. But, an organization strictly for the American MTs is exactly what we need.
We also need an organization to
I don't think the CMT certification itself was a terrible idea. What IS a bad idea is paying fees to AHDI, the organization that SOLD OUT --that got everyone hooked on the CMT certification and then switched to a philosophy of support for offshoring by establishing foreign CMT certification sites as well as new certifications intended specifically for the people who are lined up around the world to do your job for a couple of rupees per line.

There are employers who don't care about credentials & those who do. If you think some kind of certification will help you, find a new organization. ACLS training will speak infinitely more about your ability to transcribe cardiology reports than the CMT certification exam. Go to eMedicine.com & sign on to their CME program. You can study cases & take tests & track your CME units on their website. There are plenty of organizations out there that are better known to the medical community than AHDI & will look AT LEAST as good on your resume. Be creative. We need to dissociate ourselves from AHDI. Let them become known as the Association of Healthcare Documents transcribed by Indians.
There is an organization...
for American MTs that somebody posted here before. I don't really know anything about it and so can't vouch for it, but it looks to be the only decent organized alternative to AHDI (formerly AAMT) available.

http://www.ataus.org

Certainly a better first step than wasting time thinking about an ad hoc strike/walkout, proposed by someone who *isn't even an MT,* for goodness' sake.
New AAMT organization
Honestly, I would have to sit and think long and hard about what I would want to see. I can tell you that I think the first thing would be to change the BOS. It is too restricting, and should not be considered a "bible" of sorts, because all companies are different, and no all use the BOS.

Secondly, tighter control should be maintained over local and state chapters, as they run by a few "click" members and new blood is not appreciated or allowed in other than just the audience.

Those are just 2, I could go on and on and on... Hey, if you have any ideas of how reorganization can be done, I am there 100%. Feel free to e-mail me. I heard at one time there was another organization, but it never survived.
That is qhy I quit their organization after

This whole organization is a crock
Someone has to pay for all their travel, first class all the way.

I am still shaking my head i amazement about the one biggie in the organization who got his CMT with only 1 year of at home training doing office notes - no hospital experience, etc. This shows how truly worthless the whole certification process is. Credentialing should reflect adequate training in all areas of the profession, and it certainly degrades the title if someone was able to get certified by doing doctor office/clinic notes.




I work for the person. I know. Very excellent person, personally and business-sense.
It is an INSULT to have QA hovering over seasoned MTs who know what they are doing. She trusts her MTs and again if there are questions there is one person, a trainer, who can answer them via phone, e-mail or instant message or you can send the whole report to them if you choose.
Around the Atlanta area there's an organization ....sm
called BuyOwner and you pay a flat fee for whatever services you want, and it's a lot cheaper than using a full-fledged agent. The people who live across the road from me got a contract on their house within 3 days of listing with them and I've known others with similar results.

The first thing you need to do is make sure you have your expectations realistic. Research what similar homes are selling for in your area. Clean up and declutter as much as possible. Get those closets pretty empty to make them appear to have more space - same for all rooms in the house. If the rooms haven't been painted in a while spring for some fresh paint - be sure to choose neutral colors like white or off-white. Clean the carpet. Keep the yard trim and put in fresh flowers. Keep some of the air freshners that send out a scent every few minutes going through the house to keep it fresh smelling. Go ahead and on the for sale sign in the yard list the price - Good Morning America's report last week said this helps a lot as it lets people know right off hand if it's priced in the budget they're looking at. Doing so will also keep folks from swiping fliers you may set out because they're interested in finding out the price.

As far as realtors go, ask for recommendations from friends and neighbors who have used one. Let the realtors know that you expect them to aggressively push your home sale, i.e. talk it up with other realtors, put signs up everyone they can, etc. Ask them what their plan is for selling your home. Make sure pictures taken of your house for show on the internet show the best angle possible of rooms - 70% of people now look on-line before going to see homes so you want your home to catch their attention.

As far as the realtor that posted below to always use a realtor - I say that if you find one you're comfortable with then sign up. Definitely don't do just the "FSBO sign" in the yard and ad in the newspaper if you're serious about selling, but there are ways to get the word out without paying the high commissions that are worth a try. Signing with an agent doesn't guarantee you'll sell the home quickly.

Good luck out there!
Doesn't surprise me, that organization is as (sm)
shifty as they come. A coupla' broads got VERY rich by selling the rest of us down the river.
Evil, deceiptful organization! nm
i
Perfectly rotten organization...sm

...that has prostituted themselves to the MTSOs, presiding over and encouraging the loss of jobs overseas using our dues to fund their trips and perks.


It's particularly ironic, in this setting, that the name of this pathetic organization mentions "document integrity", when their position regarding offshore transcription is the very antithesis of promoting integrity in American health documentation.


...and as for the Book of Style, words fail me.


 


 


AAMT/AHDI is an organization that should be

AAMT/AHDI is the the same organization, and it -
has played the largest part in lowering MT standards and MT pay. They claim it's been 'raised' by their attempts at standardizing all MT work, and by offering bogus 'CMT' credentials, but all it's done is backfire for the American MT. We paid our US Dollars for these credentials, (at a higher rate than the Indians, I might add). AAMT/AHDI's power grew stronger as the duped more and more medical establishments to do things their way, due to the cut rates they were getting from national MTSO's who were in bed with AAMT/AHDI, and sending more and more of their work to India. That in turn has decimated American MT wages. I know of few (if ANY) other companies, other than those who are facing bankruptcy, that are paying workers less and less each year. The MT business is alive, well and growing, but each year its workers see less and less in the way of compensation for a job well done. It can't go on forever. Eventually they're going to hit the zero-point. Then what? Maybe we'll pay THEM for the 'privilege of doing MT work?

It's imperative that MTs start getting in touch with each other. Their co-workers, MTs they meet online, MTs who work at other companies. It's time to start comparing notes, and start coming up with a plan. Regardless of whether it's a walkout, a sickout, a letter-writing or phone campaign, posters, flyers, radio time, or an ad in the newspaper, the more people that contribute, even a tiny contribution in the way of time, skill, or just their own voice, the better our chances are of still turning this thing around before we all become extinct.
Point was is the person willing to make up for the slack of the person who types 1 job when there is

if that is all they WANT to type.   Is the person who wants to be a supervisor willing to make up for those people?


You have crap supervisors, editors and mts in the business like you have good ones.   Sadly, the really good ones of all of them are few and far between. 


Its all a matter of organization and using your time wisely! I have
3 kids that are pretty wild. I have tried babysitters and they only last a day with my kids, but I am still able to put in a 40 hour week, clean houses for extra cash, do all meals, take care of the house, laundry, etc.

I have a binder with chore lists, schedules, meal menus, etc. It helps a lot.
Planning, organization, schedules, determination, and
making others be responsible for themselves and respectful of your time, effort, energy.

Taught the boys to do laundry, cook, do housework.

Taught family/friends to respect work/study schedules.

I don't feel the obligation to answer to anyone else anymore.

Is there an organization (informal, not like AAMT) for radiology MTs?
Just wondering....I think it would be nice to be able to communicate with other rad MTs.
Medical Transcription Service Organization nm
s
The ADHI is a SCAM organization. Don't give them
your hard-earned money, ESPECIALLY when the 'renewal' apears to be premature. $100 is far too much to spend for this worthless 'credential'.

It's what you can do ON THE JOB that matters in the end, not 3 letters after your name.

This group's sole purpose for existing (besides a few key execs striking it rich) has been to close down what used to be a good American white-collar, middle-class job, and send it all to India. And you just KNOW they're getting their palms greased by India to make this happen.

Ask them this: If they're set getting everyone 'certified', then shouldn't what you pay for that so-called 'certification' be in direct proportion to what it does for you? Or where most of the work is going these days? The Indians get a discounted rate for their CMT's and RMT's. If you're determined to continue your certification, tell them you want the same deal they're getting in India (and Philippines).
I've heard talk that they are considering changing the name of the organization
All of this takes time, but I support the name change issue.
last time i checked, MENSA was a party organization! Not much more going on.

Medical Transcription Service Organization/Owner.
//
MTSO-Medical Transcription Service Organization or Owner

When you have a QA person that is picky and another QA person that is very lenient where does that
leave the MTs because some are getting a lenient reviewer and others are getting one that picks at everything. How do you reconcile that issue with the difference in QA mentality. Some people make out well and the other people could be just as good but dont. I wonder about that.
The person MTSO pays is the person who
dsf
One person's "custom" is another person's
"house arrest". I'd never go to the Middle East because of how they treat women. I don't agree with their laws or "justice" system. For example, the woman who was gang raped as punishment for the actions of her 12-year-old brother, a boy who wasn't even an adult. How's that for a "custom"? Let's not forget bride burning. Burqas.

Besides, foreigners don't follow our "customs" when they come to this country. Half of them don't even bother learning English. Instead, we're expected to pay for healthcare and foodstamps for illegals and print everything in Spanish.

I won't be oppressed or treated as a second class citizen, and I wouldn't treat others like that either. A "custom" is more like putting up a Christmas tree, not being abused based on your gender.
i'm sure it will vary from person to person.
I recently did the same thing and am loving it! The freedom from time clocks, the better company, make losing the benefits well worth it to me. You need to set up a plan to have $ set aside for taxes though. I should have done this years ago!
Wrong person. I'm not the person you were
any money.  You have a sucky attitude, a "poor me" attitude.  Get off your lazy whiny a$$ and work instead of complaining and you will make money.  I have one account at 10.5 cpl, two at 14 cpl and one at 15 cpl.  I make a lot of money, even on the 10.5 cpl.  But I'm not sitting around whining either.  And I didn't whine when I made $6 an hour.
I agree. MTIA is not a government organization. Credentialing comes from state government and

sometimes at the federal level.  This mandatory credentialing is ludicrous and a scheme to make money, in my humble opinion.


I have to agree with the other poster, if not having CMT after my name after 25 years of experience prevents me from being employable, I have a very good lawyer who will take up my cause!!!


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.
Why would that be against HIPAA?
I have to save my files at least through the invoice period anyway.  Why would it be against HIPAA to run them through IT? 
I'm not the OP, but yes, there is a HIPAA (sm)
violation if you keep copies of patient reports on your hard disks in a form where the patient is identifiable.

What I do to make my normals and IT glossaries is cut/paste a copy of the body of each report, with no info to identify the patient, into wordpad and save under the dictator's name (such as jones hysterectomy, smith HP, etc).
HIPAA
There is nothing in HIPAA that says this information cannot be in the record. What it says is that IF you need to de-identify the information for any reason, all of those things must be removed. Probably not the best policy to have but not a HIPAA violation.
HIPAA
I was recently hired as an employee at a doctors office and we have been discussing taking my MT work home. It is all on hard copy except for occasional e-mails I need to send to the office to download. What do I need to be doing to comply with HIPAA?
HIPAA req.
I use encrypted e-mail through CryptoHeaven, cryptoheaven.com.  They have a bunch of different packages and well priced.  All work must be kept confidential and protected as much as possible (lock box for saved work on CDs).  I keep all patient lists only to type and then they are shredded.  Make sure if you are faxing pt lists back and forth, you are using a front fax cover sheet with a statement on it regarding confidentiality, etc. (your doctor's office probably uses this when sending stuff from their office).  I also have the ability to lock my office when there are parties, etc. at the house just to be on the safe side. 
It's HIPAA............nm
nm
I don't know about HIPAA.... sm

But I wonder why they were asking you all those questions? The only thing I remember when enrolling my son was making sure his shots were up to date. Of course, we are talking a long time ago!


I don't understand why a kindergarten would need such a thorough medical history on their students. HIPAA or not, it sounds like invasion of privacy to me.


It's HIPAA
It's HIPAA, not HIPPA, and the provisions are only enforceable within the US.

There are free HIPAA courses online; you don't have to become certified, just become familiar with it so your work area, computer, etc. are compliant. Should be mandatory learning for all MTs.
it's HIPAA, not HIPPA. nm
x
HIPAA Compliance ?
Does anyone have any knowledge about a US MT typing from home and any HIPAA compliance violations if this MT also types from a 2nd residence in a different state for part of the year?
HIPAA response
HIPAA has more to do with the confidentiality of a patient's information. It has nothing to do with what residence you transcribe from, as long as you maintain the confidentiality of the patient's information. The company you work for may have some sort of requirement that you notify them if you'll be working from a location other than the location that they have on record for you.
Is it HIPAA compliant?
That certainly does sound like a great solution! You are right, I would probably want them to zip their files anyway since I have only dial-up available to me at home and would need it at a CG if I ever get to that point in my life.

Thank you for your feedback. It is sincerely appreciated.
HIPAA rules
A lot of the national transcription services have many accounts where the hospitals/docs still want the name of the patient in the body of the report and do not want "the patient" in the body of the report. So the facilities still respect what the doctors want.
It's HIPAA and you pronounce it hip-uh.
l
By the waq, it should be brEAch of HIPAA. nm
nm
HIPAA at the Hosptial

Was at the hospital yesterday for some radiology testing. To summon me from the waiting area (full of other patients), the person who does the registrations used my first and LAST NAME! Bleah!


Then, after I was registered and back in the waiting area, another patient entered, sat beside me, and said "So, you're here for the same thing I am--I heard you mention it when you were being registered. I was in the next cubicle."


Shortly after this a different hospital employee summoned another patient from the waiting area using first AND LAST NAME! EEEK!


What on Earth ever happened to the HIPAA regulations? HIPAA applies to the hospital setting, right?


Any suggestions?


HIPAA is a joke
as long as these private records continue to travel overseas beyond the reach of the long arm of U.S. courts and law enforcement.