Faxing and HIPAA concerns
Posted By: just wondering on 2005-11-07
In Reply to:
I need to know the regulations imposed by HIPAA for MTSOs faxing medical reports to referring doctors. Thanks.
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HIPAA faxing guidelines
Fax only when necessary, always verify fax number and ALWAYS use cover sheet. Do not fax hypersensitive PHI. 
be sure to mention HIPAA concerns with offshore...nm
..
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:
sometimes this concerns me as well
I talked with my account managers about the future of MT and does she really feel there is a shortage. On the 1 hand she said yes there is a lack of qualified MTs, but what she also did say is that those with experience have more job security, which makes sense.
For ideas, have you ever thought of possibly becoming a paralegal or perhaps a legal secretary? Also, what about maybe delving into possible general transcription? I did a bit of that myself and it was not too bad. At least some of the skills you have learned being a Transcriptionist can still be used. I always try to keep a mental list of 5 different "paths" I could pursue if things got bad, but luckily things have never gotten to that point.
Like I said in my heading, sometimes the future of MT concerns me, but the reality is there is no such thing as a stable job anymore. I also got into transcription during my college years, 2 year actually. I ended up completing my AA as well and went on to pursue a degree in IT with an emphasis in networking, but it really bored me to death. Your family should not look at you like you did not succeed. So many people that I know from friends and family all think it is so great that I get to work at home and do so well for myself.
concerns--sm
I tend to agree with the other poster below. Do not discuss things with your mother. You already know how she is going to react and it only serves to aggravate you. If you have genuine concerns about your aunt or any other family member's health, try to address it to the doctor directly. As far as your mother goes, it sounds to me like you are seeking her approval and acknowledgement for your accomplishments. Apparently you are not going to get that. I have a mother who is the same way and it angered me to the point where I confronted her a couple of times about it. It only caused alot of hurt and anger when I did that, so now I just turn the other cheek and try to ignore it. The only person you have to prove yourself to is you and the good Lord. Since He already knows your worth, you need to work on your own. Don't look to others to validate your worth. You don't need to. You are already special. :^) Have a good day, and think positive thoughts of yourself and your abilities.
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.
Concerns/questions
As always, if you have concerns/questions/comments regarding DSG, I have an open door policy. Please feel free to contact me at kdenson@dsg-inc.net.
Thank you.
Offshore concerns
They are smart , and that is why the jobs are going to them! Jobs don't make people smarter; smart people do their jobs well. If you don't believe this then you must question the wisdom of the American MTSOs and companies that outsource. As I have said before, all Indian MTs are not bad and all US MTs are not good. I've seen excellent quality from India and poor quality from the US - that's the other side of the story which none of you wants to see, let alone admit.
This is why I call US MTs insular. If you will only look outside of your own town/state/country you will see how the world has changed and the so-called developing countries have advanced in many ways.
The problem with the US is it has been functioning too long in a cocoon, sheltered and protected. But with the coming of the global age, competiton has become fierce and jobs are moving overseas and it is now finding it difficult to cope in this new business climate.
You say "sadly" because it affects you but have you ever wondered how Indians like it when American companies dump poor quality goods on them and Indian businesses have to shut shop because they can't bear the competition? Of course most of you would not have heard that pesticides were found in bottles of a premier American brand of soft drink sold in India!
Instead of treating "offshoring" as some terrible phenomenon, it is high time US MTs learned to accept the situation because this is the New Age Economy where everything is decided in competition.
You are an IC -- state your concerns
You need to get some faith in yourself. If you are an IC and if you agreed on a certain rate of pay, they need to adhere to that. If you have a plumber come and work for you and you don't agree with his rate of pay, you cannot halfway through the job decide to pay him less. It is the same thing. I give an offer to my IC's and if they want to work for that they can but I cannot suddenly change halfway through without re-negotiating with them and they must agree to a lower rate, etc. So if you agreeed fine -- accept it but if they just did it, don't. It is hard around the holidays but is appears you are not making that much anyway so what do you have to lose especially if they took away half of your job. You need to read and see what an IC actually means and if they are calling the shots you are an employee and can raise a little bit of trouble for them. But talk to them as sometimes until you stand up to them, they will walk all over you.
Your concerns are valid, unfortunately : (
EMR and voice recognition has put me out of a job. On my former job, there was one other Transcriptionist besides me. Because she had been there longer, she got what was left over after most of the docs jumped on the voice recognition bandwagon. They use Dragon Naturally Speaking. I have seen it at work myself and it is quite accurate. There is no editing being done on their work. Now, I'm doing a job that is just that, a JOB. I enjoy transcribing and am looking for another job, but MT jobs seem to be few and far between where I am. I can't get high speed internet where I live, so most services are out. I may move onto a different career if something doesn't come around soon. I thought about legal transcription. Anyone have experience with that?
Outsourcing Concerns
Did any of you watch the special the other night on identity theft? I think it was maybe on Dateline. If so, you heard them say the identity theft ring reaches far beyond the shores of the US. It involves many of the countries that are receiving outsourced transcription work.
The first thought that came to mind when watching that was our medical records. I often have dictation that gives me a SSN and DOB. I also often have dictation on a new patient giving me other details, such as where the individual works, how many children they have, etc. I always get their height, weight and race. With these details, the individuals being outsourced to have everything they need to supply a terrorist or identity theft ring information to enable them to pose as someone else. This is very frightening to me!
What do we do? How do we wake America up to what we're facing? Sure, we can write our elected officials, but you all know as well as I do that such correspondence falls upon deaf ears. Does anyone have any suggestions on where we go from here? At this point, it isn't only about losing our jobs, its about national security.
What concerns me about newbies is
that often they write these excited posts and reveal how tiny their working English vocabulary is. That's a terrible place to start out from. I try to be polite, but I do remember being a newbie for hospital work and how appalled the trainer was with the other MTs who had tiny English vocabularies. She about dropped her teeth because the first time I had to spell shotty adenopathy I spelled it right. I couldn't believe anybody would think "shoddy adenopathy" would make any sense. It's not logical.
How do you train people to THINK and be logical in their transcription? Those are things the person should bring to the table if they want to go into a career in the written word. Then you can build on that logic as you interpret MD slurring.
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.
I've had similar concerns
about blacklisting. After all, anybody can see how easy it would be to paint a dark picture of a company on this board so why wouldn't companies have a similar board somewhere to do the same with employees? I think the answer is because it would be considered blacklisting which would likely violate some employment laws and it would be too difficult to keep it a secret. But I could be wrong.
Of course they do. That was one of the concerns about Medquist. Info from the VA
was going offshore. The info included the location of the soldier's troop when he was wounded in combat and more.
Offshore concerns blog
I mentioned this a few messages below, but the blog has its first post. I am NOT supporting any Ad things on there and will not be making anything off this.
http://violatingamerica.blogspot.com/
If you have a link that would be useful to others to write their gov't reps, companies, news sources, etc, feel free to post them or e-mail me so i can get them up there. I am also looking for any news stories or any information we can get. One way or the other, we might be able to make a difference.
Know is old post - but valid concerns
I don't kow what they could do to help you RE: Katrina but companies need to verify the NEED to cut back or do it across the board, at least in the department / job level. I worked for this company for 6 yr & had several cuts in my take home. The platforms used became slower & slower because of the amazing amt of data in the programs. I had 3 gig memory & STILL took forever & you aren't making a dime for that several minute while a report is sending & the next coming in & then doing the demographic page.
I've been trying to find out if there was anything of that investigation - I never did get that paper that so many other employees got. And I had a definite beef.
Please use Offshore Concerns board for those topics. (NM)
Goldbird
Anything an MT can do when you have grave concerns about patient care?
Is there anything at all an MT can do when you have grave concerns about the care a patient is receiving? I know the answer to this is probably no, but I am so completely frustrated with my one of "my" doctors right now. I know that one of his patients is not receiving the proper care, and I am really worried for this patient. I wish I could contact the patient's mother and let her know my concerns, but I know that is not allowed and I would be fired for doing so. I know that I'm not anywhere near as smart as a doctor, but my son has the same condition that this patient does and I know that the patient is not receiving the proper care or even the correct diagnosis. It is hard to go into all of the details for confidentiality reasons. I just know, 100% sure, that this patient deserves better care than he is receiving.
Sometimes the virtual world that we work in is great, and other times it really stinks. If I were working in the doctor's office I could gently share my concerns (maybe I would still be fired but I could give it a shot). Here in this virtual world where the doctors don't even know I exist I can do absolutely nothing.
I'm just so frustrated at the doctor and so very worried for this patient.
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.
Interesting info on Offshore Concerns board
OSI offshores and that is why they can't keep quality MTs
In Reply to: Today, I landed a client that was using and Indian service. They said the service - Kansas MTSO sm
The MTs they do keep are basically no more accurate than the Indians. The QA department is a joke because they hire people fresh out of MT school. It is a sad company and is destined to fail if they don't start thinking more about quality than keeping the brownnosers happy. This could be true for other companies that offshore as well.
D I T T O D I T T O
Taking 2 polls on offshore concerns board
Please participate!
Thank you!
d~
Take your medical degree into the office and voice your concerns.
How do you know the patient isn't getting the proper care? No two patients are alike, just because your child has the same condition doesn't mean anything. This parent probably has googled her child's condition and is working along with the doctor. As an MT, you should not talk about any patient even with the other people in the office. It is confidential information and very unprofessional.
Comedy Stop & Offshore Concerns were the last 2 boards to be changed over to the new format.
Archives will be available soon.
Please post offshore topics on Offshore Concerns board. (NM)
Thank you.
Goldbird
This thread belongs on Offshore Concerns; thread locked. (NM)
Goldbird
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
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