Hello - Johnnie

Info wanted - ShockedIC

Here is some information that might be of interest to you - as to why some of those questions are asked

  I cannot be certain, but I believe the reason you are getting those questions now is because MTSOs are starting to get their houses cleaned up for when the HITECH Act does into effect in February of 2010 regarding HIPAA regulations. 

  There are a lot of changes coming about in February of 2010 when the HITECH Act becomes effective.  Things are still in the process of being determined as far as how each MTSO handles HIPAA compliance after February of 2010.   Not much in the way of details has filtered down to the MT yet.  So, this is not a definite, but it has been rumored that at-home MTs will have to certify that they have a dedicated work space, that the computer is secure, that the computer is only used for work, and even that no one (spouses, kids, etc) EVER have access to the computer.  Some may even go so far as to say no one is allowed in the room where the work computer is so there is no chance of someone accidentally seeing personal information that is on a computer being used.  Again, this is all speculation at this point.  A lot of MTSOs are in the process of trying to figure out exactly what the HITECH Act requires and what they need to do to comply.  The fines are pretty stiff and will include the IC MT when it goes into effect.  It used to be that only the doctor/facility was responsible for HIPAA compliance.  After February of 2010, it also includes MTSOs and ICs.  It is not yet clear, but there is speculation that it could go as far as the at-home MT employee of an MTSO. 

  In case you have not heard about the HITECH Act, here is some good information.

  At the 2009 AHDI Convention, an Attorney prepared a Power Point presentation highlighting some of the things included in the HITECH Act. 

 Here is the Power Point link: 

 http://www.ahdionline.org/portals/0/downloads/ACE09_PowerPoint/ScottEdelstein.pdf 

  If you do not have Power Point, here is the alternate link, which is not as good, but you can get the general idea of what is going on:

 http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:X87Ve0gYvN0J:www.ahdionline.org/portals/0/downloads/ACE09_PowerPoint/ScottEdelstein.pdf+HITECH+Act+2009+MTSO&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

All this and our work is being shipped overseas to India? - Please explain why so hard on us here

My personal opinion and ramblings - Not an expert by any means

That is probably the question of the ages.  In my opinion, simply, in the United States of America, the people have been brainwashed to think they have rights of privacy (although every day, those are being eroded, in my opinion).  The United States of America is also based on Capitalism.   People work hard to build a business and they want to make a profit.  Some unscrupulous and greedy people want to become billionaires so they can move anywhere in the world so they do not have to deal with us peons.  Companies hire lobbyists to promote their agenda.  Various medical and privacy rights organizations hire lobbyists to promote their agenda.  Congress gets pulled in both directions and in the end no one wins.  Companies go where the labor is cheaper while U.S. workers get more and more restrictions added to their work place in the name of privacy for the population as a whole.  The rich win – the poor workers lose.  That is the way of life and, unfortunately, that will probably never change.  As long as there are rich companies and poor workers, the workers will never get ahead. 

  As far as Medical Transcription, all we can do is try to find a company to work for that has half a clue as to what it is like to be at the bottom and does not try to push us down further with dropping wages and no regard as to whether we have work or not. 

    IN MY HUMBLE OPINION. 

Humble opinion - MT17

Touche'!  Me likes your humble opinion and totally agrees.  My transcription job/work went to the Philippines at the beginning of October and I find myself looking for a new job after 20 years with the same company.  I am trying to stay positive and I will prevail." 

Thanks for posting these links. I recently attended, sm - LaurieG.

HITECH Act=death of small MTSO - no work

HITECH HIPAA - Beth

The head of Manpower International recently SM - MissIndigo