A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

? about HIPPA and privacy laws - anon

Posted: Jan 12, 2010

Is this more strict? or is it the same? Am I freaking out for nothing new? According to some of those examples, I'm not even sure that normals and the repository are legal. Doesn't it say that we are not allowed to save other records for examples? And the fact that you can be fined if you ACCIDENTALLY see something or accidentally send something to the wrong doctor, which I know we have to be careful not to do, but what if it is the dictator who gives us the wrong name or number? Seems like it is saying we are held accountable regardless. Even the doctor who accidentally receives the report is held responsible. Some of it seems ridiculous to me. I am seriously, seriously getting tired of all of the hoops we have to jump through for this job. And, bty, the only reason I even went to look at it is because of some posts on here. I did not receive any email from anyone telling me to do so. Didn't see anything on MQCentral about it. Guess my question is, am I overreacting?

Well, several months ago, I send a CC to the - Kiki

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wrong doctor when the dictator DID give me incorrect/incomplete information. I got a call from my then CCM and she went on and on for 1 full hour about the severity of this, I got written up, threatened that I would be fired if it happened again, etc. I told her I understand the severity and I do take some of the responsibility (I guess) but isn't the dictator also held accountable? She had no answer for that. I had to sign something and it went on my record. So, from then on, I never sent a CC using the database; I just typed it in manually. Time consuming, yes, but it covers my butt. I am starting to resent having to do that though.

We do NOT get paid enough to have this kind of responsiblity. Heck, we don't get PAID AT ALL to enter CC. Which I think is a big crock of you know what that we can be threatened with firing for a task we don't even get paid to do.

I think the samples in the repository have all the identifying info blocked out, though.

Wrong information given for cc - Just passing through

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If the dictator does not give FULL name, first and last (which they rarely do), I type it as dictated and leave a note. I have been told not to leave notes for this, but I told them I would continue to do so as long as I am being held accountable for dictator not giving enough information to assure correct name on cc and that if I cannot leave a note then I will not put anything on the cc list unless I am absolutely positive it is the correct name.

HIPPA test notice was in MQ Central news section, - dnr

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but who has the time to read that. I only read the MQ news if something catches my eye. They certainly have not been consistent with MQ Express (email summarizing the news). I've only received a couple since they bragged about doing this for us. I can't remember if they sent an official email about HIPPA testing, but my CCM sent out notice to take the test when the news first came out. I've got a good CCM and certainly hope to keep her. I'm sure, with the CTL position gone, she has at least twice as much work as I know, before this position, her work load had increased as they have to do personal client support which was done by another department which MQ got rid of.

I AM SO GLAD YOU POSTED THIS!! - FREAKED ME OUT WITH THE VIDEOS!

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YOU HAVE TO GO OVER THE STATE PRIVACY LAW VIDEOS UNDER THE HIPPA TEST. It is required.

MQ did not give full info about the HIPPA test. You have to call MQ lawyers now and ask them questions and there is a number they give at the end of the HIPPA test.

The HIPPA law HAS CHANGED and made it even worse for MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTIONISTS.

After taking the HIPPA test, we are required to go over the video of State Privacy Laws which is right under the HIPPA test. IT FREAKED ME OUT COMPLETELY! The examples, OH MY GOSH!

YOU CAN EASILY AND I MEAN EASILY GET FIRED AND PAY A 2,500 FINE OR EVEN WORSE, 25,000 FINE. Yes, MQ covers some of the costs, but you can still get fined for typing out a fax number and accidentally getting 2 digits wrong. You know how it can be with the kids bugging you, phone ringing, someone at the door, or husband asking where is my food. Hahaha.

The post above who explained what happened to them a few months ago will now be fired along with the manager and will be fined 2,500 for it.

I FEEL REALLY SORRY FOR OUR MANAGERS AS THEY HAVE IT THE WORST.

Yes, I am all for the laws and some of it is obvious like do not look into movie stars medical records or sell info to make money. But some of the examples? OH MY GOSH! YOU HAVE TO SEE THE VIDEO.

I even posted down below about this situation. I immediately called my husband after seeing the video and was so upset that I got my panties all tied in knots. I stated in previous post "BETTER NOT HAVE ANY ENEMIES." My husband wants me to talk to a lawyer about all this and our home insurance about the computer and what to do.

I see a lot of twisted things are going to happen in the future with this new HIPPA law. The lawyers are going to have a field day with this.

I DO NOT GET PAID ENOUGH FOR THIS JOB! AND NOW I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT GETTING FIRED AND ESPECIALLY, PAYING ANYWHERE FROM A 2,500 FINE TO A 250,000 FINE? NO THANKS, I HAVE HAD ENOUGH.

So I am through with medical transcription. I was so happy about this TAA, but I think it is a dream come true. I want to go back to school and do something much better in this world then be punished for being a medical transcriptionist. I have been doing this over 20 years and FED UP WITH IT ALL.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL IN THE FUTURE!!!

I agree. I am also worried about being fired and - paying a 2,500 fine or worse, 25,000 fine.

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I do not think a lot of MT's have watched the videos, if they did, they would be all over this board discussing it.

video - sm

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Please explain how to get to video on MQCentral. Thx!

HOW TO GET TO VIDEO FOR THE FINES YOU WILL PAY - 2,500-250,000 and can easily get fired.

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Go to MQCentral
Departments
Human Resources
Learning and Development
Employee orientation
Legal Awareness
Down at bottom of page "STATE PRIVACY LAWS" Right under the HIPPA test that does not really tell you anything, but the examples of the video sure as heck does!!!!

Susan's video and what about Tammy's video? Yep, that freaked me out. Just need someone to twist things and boom, you are fired and fined. GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!!

fines - anon

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I am more concerned about what an MME may put in my report once I've sent it and if that will someone come back on me. I always leave notes when doc/fax/etc. info is very limited such as cc to Dr. Smith. I am beginning to love verbatim accounts because at least there might be some accountability with the doctors and their cc or addressee info.

I have the same fear. - I have seen

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my reports changed by MME before and the changes were incorrect. I always email my CCM regarding this to cover my butt.

MQ - oldone

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I have never worked for Medquist. They tried to hire me twice over the years but thankfully something good came along in that same time frame. How DO these people stay in business. MQ sounds horrible, horrible, horrible...especially when we read posts where folks who have been with them 10 years are now leaving. Can something be done about a company like this?

You are not overreacting. - By manager, in an email,

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Stated to do the HIPPA test and then we were required to do the State Privacy Law. After looking at the videos of State Privacy Law, I was waiting for something to state that I finished it and it was okayed or checked off, but nothing.

I think MQ is a bit worried we would all panic like we are now and frankly, after watching the videos, who wouldn't!

There used to be "errors and omissions" insurance available - L&L

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I was made aware of this when I started for YOG in 1992...most of the accounts were in California (a very litigious state). This was before HIPAA, though. If you are really worried, you might check into it. Unfortunately, I think it was primarily offered through The Association of Self Important Overgrandized Old Biddies, aka, AHDI.

OMG tooooo funny, but true (ADHI). Old Yogger here too. - Bunion

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Thanks for the joy.

Love
Bun

Thank you for your responses. So its not just me. - anon

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Maybe if I cared more I would look into insurance or whatever, but I think this is the last straw. I can't work like that. I think of myself a good transcriptionist. Not the fastest, but accurate and I've been doing this a really long time. I'm already burned out and this is just one last thing. I don't work for free and if I were to be fined for something stupid thats exactly what I would be doing. This burns me up cause I really hate change! Thanks for letting me vent.

I am in the same boat! This is my last straw too! - I feel EXACTLY the way you are feeling about all t

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I have enough and REALLY, REALLY want to go to school do something else. I cannot possibly live in fear anymore. I am glad you posted.

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