All posts tagged US

A Complete Description Of Medical Transcription

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What is Medical Transcription?

Medical transcription is the process of converting medical audio-recordings created by health care professionals into their text equivalent. The text documents produced from the audio recordings are then used for different purposes medical or legal purposes.

The Medical Transcription Process

The medical transcription process allows the physicians to take fast and efficient dictated recording of a patients’ record, findings, operations and the physicians’ recommendations without the need to manually write them down. This allows the physicians to proceed to more critical tasks directly related to saving lives and not have to worry about proper documentation.

The Medical Transcriptionist

On the side of the medical transcriptionists, they receive the dictated audio-recordings, listen to it and transcribe it. It’s not as easy as it looks because these recordings are heavily abbreviated and filled with medical terms and description of medical analysis and procedure.

Duties of Medical Transcriptionists

The duty of the medical transcriptionist is to transcribe the audio-recordings completely and correctly. A mistake in certain medical terms can lead to negative health effects to the owners of the medical records being transcribed.

So the medical transcriptionist needs proper background on medical terminologies, processes and procedures along with good language skills particularly in grammar and punctuation.

Technology and Medical Transcription

The medical transcription industry benefits a lot from the internet and related technology improvements. This is because data exchange is now much faster between the medical transcriptionists and the consumer of information that includes Doctors, record section of hospitals, insurance agencies and the patients themselves.

In fact the internet is a very efficient platform for medical transcriptionists. Through the internet, medical transcriptionists can receive audio-recordings and send the transcripts of the recordings anywhere in the globe as long as internet connection is available. Doctors on far-flung clinics can have their patients’ audio recording sent to medical transcriptionists in the city and retrieve the information as soon as it’s done without having the need to travel. This allows Doctors more time to focus on their patients and other critical tasks they need to do.

The Medical Transcription Industry Is Growing

Recently, the US labor statistics released a report predicting the further growth of the medical transcription industry. It said that the biggest growth will be experienced by the home-based service providers. This isn’t surprising, considering that technology is making data transmission and retrieval fast and efficient. It only makes sense that in the coming years a lot of medical transcription jobs will be outsourced to work-at-home service providers.

But what is causing the growth? Sad to say that the increase in health care service demand is driving the growth of this allied health service. Remember, the more patients require medical care, the more information will be required to be transcribed. This is the reason why there is an increasing demand for this service.

The professionals in this industry are lucky because it means there will be continuous growth and long term job security in this sector.

Medical Transcription Certificate

Clearly, proper training is required for those who want to start a career as a medical transcriptionist. The proper training must include not only language training but a comprehensive background on medical terminologies, punctuations and procedures and on physiology as well. Most training programs will allow students to take a certification exam at the end of the course, and it’s ideal to take it. However, at present a medical transcription certificate is not an enforced requirement when applying for a job as a medical transcriptionist.

Lytec Medical Billing Software

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One of the most widely use software in the area of medical billing is the Lytec medical billing software. Many professionals completely rely on this software for assistance in billing, coding and insurance reimbursement.

Around for nearly two decades Lytec medical billing software, since 1989 have proved indispensable for thousands of medical billing pros who have found it to be a trustworthy tool to operate their businesses.

What is it that makes Lytec so trustworthy? It is not the brand reputation nor the marketing hype, but rather its unique combination of a proven technical superiority and personalized services which make the brand so popular amongst all other brands available in the market. The software not only hikes up profitability of the business, but also helps in economizing on costs as well.

Nearly 20 years after the first Lytec software hit the market a newer and improved system has been launched the Lytec 2005. As incredible as it may sound more than 40000 systems got sold out within the first few months of its introduction. Thus Lytec clearly emerged as the market leader in practice management and medical billing software segment. The software delivers exactly what is needed by its user, including patient accounting, insurance billing, claims tracking, accounts receivable, and appointment scheduling.

If you wish to smarten up yur business, there is no alternative to Lytec medical billing software. Thousands of users unanimously agree that it is not only an asset in the office but an invaluable tool for the entire healthcare management scenario.

The job of a medical billing person is strewn with attention to details and superior levels of accuracy. There is hardly any place for glitches or errors, however small they may be.

What are the additional value-added features of the trusted Lytec medical billing software? Firstly, it is HIPPA or, Health Insurance Probability and Accountability Act compliant. Incidentally, this Act has certain laid-down guidelines which every medical practice has to abide by. This has been mandatory by the US government. With this software, because of its built-in HIPPA compatibility, you need not take the trouble of familiarizing yourself with all the complex systems as the software does all that for you.

The other features which this soft ware has and which make it stand out from the rest include: ApptBox, Electronic Claims Processing, AccuScrubber MX, Direct Claims, and more. The AccuScrubber is an additional program which can be loaded on to your computer which allows you to review any healthcare claim. It is perfectly compatible with the Lytec medical billing software and does not cause any errors or hurdles during its operation. It simply adds more value to the overall system.

The ApptBox is a type of automated communication system which permits any physician’s office to confirm a patients’ appointment and other communication related functions.

Perhaps the best in terms of functionality, value-additions and convenience, the Lytec medical billing software has proved to be an asset for the user and the using companies.

Your Worksite and Medical Marijuana

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Nowadays, with 14 US states that have legalized medical marijuana, there are perhaps hundreds of thousands of employers, who wonder about the ways to keep the worksite drug free and meantime provide the adequate environment for workers, who are taken through marijuana treatment. In reality, the general medical marijuana topic is a mess. The federal authorities dont want to move from their all marijuana is illegal position and marijuana-legal states have unbelievably different approaches to the issue. Thus, there has never been a better time for reviewing drug policy of your company.

Here are some guidelines to the major white spots:

For enterprises that work for the government, like those with federal contracts, the directing document should be Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, which bans the utilization of marijuana in jobsites that participate in federal contracts.

The DOT Department of Transportation as well bans the use of medical marijuana for employees that are in so-called safety-sensitive positions, such as bus drivers, subway operators, truck drivers, armed transit security, ship captains, and pilots. This ban covers all states, involving the states that have legalized medical marijuana. Thus, even if you have a medical marijuana card, but you have to fly a 757, you have to make sure that your medical marijuanas effect has passed, when you board your pilot seat.

Some attorneys advise to treat marijuana treatment as if it was a use of any other prescription drug, and the worker could do it legally and safely. They claim that such attitude can save employers both money and time in a situation that leads medical marijuana to the point of getting more and more accepted by society and becoming legalized in greater number of states during the next few years.

Different States Different Regulations

First of all, in the legalized states, every patient that has a medical marijuana card is protected from detainment as long as they have dealt with all the needed documentation and has the proof of a doctors approval for their marijuana treatment. But this is just the beginning.

If you live and work in Oregon or California and you are tested positive for marijuana at your workplace, you can get fired. You can even be fired if you use medical marijuana with the required approval, and a prescription from your physician, who takes you through your marijuana treatment.

Just recall a precedent back in 2008 the Ross vs. RagingWire case. Back then, the Supreme Court of California settled that the employer drug test is legal and that it isnt discriminative to fire a worker for marijuana use, even when its not used in the jobsite. Oregon had the Emerald Steel Fabricators, Inc. vs. Bureau of Labor and Industries, the states Supreme Court settled that Oregon employers have to not support the workers medical marijuana use, since the federal law takes priority over state laws.

Patients that undergo marijuana treatment in Vermont, will be most probably arrested if found using or under the influence of medical marijuana in their workplaces. The same is true about New Mexico patients.

In certain states, such as Rhode Island and Maine, you wont be discriminated or fined for your employment of medical marijuana, if you have a medical marijuana card.

In the end, simply dont forget to review the regulations and laws of your state thoroughly, prior to using medical marijuana either at home or in the jobsite.

What are the Top Medical Schools

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Every ambitious and aspiring medical student wants to be accepted into the top medical schools. While it may make no difference which medical school you attend to get your license as an M.D., it does matter in the career and networking opportunities you have after graduation. In this article, we will discuss some of the top medical schools in the United States.

Harvard Medical School — this one tops the list, especially when it comes to research, but is also strong for primary care.

John Hopkins University — as far as US news is concerned, John Hopkins Hospital has been the best in America for the last 17 years in a row.

Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis — with 115 years of experience and research, education and patient care. Its rich history and in-depth research is sure to help you in your professional career.

Oregon Health and Science — while it’s the only health research university in the state of Oregon, it presents an excellent opportunity to learn about patient care, both for in-state and out-of-state students.

University of Pennsylvania — with an equal commitment to being a leader in patient care, research and education, Penn medicine is an excellent choice for any aspiring doctor. In fact, their goal is to be recognized nationally as the most accomplished and respected school of medicine.

Duke University School of Medicine — Duke University boasts a community of scholars, who are devoted to teaching, research and patient care. In addition, they’re graduating classes averaged 60% less debt than other private medical schools in the nation. In fact, the debt was even less than public medical schools, on average.

Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons — the main focus of the College of Physicians and Surgeons is on medical education, which they pour all their resources into. They are an excellent choice for both general and special practice, as well as offering advancement in research, teaching or even administration.

University of New Mexico School of Medicine — the US news, 2007 addition, ranked the University of New Mexico school of medicine as a number two program in the nation for rural medicine, as well as number 10 in the nation for family medicine. In fact, five departments were also ranked in the top 40 in the National Institutes of Health.

In conclusion, consider this list of top medical schools when you consider who to send your application into, it also worth building strong credentials to increase the chances of being accepted into one of these top medical schools.

Medical Tourism

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Medical tourism is the process of traveling abroad in order to receive medical care, be it cosmetic surgery, heart surgery, breast implants, a hip replacement, or dental work.

Rising health care costs and longer waiting times in the western countries like United States, Canada, and UK etc. are inducing patients to seek treatment overseas. While U.S. consumers are concerned mainly with the exorbitant cost of health care, Canadians are more troubled by wait-times for certain treatments. Indeed, approximately 1 million Canadians claim to be experiencing difficulties in access to care. As for UK, it is believed that more than 50,000 people from the UK travel for treatment abroad because of high medical care costs in UK.

Medical Tourism in South Korea South Korea has been growing as a tourist destination of choice for health and vacation because of their world class physicians, modern technology, and unique caring and compassion at great values for money at a fraction of the cost in the west. The country is home to some of the best hospitals and stand alone Specialty clinics in the world, offering world-class expertise, state-of-the-art facilities, and the warmth of hospitality. Also, some of the world’s best spa retreat resorts and tour destinations can be found in this part of the earth. Additionally, it’s not unusual to find plus accommodations, foreign language translators, and other amenities at some of the major facilities.

South Korea has made its initial foray into the lucrative market of medical tourism by launching the Council for Korea Medicine Overseas Promotion. Funded by the Government and 28 private hospitals, this organization will market medical packages to foreign patients seeking affordable health care. The Council has initiated a set of measures to promote the medical vacation industry by aiding hospitals in their marketing strategies. In this way, South Korea can generate greater overseas awareness of the country’s medical and tourism offerings. According to a Council official:

The average charge for an in-patient visit in a US hospital is dollar3,762, which is 13 times higher than in South Korea.

The average charge for outpatients in the US is dollar13,000 which is 9 times higher than in South Korea. South Korea’s affordable health care system has seen the number of foreign patients rise from 10,000 to 13,000 in just 2 years. With all these added measures in place, South Korea is on its way to claim its share in the prosperous medical vacation business

Benefits of Medical Tourism Health care costs are constantly on the rise in countless Western countries. In the US alone, it is already a multi-billion dollar industry that shows no sign of stopping (worldwide it is over dollar3 trillion US). But why pay exorbitant prices at home when you can travel abroad and receive the same treatment (if not better) from a fully certified medical facility for a fraction of the price?