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The Search For Quality MTs
Medical Transcription Service Owners Reimbursement
The Search for Quality MTs
By Meditec Contributor & JumpStart Coordinator: Dawn Moreno
In setting up newly graduated students into our Jump Start Internship Program, we have interaction with our MTSO partners who will eventually be hiring the interns. In discussions with the MTSOs, many comment about how they are frustrated with the lack of qualified MTs entering the workforce. Even experienced MTs have problems accurately completing basic skills employments tests, leaving the hard-working and very busy MTSO in a real bind when s/he needs to add a few good MTs quickly. Most of these employers simply want MTs who have a good understanding of different report types including basic headings, formatting, “rules,” and guidelines. They also want to make sure that “newbie” errors like typing “diagnosis” instead of “diagnoses” are not something they will have to Q&A.
It can be perplexing for some working MTs who have transcribed the same accounts for many years, in just one specialty, to transition into working for an employer with lots of different dictators and specialties. What can an MT do to make testing and hiring go more smoothly? Studying or reviewing the AAMT Book of Style guidelines can be helpful, but also having a flexible attitude if your client simply doesn’t like to follow all of those guidelines. Additionally, it is a good idea to read up on the new terminology and unfamiliar specialties. Another great idea is to make sure that you have the proper medical references on hand. If hired, the first thing is to request samples of past reports. That way, you can see the doctor’s style of dictation as well as familiarize yourself with the related specialty (and maybe the dictator’s idiosyncrasies as well) terminology.
To be a quality MT you must be willing to be flexible, not be offended easily (remember it is the quality of the dictation that must go to the customer which has nothing to do with your personal feelings and hang-ups about the “right and wrong way”). It helps to have a love of learning new things. MTSOs want to people who learn quickly, and who take the initiative to clear up any possible deficits in skill sets cheerfully. Most of the MTSOs I have talked to, don’t mind working with an experienced MT that has some skill deficits IF their attitude is positive and they have a teachable personality. Conversely, experienced MTs who insist that they know how to do it better than their employer, and who don’t want to make the needed changes in their transcription style, are the ones that drive MTSOs crazy!
The same thing is true for interns, only worse. They are nervous anyway and the slightest criticism makes them feel “stupid.” We encourage them to learn to be humble, take all the errors in stride, BUT DON’T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKES AGAIN. Believe us, editors remember!
The JumpStart Internship partners that Meditec works closely with enjoy bringing on our interns because they are well trained and have good attitudes. The client understands that these new ones will be a handful for a few months, but because they are eager to learn, and don’t want to make the same mistakes over and over, it is an investment that we and our clients are willing to make in good people. Some good advice to follow in your MT career once you are comfortable in your job with your current accounts, start working on learning more. More…
* Terminology
* Anatomy
* Procedures
* Other specialities
Make this a fun part-time pursuit and you will become a more employable MT. Always strive to continue learning. MTs are medical professionals and should always try to stay on the cutting edge of medical terminology, new formatting guidelines, technology (particularly in the electronic records field) within the industry.
If you are a graduate of another MT program, and are having a hard time finding a job, we may be able to assist you with our internship program. If interested contact: Dawn Moreno at DawnM@meditec.com
Accurate Coding- It’s Importance
By Meditec Contributor: Dawn Moreno
Based on BC Advantage article “Florida Crackdown on Medicaid Fraud (Sept 2009)
Most medical coders, even new or inexperienced ones, understand why it’s important to code accurately and properly. In an article in BC Advantage magazine (Sept 2009) it talks about a Florida agency crackdown on Medicaid fraud, especially highlighting the fraudulent reimbursement for DME (durable medical equipment).
The article discusses how an AHCA team of investigators conducted site visits at 12 providers, and 120 individuals who had received oxygen concentrators to determine if all of these were necessary. What they found out is that Medicaid paid for equipment that was missing, unused, or never received by the individuals.
They are in the process of now deciding if these discrepancies were the result of billing errors, abuse of the system (fraud). All suspected cases of fraud are turned over to the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
This article brings home the point that “ignorance” of correct coding policy and standards is not justification for “accidental” abuse and fraud. It’s like receiving a speeding ticket and your defense is that you were unsure what the limit was. It’s extremely important to code correctly, avoid upcoding, and knowing the rules and laws surrounding Medicaid, Medicare, and each company that you submit to.
The penalties for fraud whether “accidental” or “intentional” are the same. It really gives medical coders something to think about. Medical coding schools and programs need to have a heavy focus on the ethics, rules, and laws surrounding this profession and not just teach students how to look up codes.
Self Employed Health Insurance Written by Kuldeep SEO
If you are self employed and does not have a health insurance plan then you have to think again. In these hard times, when recession is at its peak and medication is so costly, a health insurance plan is a very cost effective way of insuring yourself against any major health problem. A self employed health insurance plan is applicable to those who are not covered under a group health plan. In the United States of America, self employed medical insurance is available under the COBRA, which is Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986. Under this act, a person can continue to use group health insurance benefits even after he or she has left a job for a period of 18 months.
Though this might be one of the available options to take a self employed health insurance, there are several personal health insurance policies for self employed individuals. If you are healthy and have a good medical history, purchasing a health insurance plan is easy. But this does not mean that you’ll bypass some legal formalities. An individual still needs to fulfill some of the legal requirements to purchase an insurance policy. One also has to ensure that the policy chosen is the most cost-effective one available. One should shop for a policy that covers the maximum medical expenses at reasonable rates. One of the most important things to keep in mind is to see whether the policy covers pre-existing diseases or conditions that an individual suffers prior to signing on policy papers.
There are some advantages of self employed health insurance plan over a group health insurance plan. In a group health insurance plan offered by the employer, a person cannot choose the coverage. However, with a self employed health insurance policy, one has the option to select the type of insurance based on the coverage. In most case you would be offered 100 per cent tax deductions on the annual premium paid under a self employed health insurance plan. Thus taking a self employed health insurance plan has dual benefits. It saves your money and also ensures you against health problems.
But before you take a plunge, it is good idea to look for alternative online quotes from several insurance companies and choose from among them. All you need is a bit of research and understanding of intricacies of a good self employed health insurance policy online.
If all the plans are simply too expensive for your budget, you might consider using discount services. Meditec offers the Careington Plan (and has enjoyed discounts of up to 50% since most providers accept the plan). Here is where you read about it: http://www.meditec.com/discounted-healthcare-plan.html.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBlast.com
POSITIVE THOUGHTS FOR OCTOBER:
As our economy is slowly recovering, many people are finding it still difficult to get by. When things get tough, it’s easy to lose our perspective and fall into a negative cycle of thinking. This nearly always keeps that negative cycle fueled with energy and make it ongoing. Remember to take a moment and align thoughts with positivity, faith, hope, and compassion. Doing so will help us weather life’s storms. We were not promised a rose garden of life, but we do not have to live in the thorns of life.
1. You can’t change the whole world, and you certainly can’t change other people, but you do have the ability to change yourself. You can have a positive impact in your job, the people with whom you work, and the entire organization…the choice is up to you. –Cherie Carter-Scott
2. Once we hold a belief, it tends to stick with us for the rest of our lives, unless we challenge it. –Dr. Richard Gillett, Change Your Mind, Change Your World
3. Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. –Abraham Lincoln
4. Positive anything is better than negative nothing. –From The Road to Success is Always Under Construction
5. Don’t cry because it is over. Smile because it happened. –Dr. Suess
6. Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible. –Charles Caleb Colton
7. We often spend so much time coping with problems along our path that we only have a dim or even inaccurate view of what’s really important to us. –Peter Senge
8. Pessimists calculate the odds. Optimists believe they can overcome them. –Ted Koppel
9. I keep my mind focused on peace, harmony, health, love and abundance. Then, I can’t be distracted by doubt, anxiety, or fear. –Edith Armstrong
10. No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it. –Albert Einstein
This Month’s Recipe
Hot Chocolate- Homemade
- Large box powdered milk 11 cups
- Nestle Quick large container 3 cups
- Splenda 3 cups or can use confectioner’s powdered sugar or regular sugar
- 1 cup powdered {coffee} creamer (Vanilla Flavored)
- 1 cup Cocoa
- Chocolate chips large bag
Directions: Mix all ingredients in a large bowl w/ a spoon. If you have a sifter, sifting all ingredients is a great idea. Divide mixture between 2 large Ziplock bags, and shake vigorously to mix ingredients even more. To serve: 1 cup boiling water, add 3-4 tablespoons of mix. Voila! You can adjust this mix to your own personal taste, and even add some mini-marshmallows. Some people like to add some cinnamon and nutmeg to make it more holiday-ish : ). Enjoy!
