Author Topic: Offshore coding/Billing... How our US organizations IGNORE THE OBVIOUS  (Read 3171 times)

PMRNC

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This is some scary *($%. AHIMA's take on offshore outsourcing.. this is what they say about the downside of offshore outsourcing: "The downside of offshore coders is their conservative coding patterns. By nature the offshore coder is fearful of miscoding a case, their ability to self-interpret medical record documentation is low, and additional levels of quality assurance review are needed." No where is mention of the LEGAL consequences or the fact that US PROVIDERS are the ones on the hook for non compliance because the arm of the US law does not reach overseas.

 http://library.ahima.org/xpedio/groups/public/documents/ahima/bok1_050329.hcsp?dDocName=bok1_050329.. The Good, the Bad, and Reality?? Forget the obvious.

I often wonder when we are going to care ENOUGH about this industry here in the US to at least see the obvious.   Go look on the AAPC's website and tell me where you see where their name as it was created is stated : American Academy of Procedural Coders. YOU will not find it. Why is that??? Even under their Logo it says now "Advancing the Business of Healthcare". Those who have been in the business long enough, remember when they called themselves the AMERICAN ACADEMY of Procedural Coders. 

When are we going to hold US organizations accountable for their enabling and support of offshore outsourcing???
« Last Edit: March 23, 2014, 09:00:15 PM by PMRNC »
Linda Walker
Practice Managers Resource & Networking Community
One Stop Resources, Education and Networking for Medical Billers
www.billerswebsite.com

HeidiK

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Good Morning!

This is such a great topic and one that definitely affects so many in the healthcare industry.  HIPAA concerns, liability and legal consequences are the "hot topics" now whether the violation takes place in-house, at a vendor or medical billing service facility or offshore.  Everyone involved in the management of health records should take the necessary steps to avoid compliance issues.

The article you offered as a source raised many good points as well as questions about this growing trend. However, as with anything else, one's own interpretation is just that - their own.  You quoted the downside of offshore outsourcing and yet, you didn't point out the many advantages listed directly above that paragraph.  As with anything else, there are pros and cons to any given situation.

My interpretation of the article is that AHIMA actually does, in fact, recognize the legal consequences of offshore outsourcing and that is the reason why they have stopped offering their credentials and access to exams to many countries outside of the U.S.

"The Commission on Certification for Health Informatics and Information Management (CCHIIM) has recently instituted an indefinite moratorium on AHIMA credential testing in several countries due to exam security concerns. After receiving reports that AHIMA's CCS and CCA exams' security had been compromised in India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), CCHIIM moved in spring 2013 to suspend all AHIMA exam testing in countries considered to be at high or moderate risk for testing security concerns by its international certification testing partner, Pearson VUE."

Further research into AHIMA's stand on offshore outsourcing can be found and one article in particular from 2010 shows how AHIMA did mention the legal consequences of offshore outsourcing.  This has been a growing concern for many hospitals and other healthcare facilities for some time.

http://journal.ahima.org/2010/11/01/transcription-compliance-under-hitech/

As far as here in the "good old U.S. of A", it should be noted how many breaches and violations occur on a daily basis right here in our own country.  Anyone handling medical records should take the necessary precautions to protect patient's privacy.
Heidi Kollmorgen, CCS-P
AHIMA Approved ICD-10 Trainer
hdmedicalcoding.com

HeidiK

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Hello again!

I did a little more research and found that AAPC accredits two organizations to administer their exams offshore.  Perhaps if enough people would write to their local and national chapters they will soon follow AHIMA's lead and stop offering their credentials to offshore companies.

http://www.healthcarebillinginstitute.com/About.aspx

There are many AAPC discussion boards on this topic as well and members are not happy!  With so many medical billing and coding professionals seeking work in the U.S., it does raise questions as to why AAPC would allow this to continue. 
Heidi Kollmorgen, CCS-P
AHIMA Approved ICD-10 Trainer
hdmedicalcoding.com

PMRNC

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Quote
My interpretation of the article is that AHIMA actually does, in fact, recognize the legal consequences of offshore outsourcing and that is the reason why they have stopped offering their credentials and access to exams to many countries outside of the U.S.

I don't get that interpretation at all. I find just like the others they disregard their "American" name and while they can declare they "recognize", in fact the buck starts with them and AAPC and the other so-called AMERICAN associations who are funding this! They have the "If you can't beat them, join them attitude." that's not ok with me. It's just another way for them to explain themselves for their greed. JMHO as rough as it might be, it's mine.
Linda Walker
Practice Managers Resource & Networking Community
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www.billerswebsite.com

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