Starting a Medical Billing Business > Starting Your Own Medical Billing Business
Phone/Fax Business Services
Christy:
https://www.scrypt.com/sfax/
voquendo6167:
So according to the previous posts, I shouldn't use my house phone as my business phone, due to hipaa??
Michele:
Actually Linda was stating she wouldn't use voice over internet unless they were compliant and signed a BAA. She also stated that she would never use a home phone for business because she wouldn't mix business with personal. I did not make that statement so the following is my opinion of why Linda said that. I believe she is concerned with having your business calls coming in to your personal phone line for a couple of different reasons. 1. Are there other family members that answer this phone? Obviously if you have clients calling you it wouldn't be appropriate if you eight yr old (or whatever age child) is picking up the call. Also it wouldn't be good for anyone not employed by the business to be picking up the call for several reasons. The provider may not be happy if someone picks up they don't know, if you have an answer phone others can hear the messages, etc, etc. 2. If you don't have a system that identifies a business call vs a personal call how are you going to answer? Hello? XYZ Business? It just doesn't appear professional. I'm sure Linda may have other reasons as well but those are a few that I think she would mention.
With that being said, I think that it is possible to professionally use your home phone when getting started IF the situation is appropriate. A single person living alone might be able to pull this off. A couple whose spouse only uses his/her cell phone and won't be answering the home phone might be able to work it out. Caller id gives you a heads up as to if it's a friend/relative vs an unknown caller. Any that are not clear would be answered as the business. So it is not a violation of HIPAA to use your home phone IF you can guarantee that no one has access to the phone other than yourself and that any messages left would be secure, etc.
But the other issue is that as you grow you may decide you need a business line and switching numbers could be costly and a pain, so that is something to consider as well.
So basically it can be done but there are several HIPAA issues that you need to be sure are covered and is it really the best option. Hope that helps!
voquendo6167:
Yes this helps a lot.
I am just starting off and live alone, well my 11 year old daughter lives with me, but she wont answer the phone. And I receive all my personal calls on my cell phone. Thank you so much for responding. :)
PMRNC:
I would make sure your compliance plan includes your phone, fax, email process, this will eliminate any concerns.
My compliance plan includes a stand alone fax, email and phone.. it doesn't include language or interpretation that my daughter "won't answer the phone". I'm not trying to be a stickler but many starting out don't think they need to have a compliance plan and this is one such example to show you do need one. Not saying your daughter will answer the phone but there should be compliance plan in place to explain the process and how the process is compliance. This will only help you as a billing company that works from a home office.
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