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As the need for medical transcription is increasing, there are lots of companies in the U.S. engaged in the business of medical transcription. Ensuring the confidentiality and security of patient information is of utmost importance while outsourcing. The HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) was passed by the U.S. Congress in 1996 to protect patient identities and their health information. However, it cannot be said that all medical transcription companies in US are HIPAA- compliant. So healthcare facilities and physician practices need to be wary of such companies and outsource their transcription to only a reliable and experienced HIPAA-compliant service provider. HIPAA medical transcription helps healthcare professionals to safeguard all patient health records and information in accordance with law and avoid the legal issues and litigation associated with disclosure.

Steps Taken to Ensure HIPAA Compliance

A professional medical transcription company would have several measures in place to protect the confidentiality of the patient health information (PHI) that it handles and ensure compliance with HIPAA norms. These measures include the following:  

• All staff in the transcription firm are trained and monitored on adherence to HIPAA rules to prevent possibility of violation

• Safe file transfer is ensured between client and service provider with measures such as File Transfer Protocol (FTP), browser-based secure 256 bit AES encryption and secure uploading and downloading

• Regular software updates and use of quality antivirus software

• Firewall-protected networks and password protected computers

• No home-based medical transcription

• Once the transcription is over, hard copies of documents containing sensitive patient information are shredded on site.

• Measures are taken to see that no information leaves the transcription department

• Continuing technical evaluation of safety measures and requirements

Benefits of HIPAA Compliant Medical Transcription Outsourcing

Assures security in medical information outflow: Outsourcing to a HIPAA-compliant firm in the U.S. assures that healthcare entities do not have to worry about the insecure outflow of patient information to a third party. These transcription firms ensure that no data will be accessed or misused by an unauthorized person.

Protects from safeguard issues: Strict compliance with HIPAA guidelines helps healthcare organizations and physicians protect their reputation and safeguard against issues such as loss of credibility and litigation.

Minimizes chances of data manipulation: A reliable HIPAA-compliant rules reduces the odds of data manipulation and the misuse of crucial medical reports.

Find a HIPAA Complaint US Medical Transcription Company

It is important to contract with a reliable HIPAA medical transcription firm in US. Browse the web, list HIPAA-complaint medical transcription companies, and choose one that can provide accurate documentation in customized turnaround time. A professional firm can provide medical transcription services for the documentation of patient history and physical examination reports, consultation notes, procedure notes, progress notes, operative notes, laboratory and scan reports, and discharge summaries for all specialties





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