Medical transcription services: At low costs

The dilemma of every healthcare facility during the decision making process for outsourcing is to determine which service provider will deliver low cost medical transcription as promised. That is quality transcription, at low cost, within the turnaround time promised and without compromising the security of data. Once the process of choosing an outsourcer starts, the deluge of information available can be really confusing, often misleading. Creating patient records being such a critical function requires the healthcare facility to proceed with the outsourcing decision cautiously.

Given below are a few indicators that will help separate the wheat from the chaff and make the outsourcing process more effective.

o Check for billing methods: Medical transcription service providers use several methods for billing that can often look attractive, but turn out to have hidden costs. Often the method of billing leaves a huge scope for manipulation. The billing method used needs to be definable, verifiable, measurable, consistent and fair & honest. There are various methods by which this work is billed; the billing could be based on page, report, and gross lines or by minutes of dictation. All these methods leave room for manipulation. The “character line” method of billing has been found to be adhering to the Billing Method Principles as prescribed by AHDI and gives a representation of fair charges for services rendered.

o Check for training practices: Training methods used by the service provider directly affect the accuracy level and the turnaround time times and this would have an indirect impact on the cost per line. A service provider, which is committed to providing their customers with the best possible service, would refine their training methods according to the need of the healthcare professionals. Transcriptionists trained in one or two specialties of medicine would be able to provide quality transcription within the promised turnaround time from the very beginning.

o Check whether the medical transcription service provider uses subcontractors: Often it has been seen that service providers further subcontract the work to subcontractors, which would result in dilution of quality, delay in turnaround time and compromise the security of the data. This indirectly impacts the cost per line of transcription.

o Check for methods used to obtain the accuracy levels guaranteed: Often in the quest for meeting turnaround time, accuracy of reports generated could be compromised. This could lead to gross errors in reports and result in frequent mishaps.

o Check for the technology used: The technology used by the service provider not only affects the turnaround time, but also can have an impact on the technology spending of the healthcare facility. In some cases when the security measures are not adequate it could also affect the security of the data.

o Check for success stories: The experience of the medical transcription service provider in providing solutions to healthcare facilities of various dimensions would clearly indicate the willingness of the service provider to tailor their services to the specific needs of the healthcare facilities, without adversely compromising cost, quality, turnaround time and security.

o Check for open channels for customer service: The transition from in-house services to outsourced medical transcription services can have a few hiccups in the beginning stages. A proactive customer service department can solve all minor issues from the very beginning. It is important to check whether the service provider has open channels for response to queries.

Ascertaining that the service provider indeed fulfills all these criteria can ensure quality services at low costs. Author:Renee Kelly has written numerous articles on services provided by medical transcription companies, which has served as an amazing resource for healthcare facilities and healthcare professionals seeking transcription service. Source: http://articlenexus.com