Simple Tips to Organizing Your Vital Information - Are You Prepared?

By Ricki Pagano

If you're like most people, you have some good personal and financial records. It's just that they're in a dozen or more locations known only to you.
I grew up in a household where it was not unusual for my mom to be frantically running around "Where is my purse?", "Where are my keys?", and "Where are my glasses?". Perhaps that can explain why I have adopted the keep it simple principle. When I enter my home, my keys, purse, and glasses are placed on the counter in the laundry room. The same should apply to personal and vital information. Ideally, there is a central location where this information can be referenced and accessible to you, your spouse or your family.
GETTING YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER
Start by compiling the following information complete with account numbers,
phone numbers, and addresses:
Emergency plan-list emergency contact and any instructions
Family information-name and contact information for immediate family members
Medical information-names, addresses, phone numbers of physicians, specialists
Medical history-list of medications, allergies, medical problems, treatments
Insurance information-Health, Life, Disability Income, Long Term Care, Homeowner's, Auto,
Mortgage
Legal information-Attorney's contact information, location of legal documents
Location of personal documents-Social Security card, Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate,
Real Estate documents, Insurance policies, Tax Returns, Employment Records, Title for Home,
Auto, Loan documents, spare keys, safety deposit box key
Financial information-name of advisors, CPA's contact information, Bank, Brokerage Account,
Retirement Accounts, Credit Cards, Contents of Safety Deposit Box
Personal Property-Inventory of jewelry, artwork, collectibles, furniture, other valuables
Final arrangements-Cemetery, Mortuary preferences, Organ Donation information
Set up an organizational system to store this information such as a notebook, binder, file
system or software program. Once established, have a copy stored in a place where you or your family can locate and update it periodically. One option would be a fire safe box. You may want to give a copy to your attorney or legal representative.
HELPFUL TIPS
-Have a Will, Medical Power of Attorney, Living Will, Financial Power of Attorney
-Once organizing system is set up, it is important to review and update periodically
-Communicate with family the location of your vital information and documents
-It is probably not wise to list all of your passwords to online accounts in one place
-Need to save tax returns and supporting documentation for 7 years
-Carry an emergency list of loved ones, doctors and advisors, medical information in your wallet
THE TIME TO PLAN IS NOW
A sudden unforeseen event can happen to us at any age, so it is important to act now
while you are healthy. If you read the paper, you know there are many who have failed
to put their medical and financial wishes in writing. As a result, families who are under
tremendous stress as it is are battling over the authority of medical decision making or
insignificant details not addressed in a will.
Some questions to ask yourself: If you had a house fire, would you easily be able to grab
your vital information? If you had a medical emergency, would your spouse or family be
able to locate your medical directives? Would you be able to locate your spouse's medical directives? If something were to happen to you and your spouse, have you designated a guardian for your minor children? What would you want to happen if you became disabled or died? Have you addressed this in your estate plan?
I will leave you with this thought. I received a call from my mother last night informing me that she left her keys in a store (I am not making this up). In order to have a copy made of her car key, she needed to bring in the title to her car. She reports she actually
found her car title without a problem! However, after having a duplicate key made for $100, the store contacted her to inform her they found her keys. To add insult to injury, her housekeeper found her spare car key. Organizing mom continues to be a work in progress.

Ricki Pagano has devoted her life to helping people cope with problems not of their making, problems that could befall any one of us.
Ms. Pagano graduated from the University of Arizona in 1981 with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, and three years later received her Master's Degree in Social Work from Arizona State University.
She spent the next 15 years working in the field of medical social work where she developed an expertise in, and love for, the area of geriatric care. It was here that she learned how essential it is to our own sense of well-being that we are able to maintain control over our own lives. And it was here that For the Record was conceived as a valuable tool for helping people regain and maintain that control.
Since 2001, Ms. Pagano has worked in the financial services industry, and recently established Pagano LTC , a firm which focuses exclusively on long-term care insurance planning.
You can learn more about "For The Record: A Personal Facts and Document Organizer" by visiting http://www.FortheRecordBook.com

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Medical Alert Infomercials

By Max Bellamy

Medical alert infomercials provide vital information about the various types of medical alerts that are available, their importance, and their usage.
Medical alerts are usually in the form of articles or accessories that communicate vital medical details, about a person to the medical society. This could be in the form of watches, bracelets, necklaces, clothing tags, and key rings. The trinkets can be stamped with important medical information, or a phone number of the person to be contacted, in case of emergency. The various forms of medical alert can also be shown on the infomercials.
Infomercials give physical demonstration about how to operate the various alerts. They show individuals having an emergency and being saved because of the medical alerts. They also get genuine users on the show, expressing their gratitude, for a specific medical alert that helped save their lives. The infomercial gives valid information about the procurement source, the cost factor, installation technique, and also the functional procedure of bigger medical alert devices.
The infomercials are sponsored programs on television or radio that are related to a specific topic. The manufacturers of these medical alert devices generally sponsor these. They generally give authentic information about the product, however they are business houses, and will definitely try and promote their product. They try and get eminent people on the shows to express their views on the subject. The infomercials could be in the form of a demonstration, a talk show, or even as a debate or a combination of all of them.
It is advisable for a prospective buyer to go through the infomercial that is either a visual or an audio, and then weigh all the pros and the cons of any system before the purchase. It is worthwhile to also go over other medical alerts being manufactured and promoted by various other companies. There could be a comparison made of all the various types and companies that would help the individual to make up their mind.

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Electronic Medical Record Policies

By Kent Pinkerton

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, went into effect in 1996, with an aim to protect the privacy of individually identifiable medical records. In April 2003, a mandatory Privacy Rule to protect individually identifiable health information came into effect for all health plans, health care clearinghouses, and providers who use electronic medical records. The Privacy Rule mandates the adoption of certain standards across the United States to protect, and prevent the misuse of, individually identifiable medical information. Failure to do may carry civil and criminal penalties under federal law. HIPAA is not meant to replace any existing laws that protect individual medical records, and some states have even more stringent laws in place to protect patients' privacy.
An entity covered under HIPAA is permitted to use medical information and to make certain incidental disclosures regarding medical information if reasonable safeguards are in place to prevent the use of such information for purposes not permitted under the Privacy Rule. Such safeguards include physician and medical staff discretion in discussing a patient's medical information, and structural safeguards such as storing patient files in a secure location with controlled access, protecting electronic records with passwords and firewalls, etc.
Another guiding principle of the Privacy Rule is that when medical information is disclosed for permitted purposes, the minimum necessary information, and no more, should be revealed. The minimum necessary standard does not apply to disclosures to or requests by physicians for patient information for treatment purposes. It also does not apply if an individual wants to access his or her own medical records, or authorizes others to access these records. Disclosures are also permitted where dictated by HIPAA, including disclosures to the Department of Health and Human Services where such disclosure is required for enforcement purposes.

Electronic Medical Records [http://www.WetPluto.com/Electronic-Medical-Record-Companies.html] provides detailed information on Electronic Medical Records, Electronic Medical Record Software, Electronic Medical Record Systems, Electronic Medical Record Companies and more. Electronic Medical Records is affiliated with HIPAA Laws [http://www.i-HIPAA.com].

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Medical Billing Basics - How Medical Billing Differs From Other Specialties

By Kevin Nelson

You might have already done enough research that you're familiar with the term "medical billing". But often times, people have different understandings of what medical billing actually is and how it differs from other similar aspects of the medical profession. Most often, medical billing is mistaken for medical transcription or coding, which are very closely related but different enough that they should really be considered 3 separate specialties. It's true that there is some overlap in terms of the actually work done in each of the three areas, but they all carry enough uniqueness and fill a specific role within the medical profession that they really are three separate specialties.
Medical billing consists of a number of different tasks. First, it involves the process of submitting medical claims to the insurance company of each patient. In addition, medical billing requires an understanding of the front office skills required to keep a medical office running smoothly and in an organized fashion. These include billing and accounting, secretarial work to support the doctors and other staff, documenting patient visits and medical care and keeping all patient information organized and easy to find.
Medical billing covers a wider scope with broader responsibilities when compared to medical coding or medical transcription. It covers the entire process, starting from scheduling the patient's initial visit to the office, making sure the patient keeps their appointment. After seeing the doctor, it involves ensuring the patient's medical records are updated and setting follow-up appointments if necessary.
Based on the system used in each particular office, the medical billing specialist will be responsible for organizing and maintaining the office's patient records. Of course these records include detailed histories of each patient's medical treatment and other pertinent information. This allows doctors and other staff to have quick and easy access to patient medical information for routine visits or in case of emergencies. They are also used to create records used for billing the patient's medical insurance company for treatment they receive.

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What to Look for in a Spanish Medical Translator

By Clint Tustison

Choosing a Spanish medical translator can be a difficult task for anyone. It's important for translators to always be as faithful as possible to the original sources, but medical translators actually often face situations that can be life or death.
Spanish medical translators translate all sorts of medical documents and information. This information can be anything from medical prescriptions to doctor transcriptions, to medical articles in medical journals. When you think about all the medical information out there that we use, it's easy to see how badly translating this type of information can quickly lead to very bad situations, and even medical tragedies.
Because medical translation is so important, choosing a good Spanish medical translator shouldn't be a process you go through half-heartedly.
So what are some things you should look for? Well, first of all, a good Spanish medical translator will be someone who obviously has a strong command of the Spanish language. Not only a strong command of the language is necessary however; the translator needs to have a good grasp on medical issues both in Spanish and English. Some medical treatments in Spanish-speaking countries could be different than treatments in the United States. The translator should know about these differences, or at least understand that these differences exist.
For the previous reasons, many Spanish medical translators are former or currently practicing physicians or nurses because they are better able to understand the medical industry, along with its often confusing jargon and terminology.
So if you're in need of a Spanish medical translator, or if you have desires to become a Spansh medical translator, be sure to take the above advice to heart. Your clients deserve the best and you have a duty to provide that to them.

Clint Tustison is a Spanish <--> English translator interested in helping businesses and translators better understand the translation industry. If you're interested in how to improve your translation business or your relationship with translation companies, check out his website at http://www.spanish-translation-help.com.

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Medcasting - Podcasting for the commercial medical industry

By Ryan Hoback

Medical casting or "Medcasting" is the commercial application of podcasting for medical related institutions. Medcasting is the distribution and publishing of audio and video feeds, that offer medical information delivered over the Internet, for on demand listening.
This is a new step in the evolution of on-demand medical information delivery, making it accessible, informative, useful and appealing. This mix presents the medical industry with a very unique opportunity to reach its community through this new medium. Those individuals, who are already seeking medical information actively, will use RSS subscription technology built into each podcast feed, to receive information immediately as it is updated by the medical institution. With one click of a button, a user can subscribe to a feed that may be interesting, and any related information that is ever updated to that feed will be automatically processed to their personal aggregator. An aggregator is able to subscribe to a feed, check for new content at user-determined intervals, and retrieve the content.
To take this process one step further, podcasting publishes each feed with the capability to be transferred to any portable audio or video device. So with the growth of the ipod and all the other portable media devices, you have the ability to grab Medcasts and place them on your portable player for listening or viewing. Most users attach their portable players to their computers daily or weekly, and once the player is attached they automatically receive the new medcast updates.
The flexibility of this medium is what will drive the growth of Medcasting tremendously over the next few years. Currently the most useful application for medical institutions worldwide is to compliment already existing medical information web pages. Most institutions have numerous web pages which deliver medical information in text format, by providing an audio or video link on that page it gives the user a different and potentially more effective format for receiving the information. This is also a great way to teach your existing users how to start utilizing medcasting services.
The popularity of portable on demand information will grow even greater as wireless internet services continue to flourish across the country. These portable devices will no longer have to be connected to the internet; they will receive information wirelessly as it is updated. In addition, as cell phones and portable devices continue to merge together, the market grows larger.
Additional formats that are being used consist of; medical talk shows, where various specialists within each institution will speak or answer questions on a certain topic. Medical lectures and seminars can be recorded and made available for the public or employees to download easily and on-demand. In addition, any information that may need to be delivered to employees can be recorded and made available on an in-house delivery network. For institutions that have thousands of employees, the distribution of company information is very important, and once again this offers each institution a method of on-demand delivery which is convenient to all. Medcasting can also be used as a direct line of communication, by recording video-casts of company messages from executives for company wide distribution.
There are numerous uses for medcasting currently, and over the next few years it will explode in popularity. It is beneficial to institutions as well as the consumer, and it will be seen as a great tool in any medical organizations' operations.

Ryan Hoback is CEO of What I Want Podcasting. They specialize in developing podcasts & nanocasts for a wide range of industries. Their development team guides each client through the process of creating podcasts that incorporate brand integration and deliver the target message through a positive visual & listening experience.
http://www.WhatIWantPodcasting.com
info@WhatIWantPodcasting.com

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Medical Alert Bracelets for Seniors

By Richard Romando

Senior citizens are an ideal age group for medical alert bracelet use. Medical alert bracelets for seniors are available in a wide array of materials. More so, these bracelets are vital in the event of a medical emergency.
Medical alert bracelets for seniors are vital. If an elderly person has a medical emergency, paramedics and other professionals can easily identify medical alert bracelet and note important medical information. For example, a bracelet may specify a diabetic's information, or simply note that the person is diabetic. Medical alert bracelets for seniors speak for senior citizens when they may not be able to directly relay their medical history to a paramedic. In addition, if their family member who knows their medical history is not present at the time of the emergency, the medical bracelet can easily report that information.
These bracelets are ideal for senior citizens with Alzheimer's, dementia, diabetes or a heart condition. Any condition is reason enough to take this important medical safety precaution. Especially when they travel and are not at home with their familiar doctor, a medical alert bracelet is a must-have item.
The key to getting senior citizens to buy and use these medical alert bracelets is to have a son, daughter or other loved one initiate the purchase if the senior citizen has not or is not willing to do so. By gently bringing up the matter, and letting the senior citizen know that medical alert bracelets for seniors are imperative for the child's peace of mind, many senior citizens will be receptive and order the bracelet. Some senior citizens may need to be reminded not to take the bracelet off, or to put it on at least when they travel and are not at home. Children of the elderly, home healthy aides and other caretakers should take special precaution to make sure the senior citizen knows how important it is that he or she wears the medical ID bracelet.

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Beaded Medical Alert Bracelets

By Richard Romando

If medical bracelet shoppers are looking for a stylish, fashionable medical alert bracelet, they may want to get away from traditional metals and go with beads. Owning a beaded medical alert bracelet is not only nice to wear, but can save your life in the event of a medical emergency. These bracelets, stylish as they are, are imperative for anyone with a medical condition to relay their personal medical information in the event that they cannot do so.
There are many websites on the Internet to help you find a beaded medical alert bracelet that suits you best. From nonprofit organizations that make beaded medical alert bracelets specifically for children to jewelers who make gemstone bracelets that look elegant, there are all sorts of beaded bracelets to suit personal needs and tastes. There are all sorts of beads to choose from in order to make a beaded medical alert bracelet look attractive.
From lamp-work beads and sapphire crystals to turquoise and coral, there are many materials and colors to choose from. Buying a beaded medical alert bracelet is ideal for anyone who wants to remain trendy and colorful, yet still keep authorities informed of their medical condition in the case of a medical emergency. Beaded medical alert bracelets bring a new style to the ever-growing number of designs. They bring an element of color to the medical alert bracelet industry, and offer a creative solution for those who want to discretely wear a bracelet, yet maintain style.
These bracelets are imperative for anyone with a medical condition from diabetes and Alzheimer's disease to lymphedema and allergies. They not only give live-saving information on behalf of the person wearing it when they cannot speak for themselves; they act proactively to prevent any medical mishaps. Beads provide a classic look that never goes out of style, and can be worn by men, women and children.

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Medical Alert Bracelets for Children

By Richard Romando

Children aren't exempt from having medical conditions, so it is important for those who do have medical problems to wear a child medical alert bracelet.
Parents can't always be there in the event of a medical emergency; and with kids at school all day, it's integral for peace of mind if they invest in a child medical alert bracelet. These bracelets are an easy way for medical and school personnel to retrieve important medical information when your child cannot relay it. They help avoid allergic reactions and other medical issues, for example.
Kids can be choosy, but with the many sellers online and offline, parents can easily help their children select a stylish piece of jewelry. It may be good to let children help select a child medical alert bracelet to ensure that he or she likes it enough to keep it on when you're not around -- when it's needed most.
Beads are a popular choice for girls and boys. Girls will like sparkling beads, while boys may go for something more plain. Plates with the medical symbol on them come in everything from stainless steel to silver and gold. Designer bracelets are growing in popularity for many adults, and many medical alert bracelet companies now make bracelets specifically for children. Other popular designs include plates in
fun shapes with the medical alert information on them.
Teens are a sensitive group, as many of them care about their appearance and the opinions of their peers. Ankle bracelets with a dangling charm or a small engraved plate are very acceptable jewelry accessories for teen girls. The beaded bracelets are also fun, decorative and fashionable and will complement any style rather than compete. Boys can discretely wear medical alert jewelry by wearing a sports wristband band or handsome watchband. These pieces can be as simple or elegant as the wearer wants and many manufacturers produce medical jewelry with a keen eye on fashion and style trends.
Parents can regain peace knowing that their child's medical information can easily be relayed to the paramedics or a school official in the event of an emergency. Children especially should have the proper medical information on them at all times, as many of them may have a drug allergy, asthma allergy, diabetes, or bee sting allergy.

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Technologically Boosting the Medical Transcription Company

By Joe Miller

Medical Transcription Company
Virtually every medical service provider dictates SOAP notes into recorders for transcription and sends them off to a medical transcription company to transcribe and return a refined copy of necessary medical information.
In fact, without the medical transcription company the medical service provider would be too overburdened with transcription to pay the attention it needs to its clients. However, the medical transcription company has had to undergo technological changes in order to keep up with demand and with competition. Fast-paced medical service requires fast-paced medical transcription. So, which medical transcription company will survive? The answer is the one that takes advantage of time-saving technology.
Medical Transcription
This answer is not at all uncommon now-a-days, but it is especially challenging in the field of medical transcription. Medical transcription is just as it sounds: transcribing on paper the notes that were audio recorded. It doesn't seem at first that much more technology is needed than a word processor and a cassette tape player.
The crux of the matter is controlling quantity. Effective records of SOAP notes, especially in the quantities supplied by medical offices, require the technological ability to not only record medical transcription but also to track it and store it.
Medical Transcription Job
The medical transcription job would be daunting at best without the help of technology. Let me review a general version of a medical transcription job check list:
1. Receive tapes from medical service provider.
2. Transcribe 1st draft of SOAP notes.
3. Save transcription.
4. Continue process with entire batch.
5. Review medical transcription for errors.
6. Make changes on 1st draft of medical transcriptions.
7. Send medical transcriptions back to medical service provider.
8. Bill medical service provider.
This process most often overlaps itself due to the management of multiple batches from multiple service providers. Organizational skill is high up on the requirements list for a medical transcription specialist.
Medical Transcription Program
Due to the massive amounts of medical transcription jobs and batches continually being sent back and forth between medical service providers and the medical transcription company, the market has awakened to meet medical transcription needs. Looking for a medical transcription program is so easy, it's hard. Just type "medical transcription program" into Google, Yahoo, or MSN and witness first hand the millions of indexed pages you might have to sift through.
In your search for a versatile medical transcription program suitable to medical service providers' needs, there are a few things to keep in mind. A medical transcription program has the ability to work in house, without IT infrastructure overhead.
There are additional medical transcription program specs to keep an eye out for. For example, a medical transcription program which combines the secure storage of medical databases and medical transcription provides the security and accessibility a medical service provider needs.
The right medical transcription program also provides organization for tracking the editorial stages of the SOAP notes and securing them, as well as sending them back to the right medical service provider.
The medical service provider runs a race of efficiency and professionalism in order to stay in business. The right medical transcription program provides a technological boost to propel medical service providers ahead of the rest of the pack.

Joe Miller is an author of informational articles and online advertisements [http://www.10xmarketing.com/Services/Advertising/Online-Advertising.html] on business, technology, and health. Information on Medical Transcription Company is available at AdvancedMD.com.

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The Right Prescription to Prevent Medical Identity Theft

By Linda K. Vincent

What do you do with your empty prescription bottles? What about all of the medical information you receive, such as your explanation of benefits? Being careless with your personal medical information can be dangerous, and the theft of this priceless data can be deadly.
Approximately 1.5 million Americans are victims of medical identity theft each year, a crime that costs the nation $41.3 billion annually. Prescription fraud is a growing form of medical identity theft that is not only extremely costly and time-consuming; it can also put your health at risk and even be life-threatening. Unfortunately, medical identity theft isn't commonly known by many Americans, and often isn't detected until it's too late. When we don't take precautions to prevent prescription fraud and other forms of medical identity theft, we put ourselves in jeopardy of becoming another victim.
What is Prescription Fraud?
Prescription fraud occurs when identity thieves use your personal information to fill prescriptions in your name. They use your medical identity to receive medical treatment at hospitals and doctors' offices, obtain medications, and access other healthcare services.
Prescription fraud doesn't just leave you with a huge bill-it can potentially put your health at risk as well. You may find that false information has been added to your personal health record, such as a change in blood type or supposed allergies. Every medical procedure received and prescription filled by the identity thief becomes part of your medical history, which means you may not be able to obtain the life-saving treatment you need in an emergency medical situation.
Detecting and resolving medical identity theft can be difficult as well. You may not discover that you're a victim until a pharmacy refuses to fill a prescription because it conflicts with another medication you appear to be taking. To make matters worse, fixing errors in your record can be very challenging due to medical privacy laws. Ironically, the same laws that were implemented to protect your privacy and health information are now protecting the medical identity thief. This restricted access to medical records prolongs the duration of the theft, costing you countless time, money, and frustration.
How to Prevent Prescription Fraud
One of the easiest ways to avoid this type of medical identity theft is simply to be aware of what you throw in the trash. Prescription medication labels carry such sensitive information as your full name and address, the prescribing physician, the type of medication, prescription number, and the pharmacy's contact information-all of the things a thief needs to perform prescription fraud. Instead of throwing empty prescription bottles in the trash, including the drug information forms, remove the labels and shred them. Other ways to prevent prescription fraud:
• Review every explanation of benefits (EOB). Examine the charges for medical visits or prescriptions you didn't receive, and report any suspicious activity immediately.
• Never simply toss medical information in the trash. Dumpster divers can easily access your personal information if you fail to shred the documents.
• Secure medical records. Keep your medical records in a safe place inside your home or in a safe deposit box, away from the prying eyes of visitors. Believe it or not, friends and relatives who have easy access to your personal information are often the culprits.
• Safeguard prescription bottles. Hide or lock-up your medication rather than leaving it in plain sight or in a medicine cabinet. This will prevent anyone from walking off with your prescription medication and, later, your identity.
• Manage written prescription slips. Don't throw them away or leave them out where they can be stolen. These slips are all an identity thief needs to fill a prescription in your name, leave you without your medication, steal your medical identity, and even put your life in danger.
• Enlist the help of an identity theft protection service such as ID Theft Solutions, which can proactively help prevent medical identity theft and even restore your identity when it's stolen.
Protecting your identity is an ongoing process that takes vigilance. By taking some common sense precautions, you can avoid the exorbitant costs and health risks of medical identity theft.

Get more tips for preventing prescription fraud and other types of medical identity theft by visiting The Identity Advocate at http://www.TheIdentityAdvocate.com or calling 310.831.4400.
Linda Vincent, R.N., P.I., is an identity theft, medical identity theft, and healthcare fraud prevention expert specializing in medical consulting and investigations. She is the president of The Identity Advocate, which teaches corporations, professional practices, and consumers how to stop identity theft, medical identity theft, and healthcare fraud.

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Medical Billing Software Plans

By Marion J Slayden

Medical billing software is useful to organize submissions to insurance companies in order to receive fees for medical services provided. It is not required by law, but medical billers are encouraged to become certified by taking a particular exam in order to be better prepared in the process of billing insurance companies. The process of medical billing can take several days to several weeks. The health care provider is contracted with insurance companies to dispense health care and keep medical records up to date for the insurance company.
The patient records include not only a medical treatment summary and plans, but demographic information, home address, phone numbers, policy numbers, social security number and diagnosis. The records define the cause, treatment, diagnosis and prognosis for future treatment of the patient. All the information in the patient records is highly confidential, but necessary for the insurance company to decide if the medical services supplied is appropriate for the patient and the dollar amount billed.
The actual claim to the insurance company is coded by the medical biller, then the claim is transmitted electronically to the insurance company. Automated Recognition Software, also known as OCR software is one of the types of medical billing software used to process the paperwork for a claim. If the medical claim is for an extremely high payment, the insurance company has claims adjusters and medical directors to examine the information and assess the patient diagnosis, treatment options and medical necessity. If the claim is approved, the medical professional will be paid a partial sum of the amount billed. This is always predetermined between the medical office and the insurance company. If the claim is denied, it may be resubmitted with additional information or corrections to again attempt reimbursement from the insurance company. Denied claims may usually be corrected and resubmitted for consideration, then paid. However, a rejected claim will not be processed because of false or incorrect information. These claims must be researched, the errors corrected and the claim submitted again.
The codes that correspond with the medical information can be complicated, using the precise codes corresponding to the diagnosis and information about the claim must be exact in order for the medical provider to be paid. Medical billing software can be used to begin the process of making a claim by verifying the eligibility of the patient for the plan of services. This saves time and confirms the patient is covered by insurance. The insurance company will then acknowledge this information and begin processing the claim.
Several top medical billing software companies have been reviewed by professionals and graded for ease of use, quality and accuracy. One of those companies is MediTouch, furnishing electronic health records ( also known as EHR) offering a touchscreen and web based interface. The system can be configured for personal style and preferences. There is a monthly fee which includes customer support, instruction and prep. Advanced MDEHR Software is another highly praised company for their functional, easily understood medical billing software. The online system is always up to date. Medical providers may realize faster coding and speedier claim support. The monthly fee includes customer support.
eClinicalWorks system has a wide range of integrated templates to correspond with the efficient, usable facets that can recall patient information with one click of a mouse. It is effective for a small practice or can address the needs of a huge practice with mobile support, faxes and more. The system is offered at several pricing options for a specialized medical billing service.
Although medical billing software regulations and design can be complicated and time consuming, each are becoming easier to use as more technological advances are made.

Medical billing companies use billing softwares extensively.To find out more about medical billing softwares and their role in medical billing visit Marion's blog at http://medicalbillingncoding.net

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Why Acquire the Latest Cutting-Edge Medical Technology?

By Romeo Cliff Richards

Information technology is increasingly recognized as an important tool for improving patient safety and quality of care, especially by promoting the practice of evidence-based medicine. Of all the health information technology currently in use, the electronic medical record (EMR) has the widest range of capabilities and thus the greatest potential for improving quality of patient care.
Why are Electronic Medical Records important?
In the era of cutting edge technology, preservation of documents in paper format is gradually being replaced by their preservation in electronic format. Electronic medical record systems are one such aspect of advanced technology, which help you preserve your medical documents in e-format.
Electronic medical records are central to computerization of health information systems. They assist healthcare professionals and administrators to be highly efficient and professional. This paperless technology is crucial to achieving peak performance in other areas of medical operations such as decision support systems. They are important to help deliver high quality, efficient and cost-effective healthcare solutions to all sections of society.
What is an Electronic Medical Record?
Electronic medical records, or EMRs, consist of patient medical information stored as electronic files on computer. The acceptance of EMRs continues to grow due to the increased importance and benefits of electronic records within the medical community.
The following are the Benefits of Electronic Medical Records (EMRs):
1. Reduce Documentation Errors.
Typed EMR documentation greatly reduces patient care errors because it eliminates the second-guessing associated with illegible documentation of patient care orders or prescriptions.
2. Provide Instant Access to Patient Information.
EMRs provide instant access to patient information. With paper-based records, doctors have to wait for medical reports to be transcribed and typed and sometimes to be sent elsewhere. However, EMR information is instantly accessible for patient care.
3. Allow Sharing of Information.
EMRs allow various doctors treating the same patient to share records across many networks, even if they are not in the same location.
4. Offer Integration.
EMRs allow integration of different clinical systems into one record. For example, a doctor can review another doctors' orders, switch to the pharmaceutical system and review the patient's current medication and then review X-rays on another system - all from one access point.
5. Provide Audit Trails.
Once paper-based medical records leave the medical records department, no tracking mechanisms are in place to ensure that the patient's information is kept confidential. EMRs provide increased confidentiality with audit trails -keeping track of each individual who has reviewed a patient's information, including the date and time it was viewed.
How to Implement an Electronic Medical Record?
EMRs allow quick and easy access, storage and retrieval of patient information from a variety of integrated health care resources. However, implementation of EMRs are timely and costly, therefore a comprehensive plan must be in place before beginning the process.
1. Evaluate organisational requirements.
The input of other individuals is a key to the success of EMR implementation.
Complete an evaluation of organisational requirements and strategies to ensure appropriate resources are in place to support the implementation of EMR.
2. Ensure staff corporation.
Lack of staff corporation may result in decreased productivity, lower morale and even major financial impact. Allow staff using the software to voice their opinions about existing systems and provide input into the acquisition of any new systems.
3. Set-up a review panel.
Select a review panel representing all intended users of the system. The panel acts as a liaison between users and top management and also participate in selecting the final EMR product.
4. Identify system integration.
Determine the required level of integration with existing systems.
5. Budgetary consideration.
Cost is the main reason why health care organisations and doctors are reluctant to implement EMRs. When the decision is made to embark on the procurement of EMRs, consideration must be given to cost implications based upon budgetary constraints and the potential return on investment.
6. Test system.
Ensure the system is appropriate for your organization: is it congruent with the size, cost and needs of your organization?
7. Focus the selection process.
The process of deciding which system to acquire must be narrowed to three preferred choices by the selection panel to prevent information overload.
8. Request external support
The use of external support such as health care consultants might make the process easier as they will be in the perfect position to ask the right questions before making a decision on a particular supplier. Consultants can also provide impartial advice on systems and suppliers.

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Romeo Richards is the CEO of The Business Education Center: http://theprofitexperts.co.uk the consultancy division of Richards International Group. The Business Education Center provides the most in-depth and comprehensive business coaching and training to professionals such as doctors, lawyers, accountants, business consultants, private security firms and retail executives.
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Medical Coding Errors: One Person's Nightmare!

By Anna Singleton

Finding the right individual healthcare insurance can be a nightmare. Navigating your way through the maze of companies, options, protection limits, deductibles and all the fine print can be intimidating and overwhelming. It's a difficult task for most people, made all the harder when medical coding errors are part of your record.
Consider the shocking case of a Gulfport, Mississippi resident as reported by Consumer Reports. Sheila applied for individual health insurance from three different insurers and was denied by all of them. Surprised by this, she investigated the situation and came up against the MIB.
Formerly known as the Medical Information Bureau, the MIB is an insurance industry clearing house, functioning within the industry in much the same way as credit reporting agencies function in the financial industry. Virtually every aspect of an individual's medical history is stored in its database.
Applications for individual health insurance are run through MIB's database, verifying the information submitted by the applicant. The stated purpose of the MIB is to protect insurance companies from applicants who knowingly or unknowingly omit information pertaining to their insurability. They claim to have saved their member companies over a billion dollars. Insurance companies use the information in the same way they use information from motor vehicle administrations, adjusting premiums or denying coverage.
But what did Sheila do wrong? Well, nothing as it turns out. She just found herself on the wrong side of a bureaucratic nightmare. Sheila learned through her investigation that her record with the MIB indicated that she had a history of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, known as COPD. While Sheila does have asthma, COPD is indicative of more severe lung diseases, such as emphysema. The insurance companies were not going to insure her with that type of medical history.
Knowing that the information in MIB's database was wrong, Sheila continued to investigate, ultimately discovering that the error originated in her doctor's office. A simple medical coding error spelled disaster for her. Endless letters and phone calls to her doctor's office and the MIB have been fruitless. One little alpha-numeric code has blocked her from getting individual health insurance.
Medical coding errors wreak havoc for healthcare providers, insurance companies and governmental agencies as well. The consequences can be simple and easily rectified, or they can be very serious.
If the medical coder uses a code which does not accurately reflect medical necessity, or the diagnosis and procedure are not congruent, then the application for reimbursement will be denied. The coder must then spend additional time and effort investigating the reasons for denial and rectifying them. This duplication of effort drains revenue from the healthcare provider and directly impacts its financial health.
If the coder makes a mistake on the billing number, the insurance company or a governmental agency (Medicare or Medicaid, for example) can reimburse the wrong provider and report inaccurate information to the IRS. Untangling this confusion can be time consuming and frustrating. It also can be costly in terms of lost revenue or wasted pay for unnecessary effort, or both.
Errors in coding procedures and treatment can lead to underpayment of claims, resulting in a direct hit to the finances of the practice. On the other side, repeated coding errors that result in inflated claims can lead to some nasty repercussions with regulatory agencies.
Medical coding errors can be expensive for the consumer as well. ABC News and others have reported that the error rate on medical bills may be as high as 80%. A survey conducted by Consumer Reports, however, found that only 5% of respondents had found an error on their bill. The overwhelming majority of estimated errors, then, are simply paid by both insurance companies and consumers. Many of these errors are the result of assigning incorrect medical codes to the patient's bill.
Errors in medical coding can have significant and widespread impact on consumers, healthcare providers and insurance companies. The effects can range from disastrous personal hardships to frustrating and inefficient duplication of effort. With the increasing complexity of medical care and its delivery, and with the growing demand for better care from patients who are more well-informed than ever, the strain on the industry will continue to grow. Factor in the increasing need for care from the aging baby boom generation, and the implication is clear. Well educated and well trained medical coders who are efficient, careful and attentive to detail will be in greater demand. Proper planning and skillful preparation will open the door to many lucrative opportunities for medical coders who can help reduce errors and increase efficiency.

Anna Singleton is a home-based medical coder who writes about the requirements and medical coding pay [http://www.medicalcodingsalary.info] one can expect at the Medical Coding Salary and Career Center, which is found at [http://www.medicalcodingsalary.info]

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Easy And Sure Ways To Get Medical Advice

By Bill Browski

With the information age we are in now, there are many new ways to receive medical advice. By taking advantage of the medical information available, a doctor is able to provide a better level of care for patients. Also, a patient can be more proactive about their own medical care.
Through the use of a medical data base, doctors and other medical specialists are able to exchange medical information on patients in minutes, rather than the weeks it took to send records through the mail. By moving information this way, medical specialist can see a patient history and notes from other doctors on the day of the first visit to provide more effective care.
Along with the exchange of patient records, medical professionals and researchers can exchange ideas about new procedures and medicines. In exchanging ideas and information quickly, new medicine can reach doctors and patients in less time. Researchers also benefit from faster idea exchange because it takes less time to find out about side effects and reactions from patients.
Another part of the medical industry benefiting from the medical database is pharmacies. When a pharmacy can look up a patient record, fewer mistakes are made when filling prescriptions. Also a doctor can reference the same database to see what past doctors have prescribed to prevent negative drug interactions.
Patients can also take advantage of this new wave of knowledge. Through the use of a medical data base, patients can verify the accuracy of their own medical records and provide doctors with needed medical histories. Also, patients can use the available medical advice to look into different health care options and make informed decisions along with their doctors.
With a doctor database, patients can research different doctors and medical specialists to find one which best suits their needs. If a patient is unhappy with the care given by a doctor, they can look through the doctor data base and see what other patients have reported. Another benefit of this type of database is the ease of finding doctors in new areas when a person relocates. A patient can contact doctors in the new location to set up care before they move, allowing them to continue treatments without much interruption.
Medical databases also can make an impact on emergency care. By having quick access to patient medical records, emergency doctors can make informed treatment choices even if the patient is unable to provide the needed information. By using the database in this way, doctors can avoid possibly lethal drug interactions and also can beware of underlining health issues which might affect their course of treatments.
In a world with a central database of medical advice, patients and doctors can educated themselves with information on medical issues such as diseases and procedures. They can also make more informed decisions about treatments and medications. Whether patients chose to use conventional medicine or holistic treatments under the advisement of a doctor, patients can look into all options available to them in one place.

Bill Browski is a medical consultant of individual people. You can get more information after asking medical questions. For even more knowledge read other medical articles.

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What The Health Information Technology For Economic And Clinical Health Act Means For Healthcare

By Juanita Swindell

In February of 2009, President Obama signed into law a landmark healthcare reform bill, and included within it is the Health Information Technology For Economic and Clinical Health Act. This portion of the healthcare reform bill will require that all healthcare providers switch over to electronic medical records, or EMR, by 2016. Like most of the controversial reform, it has drawn considerable criticism from politicians, insurance companies, and medical professionals over the intervening years.
What it Requires
The Health Information Technology For Economic and Clinical Health Act, despite all of its legalese, is quite simple to understand. At its heart, the sponsors of the healthcare reform simply wish for all healthcare providers to convert their current paper medical records files into digital electronic medical records so that they can be quickly shared with professionals that regularly require to see a patient's files. Having every patient's medical records in a shared electronic format would provide the basis for quicker diagnoses based on their medical history, quicker treatment, and reduce the chances of error that can occur when trying to decipher a faxed copy of a paper record.
It would also allow insurance companies easier access to their client's medical records, with limitations. If done properly, all confidential information would stay confidential, and only released to those with the proper access. But, like all new ideas, change encourages fear and feuding political parties have fed that fear, to the point that many hospitals and doctors in private practices have been dragging their heels about converting their records over to the new digital format.
Reasons Against Converting
The primary fear shared by medical professionals and their patients is that their private medical information will no longer stay private under the digital format. In the days of hackers freely running rampant throughout corporation computers and selling private information this may have been true, but in the 21st century, security screens have successfully kept hacking to a minimum, nationally. The last few reported cases of company-wide identity theft occurred because thieves physically stole hard drives, not because they hacked in and stole individual files. The Right to Privacy Act, instituted years ago, does protect individuals from having their medical records published, and any violations involving digital records would be covered under that Act. The patients have a right to question the security of their files, and if their caregivers have taken the correct measures to secure their files, they will be secure. They are only meant to be transmitted to recognized physicians, and even the access of insurance companies will be limited.
The second biggest reason physicians and hospitals give against converting medical records over to an electronic format is the manpower and time needed to do so. Regardless of monetary incentives provided under the Act for both Medicare and Medicaid participating organizations and doctors, the claim is that it would be too expensive to bring their computers up-to-date to handle the digital conversion, and to pay someone to covert all of their files to the new format.
The Benefits of Conversion
With the traditional paper system, individual patient records can be very time consuming to compile and update, and just as hard to track down when needed. With electronic medical records, all that information will take only seconds to locate, and could mean the difference between life and death if the patient is receiving care somewhere other than their home hospital, or even within it. Copying and faxing paper copies could lead to a misinterpretation of what is written within them, especially if the printed quality is below standard.
With electronic medical records, everything that the physician needs is right there on the screen, clear and easy to read. This format should cut down on the hazards of medical errors, like giving the wrong prescription, administering the wrong dosage, or inadvertently using a drug that the patient is allergic to. The patient's entire medical history is available, and should make treatment faster and more efficient. The Health Information Technology For Economic and Clinical Health Act aims to improve the quality of care, without compromising their privacy.

Curious as to how The Health Information Technology For Economic and Clinical Health Act could help your medical practice streamline patient records? Contact Sun South Leasing today for a full breakdown on converting to digital media. Also check out our new page on Digital Medical Records.

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How to Produce High Quality Medical Summaries

By Anand Sharan

Medical records summary service is of pertinent use to Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice law firms. A well prepared medical record summary service save times by organizing medical records in a concise chronological manner facilitating easy assimilation. It can also help in determining whether a patient is being provided proper treatment for his/her ailment. In the legal field, it can help assess the merits and demerits of a case. The summary service would be useful if it helps scrutinize deviations or negligence from the standards of care, questionable happenings, particular areas requiring attention and pre-existing states that could have a bearing on the case.
What goes into a medical summary?
A medical summary is a concise version of the information found in a patient's medical records. Arrangement and extensive research of the medical records such as progress notes, consultation notes, physician's notes, and operating room records is done to prepare the summary. Information that may be included in this form of a summary includes: the cause of injury or accident, entry into and discharge from the hospital, immediate and ensuing care given, what diagnostic testing revealed, present diagnoses/assessment, medical expenditure and negligence on the part of the provider, of any.
Types of medical summaries:
Medical summaries (or medical chronologies) can be:
1. Annotative
2. narrative or
3. analysis report
A subject matter expert reviewer with medical education can add value to a narrative medical summary by bringing in deeper understanding of medical terminologies and procedures pertaining to the case at hand.
Salient Features of a medical summary report:
Accurate data capture from handwritten text.
1. Chronological arranging of patient data and highlighting important medical information.
2. Helps to determine if there was negligence or deviation from the standards of care
3. Identify areas of concern and questionable occurrences
4. Spot any pre-existing conditions that may affect the case
What goes into the good medical summary report?
i. Emergency room visit and Hospital stay
ii. Patient's personal information
iii. Entry into and discharge from the hospital
iv. Immediate and ensuing care given
v. Medications provided and those in use
vi. Information concerning the injury or illness
vii. Opinions of medical professionals with regard to causation, appointment, and disability
viii.Diagnostic test results.
ix. Surgical reports.
x. Physical therapy, Occupational therapy,
speech-language therapy reports.
xi. Independent Medical Evaluation Reports
(IME).
xii. Medical citations where applicable
Recommended tips for a reviewer:
Here are some recommended practices for a reviewer to produce a high quality medical summary:
1. Review the entire set of medical records, where every page is important.
2. Identify the nature of the case (Personal Injury, Slip and Fall, Workers Compensation, Social Security, Medical Malpractice and/or Medical Negligence)
3. Give a brief description of the history of injury/accident. (abstract/textual summary)
4. Give the current status of the patient's health. (Whether under any treatment, physical therapy or medications, extent of disability, if any etc.)
5. Summary of the records taking into consideration the past medical history of the patient to assess whether the present injury/accident has aggravated the previous injuries or health conditions.
6. Details of specific test results, taken over a period of time.
7. Identify the ICD (International Classification of Disease) codes and the CPT (Clinical Patient Testing) Codes.
8. Outline of future treatment and/or related impairment.
9. Explain and define medical terminology and medical procedures.
10. Add commentary on the causal relationship of diagnoses and/ or treatment to the loss.
11. Summarize the report and opinion relative to research analysis.

Author is an expert technical writer for legal Process outsourcing websites who specializes in legal outsourcing article writing. Now Please visit author's links Legal Process Outsourcing and Medical Summaries

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Medical Necklace - Life Saving Jewelry

By Sharon Meier

A medical necklace speaks for you in case of an emergency where you are unable to talk. The information written on the alert tag warns of any health condition that you may have. This information could save your life. Medical necklaces are also called alert necklaces, medical pendants, medical tags, elderly alert or medical alert.
A medical ID is one of the first things the paramedics will check for. Not only do first responders see this information, emergency room workers will also look for a medical ID tag. Prevent misdiagnosis by wearing your health emergency information and keeping it up to date.
If you have one of the following conditions consider wearing a medical ID. Health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, drug allergies, Alzheimer's, asthma, breathing disorders, COPD, hearing or seeing impaired, hypertension, prescription medications, special needs children or cancer patients should wear a medical alert necklace.
List the medicines that you are taking that might have an interaction with other medicines. These medicines include analgesics, antianginals, antiarrhythmics, anticoagulants, anticonvulsants, antihistamines, decongestants, antihypertensives, beta blockers, chemotherapy agents and steroids. Ask your doctor if he feels you need to list your medication on a medical necklace.
With the event of technology you can carry your medical information on a USB device. This device easily slips into the USB port of your computer to provide access to your medical history. Many 911 responders across the country have the ability to read these USB devices. The information is easy to update as your medications or your medical condition changes. Simply plug the USB device into a computer and input your information.
The medical necklace helps identify people who may wander because of dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Anyone who has a tendency to wander and does not remember where they live should wear an elderly alert tag.
Things to engrave on a medical necklace include your prescription medications, diseases or chronic illnesses and life threatening allergies. Include the name and phone number for an emergency contact person. Also include your name.
Besides wearing an ID tag carry a medical wallet identification card with you at all times.
In the past medical ID's were just plain metal tags that were engraved. Now these tags come in stylish jewelry settings. So there is no need to go without a medical alert tag. You can design and build a tag that fits your lifestyle. Choose several styles of medical necklaces to wear for different occasions. Wear your ID necklace all the time. Remember that wearing a medical necklace could save your life.

A medical necklace could save your life. Learn what information to put on them and how to choose a medical necklace that fits your lifestyle.
More information at:
http://www.medicalnecklace.org
http://www.medicalnecklace.org/category/elderly-alert

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Medical ID Theft - The New Threat to Your Privacy, Health, and Finances

By G Harold

Identity theft, an on going threat to everyone's privacy and finances, has resulted in numerous calamities for hundreds of thousands of citizens. Many safeguards have been instituted to stop its spread but it continues. And now a new ID theft has surfaced which presents even more serious problems. Medical identity theft, the new id theft problem is growing at an alarming rate. Daily 1000's of accounts of privacy, health and finances improprieties, as a result of medical identity theft, are reported.
Medical identity theft can create life-threatening problem, especially for senior citizens. For this reason, local and federal law makers are considering drafting legislation which will make the criminal punishment for medical id theft far more harsh than current id theft laws. New proposed laws will go beyond just slapping hands and firing employees. New laws are to include significant fines and sentencing the guilty party to substantial jail time. It is important to announce medical id theft will not be tolerated with a stricter message to deter this type of crime.
Like standard id theft, medical identity thieves steal the victims name, insurance information, and Social Security Number and use it without its real owner's knowledge. Medical ID identity thieves have the potential to endanger not only the victims finances, but their health as well as they utilize the stolen information to get medical services, obtain fraudulent prescriptions, or, more commonly, to apply for credit.
Over the past ten years the economy for personal information has really matured. The institutions which had the most to lose from the negative reports about wide spread id theft, like banks and online merchants started doing a much better job of protecting data.
Today's identity thieves go where the cap on resistance is the least and where the financial opportunities are the greatest. Consumers' medical insurance information is their new venue and electronic medical records are the in road they use to take advantage of this new opportunity. Individual medical information is quickly becoming as valuable as their financial information counter part," according to Scott Mitic, chief executive officer for TrustedID, an identity theft protection company.
According to market research firm Javelin Strategy & Research new report, data theft related to exposure of medical records rose in one year more than 100%, from 3% in 2008 to 7%, or 275,000 cases, last year.
Once in the hands of these crooks, there is no shortage of ways the hijacked medical information can be put to use. In a number of cases, employees with access to this personal information steals patient credit card information and go on shopping spree. Other cases, involve obtaining and falsifying prescriptions for abuse and resell and more seriously, use of a stolen identity to submit bogus claims to insurers and falsify medical records to support those claims.
"In situations where the intention is to defraud the insurance companies, the medical id thieves are usually more sophisticated individuals who are part of a networked effort. But the origin of the information theft usually remains low-tech and originates from person-to-person communication," Mitic added.
Seniors, who generally use health care services more frequently, and may not be as aware of identity theft risks, have been the most likely victims of medical identity fraud. Their lack of knowledge of this fraud also make them more susceptible to the deceptive persuasion used to obtain their personal information.
A recent Medicare phone scam conducted in several states targeted elderly consumers by pressuring them to divulge personal details on the pretext they were being issued new Medicare cards. An official sounding organization calls on the phone saying they are updating the victims Medicare data information prior to issuing the new card.
One Medicare scheme, reported in the New York Daily News, involved a 72-year-old woman from Grahamsville, NY. She learned she had become the victim of medical ID theft when she began receiving strange insurance bills. The paperwork showed Medicare had been billed, in her name, for a pregnancy test, a prostate exam, semen analysis, and other medical services she had not had performed. Bureaucratic hurdles prevented her from stopping the fraud, despite that she repeatedly called Medicare to alert the agency. At the end of her three-year ordeal with Medicare, the total fraud in her name amounted to close to $50,000.
Consumers most be vigilant to prevent medical ID theft, both proactively and re actively. All information, including medical insurance information, Social Security information, dates of birth and PIN numbers should be treated equally valuable and never shared unless you are thoroughly familiar with the source you are giving it to. It is important that you check your medical benefits statements as diligently as you do your credit card statements. Also be aware you have the right to request an annual disclosure record from their insurer and do so. Medical id theft is growing. In the wrong hands, this information has the potential to endanger not only your finances, but your health.

Gharold, author of The Unclaimed Money Finders [http://unclaimedmoney.infogine.com/] Guide has published numerous other opinions you may or may not find interesting at The World According to GHarold.

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Medical Preparation - The Forgotten Part of Relocation

By J David Clyde

Moving is a challenging experience for everyone, but moving to a new country adds extra challenges. Each country has its own culture, language or dialect, and methods of dealing with events of daily living. These are some of the things which make relocation a unique experience.
Situation!
You have used moved to a developing country and have a child with attention deficit - hyperactive disorder (ADHD) and realize that you are running low on Ritalin. You go to the local pharmacy to obtain additional medicine and are told it is not available in country. Now what do you do? You contact resources back home and find out that this medicine is a tightly controlled drug that cannot just be shipped through regular channels. What seemed like a simple problem is quickly becoming an emergency or a crisis.
Employee Priorities?
When offered an international assignment most employees consider salary as their first priority, then the location of the new assignment, followed by details of the relocation package (housing, household goods, home-sale assistance, etc.). Most employees do not ask and many companies do not provide information about medical care at the new assignment. If there are medical issues in a family, they need to be discussed before a move is made.
Employee Preparation?
Most companies provide salary and relocation package information for employees leaving the U.S. (ex-pats). Some companies provide cross-cultural training for the relocating worker. Very few companies routinely provide information about health risks and medical care in the new work location for these employees. With little or no preparation the relocating family must flounder along trying to adapt in the new medical system. They may be fortunate enough not to need much medical care; however, when a significant problem arises in areas with poor medical care, it will be very stressful for the family and in some cases result in bad medical outcomes. The poor preparation can lead to a failed assignment if the family stress levels rise too high or too frequently. Failed assignments are costly to the employer in lost productivity and actual dollars from the "bottom line," and the failed assignment hinders if not destroys a career for the worker.
Several companies provide some type of information for ex-pats moving to lesser developed countries, but do not provide any specific medical information or assistance for the ex-pat moving to the more developed countries in Europe, Asia, or Australia. There is an assumption that good medical care exists in the country, but there is no preparation about how to best utilize the system. Medicine is not practiced the same around the world. The time to learn about a medical system is not when a person is ill or is dealing with a sick family member. Good planning always improves the odds of good outcomes.
Impatient Americans!
Moving from the U.S. medical care system into a socialized medical care system can be very difficult. In the U.S. system Americans frequently choose a specialist to care for the immediate medical problem. They can call and schedule an appointment with the specialist at any time. However, in a socialized system all specialist appointments are by physician referral only. The primary doctor, usually a general practitioner must write a letter of referral and the specialist must accept the referral prior to an appointment for the patient. For an impatient American this can seem to be an "unnecessary" delay in medical care. Hospitalizations and procedures are prioritized and non-emergent problems must 'wait in queue" for the medical procedure.
Type of Information Needed?
Families with chronic medical conditions, special medication needs, or special needs children should be certain that medical care for their condition is available at the new location before departing for the assignment. Families, even those with good health, need to be fully apprised of the health risks in the new area so they can make informed decisions and preparation for the assignment. People relocating to developing countries need to:
1) understand the health risks associated with the new country,
2) understand how these health risks might affect their medical condition, and
3) understand the limitations of the medical facilities in the new location. In addition the company should have a contingency plan to move severely injured or critically ill personnel or family to a quality regional medical facility.
Emergency Preparation
One part of the medical information that a family needs is how to get medical assistance in an emergency. Most Americans would call 911. However, the emergency contact number varies by country around the world. It may be 119, 190, 192, 999, 112, 000, etc. Good information and planning can help avoid a panic situation during a crisis and expedite medical assistance.
Just as due diligence reduces risks in business deals and good planning improves the chance of success for projects, so too good preparation of employees for international relocation improves the chances for a productive and successful assignment.

J. David Clyde is President & CEO of Spinnaker Medical Consultants International, LLC, Atlanta, GA.
Tel: 404-320-6009
E:mail: jdclyde@SpinnakerMedical.com
Spinnaker Medical Consultants International provides services in the following areas: 1) Relocation Medical Assistance for families during international assignments, 2) Training programs for business travelers and expatriate workers involved in international business, 3) Medical Director and Occupational Medicine consultation and advisory services, and 4) Resource assessments and medical crisis plans for international locations.
Our company mission is to provide relevant medical advice, training, and support to companies which will enhance the productivity and health of their employees in diverse work environments and locations.
Web: http://www.spinnakermedical.com

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