Manual of Ethical Best Practices for the Healthcare Documentation Sector—Now Available!

A program your company cannot afford to be without.

AHDI and MTIA are excited to announce that the first set of documents for its compliance and best practices program is available for purchase. Included in the documents will be sample HIPAA policies and procedures and a sample business associate agreement, pursuant to the new HIPAA regulations effective February 2010, which will be customizable for your business. This program carries a value that could easily cost a company tens of thousands of dollars. Review full product information and pricing. Manuals will start shipping on January 7, 2010.

Webinar: Bladeless LASIK, US FDA Clinical Trial to Reverse Aging, Forever Young Lens Cataract Surgery and Sight Restoration for the Blind w/ Dr. Wang

In this presentation, Dr. Wang will talk about:

(1) Latest in bladeless LASIK, for nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism;
(2) The new FDA clinical trial to treat age-related loss of near vision (presbyopia). Wang Vision Institute is only one of three centers selected by US FDA to conduct a research and clinical trial, for a new breakthrough technology to treat presbyopia.
(3) The new Forever Young Lens cataract surgery, to enable patients to have a full range of vision for both distance and near.
(4) Novel sight restoration surgeries to restore sight in the blind.

Click here for more details and to register for this webinar.

Register Now for the 2010 AHDI/MTIA Advocacy Summit

With the Advocacy Summit three months away, it is vital that members register for this important event. The Dewey Square Group, the lobbying firm we have been working with since June, will be scheduling appointments on behalf of Summit attendees. To be as strategic as possible with our meetings on Capitol Hill, we need to know as soon as possible whether people plan to come to Advocacy Summit. Given the push for greater EHR adoption, heightened government regulation and enforcement, and major healthcare reform, now is a critical time for professionals and businesses in the healthcare documentation sector to articulate their value proposition to federal legislators. We must not let this historic opportunity and moment pass us by. So make your plans today to attend the 2010 Advocacy Summit by registering at the AHDI website or MTIA website.

Bladeless LASIK, US FDA Clinical Trial to Reverse Aging, Forever Young Lens Cataract Surgery and Sight Restoration for the Blind Presented by Dr. Wang

In this presentation, Dr. Wang will talk about:

(1) Latest in bladeless LASIK, for nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism;
(2) The new FDA clinical trial to treat age-related loss of near vision (presbyopia). Wang Vision Institute is only one of three centers selected by US FDA to conduct a research and clinical trial, for a new breakthrough technology to treat presbyopia.
(3) The new Forever Young Lens cataract surgery, to enable patients to have a full range of vision for both distance and near.
(4) Novel sight restoration surgeries to restore sight in the blind.

Click here for more details and to register for this webinar.

Expanding Your AHDI Network Online

Stay connected to AHDI and your fellow members through social networking! With more than 1,600 Facebook "fans," the AHDI page is a great place to network with both students and practicing MTs. You can also follow us on Twitter for quick updates on the latest news from AHDI or join our group on LinkedIn for business-oriented discussions and networking. The chance to build professional relationships and discover career opportunities are endless–we hope to "see" you there!

Become a Fan on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Connect with us on LinkedIn

Webinar - Forensic Dentistry at Ground Zero: Registration ends 12/31/09!

AHDI presents the first medical presenter of the New Year on January 7th at 10:00 a.m. PST / 1:00 p.m. EST. Dr. Tabor will present on Forensic Dentistry at Ground Zero: Stories from the World Trade Center. Dr. Tabor will share personal stories of life at Ground Zero. The rescue efforts and details of the “crime scene” will fascinate you as we relive what it was really like during that horrible time. A very sensitive (but not offensive) video journal that Dr. Tabor captured will be shared during his presentation along with an opportunity to ask questions about this life-changing experience. This presentation is approved for 1 Clincial Medicine Credit. Fee: $20 member / $30 nonmember. Registration closes 12/31/09 so hurry! Click to here register.

Industry Executives Speak out on "Meaningful Use"

On Monday, December 14, MTIA mailed a letter to National Coordinator for Health IT Dr. David Blumenthal on the need for regulators to recognize how the medical transcription sector can help make the federal government’s multi-billion dollar investment in EHRs a fruitful one for physicians, their healthcare teams, and patients. Forty-five industry executives signed the letter speaking to how consistent coding and formatting for all documents entered into the EHR can improve the quality, volume, and flow of information for clinical decision-making and how medical transcriptionists are needed to ensure the accuracy, completeness, and consistency of patient records, regardless of the technology used to capture health information. In addition, the letter called for "meaningful use" regulations to include the ability of EHRs to accept interfaced data from the dictation-transcription process, since it remains the most common method used by physicians to enter care encounter data into the patient record. To read the complete letter, click here.

Attention AHDI Professional Members: Important News on Your Membership Renewals

AHDI offers Professional members an opportunity to "Go Green" by renewing early and receiving $10 off your membership dues; saving the resources it takes to mail paper renewal statements. We are pleased to announce that we are taking this effort one step further by switching to an e-postcard that will be emailed to Professional members approximately three months prior to your membership expiration date. Your e-postcard will contain a coupon code that may be used for renewing your membership online or by mail, fax, or phone. The change will take effect in January 2010 for Professional members with an expiration of March 31, 2010.

Manual of Ethical Best Practices for the Healthcare Documentation Sector

A program your company cannot afford to be without

AHDI and MTIA are excited to announce that the first set of documents for its compliance and best practices program will be ready for release at the beginning of 2010. Included in the documents will be sample HIPAA policies and procedures and a sample business associate agreement, pursuant to the new HIPAA regulations effective February 2010, which will be customizable for your business. The complete manual will cover:

• Best Practices Checklist
• Statement of Ethical Best Practices
• AHDI Code of Ethics
• MTIA Code of Ethics
• Best Practices in Operations
• Best Practices in Billing
• Best Practices in Compensation
• Best Practices in Marketing and Solicitation
• Employee vs. Independent Contractor Guidelines
• Exempt vs. Non-Exempt Guidelines
• Production Location Transparency Guidelines
• Sample Non-Solicitation & Non-Compete Agreement
• Best Practices in Legal and Regulatory Compliance
• Sample HIPAA Policies and Procedures
• Sample Business Associate Agreement
• Guidelines for Establishing a HIPAA Compliant Home-based Office
• U.S. 50 State Data Privacy Survey

Program documents will help AHDI and MTIA member companies ensure they are compliant with the new HIPAA regulations and operating in a manner consistent with ethical best practices. In addition, the program will help demonstrate to the healthcare industry and government officials that AHDI, MTIA, and our members are committed to safeguarding the privacy, security, and integrity of patient health information. This program carries a value that could easily cost a company tens of thousands of dollars. Please stay tuned for additional information concerning the availability of the documents.

New Medicolegal CEC Bundle!

AHDI CEC Bundles are a power-pack of creditworthy information and accompanying quizzes to assist credentialed MTs in earning those important CECs, especially when your credentialing cycle is drawing to a close and you need those last-minute, hard-to-earn credits. Each bundle consists of a zipped file containing the following documents in .pdf format: 2 articles, 2 quizzes, and 1 crossword puzzle. Each bundle is approved for 3 CECs in the designated category.

This medicolegal bundle contains 2 credit-worthy articles, 2 quizzes, and 1 crossword puzzle on the following medicolegal issues: HIPAA and the New ARRA Regulations and The Health Story Project.

To earn your CECs: Download and unzip the product file. Read and review the included articles. Complete the quizzes and crossword puzzle (electronically or by hand); then print and save the 2 quizzes and 1 puzzle. In the event that you are audited at your next cycle, you will need to submit these as proof of credit when you mail in your recredentialing materials.

Order your Medicolegal CEC Bundle today!

AHDI/MTIA Advocacy Summit 2010 - REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

You may now register for Advocacy Summit 2010 and finalize your arrangements to come to Washington, DC, to advocate on behalf of your profession at a critical time for the medical transcription sector. 2010 promises to be a truly exciting year for AHDI/MTIA as we continue to work with the Dewey Square Group (DSG), a professional lobbying firm based in Washington DC, to position the healthcare documentation sector favorably and prominantly amongst the legislators who are making the decisions that will determine our future. To register for this event, reserve your hotel room (critical—rooms are limited), or find out more about what this event entails, please visit the Advocacy Summit web page.

"Power of 10" Technology Webinar #4 - REGISTRATION ENDS TODAY!!

Speech Recognition Editing: Keys to the Shift
Thursday, December 10, 2009
1:00 to 2:30 p.m. PST

Presenters: Betsy Senter; Jamie Collins, CMT, RHIT; and Jill Utterback from 3M Health

Information Systems, Inc.Many healthcare facilities and transcription organizations are adopting speech recognition technology to increase productivity, but the shift to this new technology must be done with care and consideration. This webinar focuses on back-end speech recognition, describing what it is and how the editing process for speech-recognized text differs from traditional transcription. The presenters will discuss speech recognition best practices for dictators, transcriptionists/editors, and administrators, including processes such as selecting document types, coaching dictators, using feedback from transcriptionists/editors, and monitoring productivity improvements. In addition, this webinar includes a demonstration of the speech recognition editing course developed by TRS Institute in partnership with 3M and AHDI.

Approved by AHDI for 1.5 CECs in Technology and the Workplace

Register for this webinar at AHDI-West.org.
Registration Deadline is Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Advocacy Summit 2010 Hotel Room Block: Now Accepting Reservations

AHDI/MTIA will host the 5th Annual Advocacy Summit on March 23rd – 25th at the Marriott Crystal City in Arlington, VA. This property hosted the first annual Advocacy Summit in 2005, and those who attended that event will remember the level of comfort and convenience that the Marriott Crystal City provides for individuals commuting to and from Capitol Hill. With a metro station directly below this beautiful hotel, and stylish restaurants, shops and entertainment directly surrounding it, it is difficult to find a better location to host an event such as the Advocacy Summit. The AHDI/MTIA room block is now open and all Advocacy Summit attendees will enjoy a discounted group rate of $175 per night for both single and double occupancy rooms. However, rooms are limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to book your reservation immediately here.

Would you like to share your hotel room with another member and split your hotel cost? Contact AHDI/MTIA staff member Miranda (Myoukhaneh@ahdionline.org) who is coordinating the room-sharing program.

AHDI/MTIA Staff are hard at work finalizing the 2010 Advocacy Summit agenda, but for more information on the overall outline of activities and event registration, please visit the 2010 Advocacy Summit page.