It's hard not to be keenly aware that health care costs have skyrocketed - a week's stay in the hospital for a few tests and treatment WITHOUT ANY PROCEDURES can cost $15,000 or more![1] So, it's not surprising that an increasing number of people who need or want real treatment are looking elsewhere for a solution.
Where do they go? To places like India, Thailand, Panama, and Argentina. These countries have strongly emerging economies, and have correspondingly made significant investment in their medical capabilities. That translates to quality care - second to none - at reasonable cost. And, they're places where the economies are still emerging, which has a significant impact on costs.
These services have fallen under the rubric, "Medical Tourism" - the notion of combining the service of medical treatments with an opportunity to expand one's travel horizons.
And why not? Laparascopic, prostate, hernia repair, gastric banding, dental implantation, and other treatments can cost far less in say, India, than in the US - a tenth to a fifth as much. And treatment is quick - once you've made arrangements, you don't have to wait in interminable lines. Finances are just as easy. In most cases, a comprehensive quote is given before you even purchase your airline tickets. Billing is also comprehensive and usually taken care of with a credit card at the end of treatment.
What about the doctors? Are they competent? Very. In fact, the doctors you will see were very likely trained in the US at some point in their careers, or they have worked in the US, or they are participating very actively in the international medical community. So, yes, the doctors are quite competent - and they're up on the latest medical technologies and treatment. In some cases, they are even leading their respective fields.
Finally, when all is said and done and your treatment is completed, you can visit the faraway places that most only dream of or read about - hospital facilities typically have connections with tour companies at discount rates to fill or at least pique your wanderlust. It's a great side-benefit!
So, is medical tourism right for you? If you're not insured and the cost of a medical procedure is looming over your head, or if your insurance won't cover a procedure you need or want because it's classified as an 'elective' procedure, you're a prime candidate for investigating treatment overseas.
As always, you should investigate your options and requirements as they apply to your situation. (One place to do this is by participating in a forum we have set up for just such a purpose - see the link in the resource box. The forum is free to all, you just need to join to participate.) Treatment overseas adds one more choice to your set of options - an option that can greatly reduce costs, and give you the opportunity to explore another part of the world, while you're at it!
Monday, December 3, 2007
Spotlight: The Top Ten Fastest Growing Allied Health Careers
According the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the health care field is the largest industry in the United States today—employing over 13 million wage and salary workers in 2004. Of the twenty fastest growing occupations today, eight of them are in health care. It is anticipated that 20% of the new jobs created between now and 2014 will be in the health care industry—and most of these jobs require four years or less of college.
Many of these jobs will be in the area of health care referred to as Allied Health. The term Allied Health is used to identify a cluster of health professions and covers as many as 100 different jobs (but not physicians and nurses). What are the Allied Health careers anticipating the most growth? While all Allied Health careers can anticipate growth in the coming years, these ten careers are all expected to grow over 25% each year—meaning that these careers will provide the greatest long-term job security. This top ten list includes educational requirements and average salaries.
1. Medical Assistants These Allied Health professionals perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly. The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice and the practitioner’s specialty. Medical assistants perform many administrative duties, including answering telephones, greeting patients, updating and filing patients’ medical records, filling out insurance forms, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, arranging for hospital admission and laboratory services, and handling billing and bookkeeping.
As the health care industry expands because of technological advances in medicine and the growth and aging of the population, more Medical Assistants will be needed. In fact, this is anticipated to be the fastest growing career through 2014.
Education Requirements: Most Medical Assistants complete postsecondary programs that last either one year, resulting in a certificate or diploma, or two years, resulting in an associate degree.
Salary: The average salary for Medical Assistants is $24,610.
2. Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians These Allied Health professionals assist physicians in diagnosing and treating cardiac (heart) and peripheral vascular (blood vessel) ailments. Cardiovascular technologists may specialize in any of three areas of practice: invasive cardiology, echocardiography, and vascular technology. Cardiovascular technologists specializing in invasive procedures are called cardiology technologists. Technologists prepare patients for cardiac catheterization and balloon angioplasty. During the procedures, they monitor patients’ blood pressure and heart rate with EKG equipment and notify the physician if something appears to be wrong. Technologists also may prepare and monitor patients during open-heart surgery and during the insertion of pacemakers and stents that open up blockages in arteries to the heart and major blood vessels.
Rapid employment growth is expected for Cardiovascular Technologists as the population ages, because older people have a higher incidence of heart problems and use more diagnostic imaging. Employment of vascular technologists and echocardiographers will also grow as advances in vascular technology and sonography reduce the need for more costly and invasive procedures.
Education Requirements: The majority of Cardiovascular Technologists complete a 2-year junior or community college program, but 4-year programs are increasingly available.
Salary: The average salary for Cardiovascular Technologists is $38,690 .
3. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Also known as ultrasonographers, these Allied Health professionals use special equipment to direct nonionizing, high frequency sound waves into areas of the patient’s body. Sonographers operate the equipment, which collects reflected echoes and forms an image that may be videotaped, transmitted, or photographed for interpretation and diagnosis by a physician.
As the population grows and ages, increasing the demand for diagnostic imaging and therapeutic technology means incredible growth in this field. Additionally, sonography is becoming an increasingly attractive alternative to radiologic procedures, as patients seek safer treatment methods, further increase the demand for sonographers.
Education Requirements: Colleges and universities offer formal training for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in both 2- and 4-year programs, culminating in an associate or a bachelor’s degree. Two-year programs are most prevalent.
Salary: The average salary for diagnostic medical sonographers is $52,490.
4. Physician Assistants These Allied Health Professionals practice medicine under the supervision of physicians and surgeons. Physicians Assistants are formally trained to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive health care services, as delegated by a physician. Working as members of the health care team, they take medical histories, examine and treat patients, order and interpret laboratory tests and X rays, and make diagnoses. Physicians Assistants may be the principal care providers in rural or inner city clinics, where a physician is present for only 1 or 2 days each week
Employment of Physicians Assistants is expected to grow much faster than average, ranking among the fastest growing occupations, due to anticipated expansion of the health care industry and an emphasis on cost containment, resulting in increasing utilization of Physicians Assistants.
Education Requirements: Physicians Assistants must complete accredited, formal education program and pass a National exam to obtain a license. Physician’s Assistant programs usually last at least 2 years and are full time.
Salary: The average salary for physician assistants in full-time clinical practice is $74,264.
5. Respiratory Therapists and Respiratory Therapy Technicians These Allied Health professionals—also known as respiratory care practitioners—evaluate, treat, and care for patients with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders. Respiratory Therapists assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care therapeutic treatments and diagnostic procedures, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Respiratory therapy technicians follow specific, well-defined respiratory care procedures under the direction of respiratory therapists and physicians
Job opportunities are expected to be very good, especially for respiratory therapists with cardiopulmonary care skills or experience working with infants. But all areas of Respiratory Therapy expect substantial growth due to the jump in the numbers of the middle-aged and elderly population—a development that will heighten the incidence of cardiopulmonary disease—and because of the expanding role of respiratory therapists in the early detection of pulmonary disorders, case management, disease prevention, and emergency care.
Educational Requirements: An associate’s degree is required for entry into the field. Most programs award associate’s or bachelor’s degrees and prepare graduates for jobs as advanced respiratory therapists.
Salary: The average salary for respiratory therapists is $43,140.
6. Athletic Trainers These Allied Health professionals help prevent and treat injuries for people of all ages. Their clients include everyone from professional athletes to industrial workers. Athletic trainers are often one of the first heath care providers on the scene when injuries occur, and therefore must be able to recognize, evaluate, and assess injuries and provide immediate care when needed. They also are heavily involved in the rehabilitation and reconditioning of injuries.
Job growth for Athletic Trainers is expected to be extensive, and will be concentrated in health care industry settings, such as ambulatory heath care services and hospitals.
Educational Requirements: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required for almost all jobs as an athletic trainer.
Salary: The salary of an athletic trainer depends on experience and job responsibilities, and varies by job setting, but the average salary for athletic trainers is $33,940.
7. Surgical Technologists These Allied Health professionals, also called scrubs and surgical or operating room technicians, assist in surgical operations under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. Before an operation, surgical technologists help prepare the operating room by setting up surgical instruments and equipment, sterile drapes, and sterile solutions. They assemble both sterile and non-sterile equipment, get patients ready for surgery, and transport patients to the operating room. During surgeries, Surgical Technologists also observe patients’ vital signs, check charts, and assist the surgical team with putting on sterile gowns and gloves.
Because the number of surgical procedures is expected to rise as the population grows and ages, job prospects for Surgical Technicians are extremely good.
Educational Requirements: Surgical technologists receive their training in formal programs offered by community and junior colleges, vocational schools, universities, hospitals, and the military.
Salary: The average salary of surgical technologists is $34,010.
8. Clinical laboratory Technologists These Allied Health professionals—also referred to as clinical laboratory scientists or medical technologists—perform most of the clinical laboratory tests that play a crucial role in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. Clinical laboratory personnel examine and analyze body fluids, and cells. They look for bacteria, parasites, and other microorganisms; analyze the chemical content of fluids; match blood for transfusions; and test for drug levels in the blood to show how a patient is responding to treatment. Technologists also prepare specimens for examination, count cells, and look for abnormal cells in blood and body fluids.
In the coming years the number of job openings in this field is expected to continue to exceed the number of job seekers, particularly as the volume of laboratory tests continues to increase with both population growth and the development of new types of tests.
Educational Requirements: Medical and clinical laboratory technicians generally have either an associate degree from a community or junior college or a certificate from a hospital or a vocational and technical school. The usual requirement for an entry-level position as a clinical laboratory technologist is a bachelor’s degree with a major in medical technology or in one of the life sciences.
Salary: Average salary for medical and clinical laboratory technologists is $45,730.
9. Medical and Health Services Managers Health care is a business and, like every other business, it needs good management to keep it running smoothly. These Allied Health professionals—also referred to as health care executives or health care administrators—plan, direct, coordinate, and supervise the delivery of health care. Medical and health services managers include specialists and generalists. Specialists are in charge of specific clinical departments or services, while generalists manage or help manage an entire facility or system. Increasingly, medical and health services managers will work in organizations in which they must optimize efficiency of a variety of related services—for example, those ranging from inpatient care to outpatient follow-up care.
As the health care industry continues to expand and diversify, job opportunities for Medical and Health Services Managers will be especially good in offices of health practitioners, general medical and surgical hospitals, home health care services, and outpatient care centers.
Educational Requirements: A master’s degree in health services administration or business administration is the standard credential for most positions in this field. A bachelor’s degree is adequate for some entry-level positions in smaller facilities, at the departmental level within health care organizations, and in health information management.
Salary: The average salary for medical and health services managers is $67,430, but can go as high as $117,990.
10. Dietitians and Nutritionists These Allied Health professionals plan food and nutrition programs and supervise the preparation and serving of meals. They help to prevent and treat illnesses by promoting healthy eating habits and recommending dietary modifications. Dietitians also manage food service systems for institutions such as hospitals and schools, promote sound eating habits through education, and conduct research.
The increasing emphasis on disease prevention through improved dietary habits, along with the growing and aging population, will boost the demand for meals and nutritional counseling in hospitals, residential care facilities, schools, prisons, community health programs, and home health care agencies. Public interest in nutrition and increased emphasis on health education and prudent lifestyles also will spur demand, especially in management.
Educational Requirements: Dietitians and nutritionists need at least a bachelor’s degree in dietetics, foods and nutrition, food service systems management, or a related area.
Salary: The average salary for dietitians and nutritionists is $43,630.
Automated Medical Office Receptionist is Everyone’s Good Friend
--------------------------------------------------------------
If you run a medical practice, you know that an automated medical office receptionist can be everyone’s good friend!
She can be good helper to doctors as a low-cost backup receptionist that works 24/7. She can be well-liked by patients as they no-longer hit voice mail box or being put on hold. Medical office staff will also be happy to have her onboard as she relieves them from trivial, repetitive tasks such as making reminder calls and making patient appointments.
Patients are under enough stress with their problems or fears without having to hold on waiting for a busy receptionist to come back to them. From being interesting, that music rapidly gets irritating and stressful: not good for a doctor’s practise. How often does your practise miss calls because your telephone lines are busy? You might have several lines or just the one; there will always be a time when an important call cannot get through to you.
It might be a call for emergency treatment from one of your favored patients, or simply a call for an appointment from a potential patient recommended to you by someone else. In either case, it would not be good for you if they could not get through. You can lose you money because of it.
How about in the evening, or at night? You might have an answer service, but would it not be better if that was personalized to your practice, and any really urgent calls filtered through to you? If you were a patient, would you like to be put on hold when you had to make an urgent appointment, or even worse, had a condition that needed urgent treatment? As a doctor even, would you like your patients to be put on hold or have to speak to a voice mail and leave a message, putting them under even more stress hoping that you will call back?
An automated medical receptionist will handle all of these situations without affecting your normal reception arrangements. Such services are designed to be the backup to your usual receptionist, and cut in only when the caller cannot get an immediate answer: on busy, no answer or voice mail message. Your automated backup receptionist handles the call while your regular receptionist is away from the desk or after hours.
From the point of view of the patient, they will love it to be was passed over to such a service if they called their doctor and got a busy message, or had been on hold for two or three minutes. That is a long time when you stop and look at the second hand going around a clock face! If I was calling to cancel and reschedule an appointment, and I had to wait too long, I would just put the phone down and not show for the appointment.
How much money do you lose monthly for no shows? It can be a major cost for some doctors. With an automated system, you cut down the number of no shows dramatically because the system automatically contacts everybody with an appointment to remind them of it. They can no longer ‘forget’ for you have given them a reminder the day or so before – you choose when.
Many of these jobs will be in the area of health care referred to as Allied Health. The term Allied Health is used to identify a cluster of health professions and covers as many as 100 different jobs (but not physicians and nurses). What are the Allied Health careers anticipating the most growth? While all Allied Health careers can anticipate growth in the coming years, these ten careers are all expected to grow over 25% each year—meaning that these careers will provide the greatest long-term job security. This top ten list includes educational requirements and average salaries.
1. Medical Assistants These Allied Health professionals perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly. The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice and the practitioner’s specialty. Medical assistants perform many administrative duties, including answering telephones, greeting patients, updating and filing patients’ medical records, filling out insurance forms, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, arranging for hospital admission and laboratory services, and handling billing and bookkeeping.
As the health care industry expands because of technological advances in medicine and the growth and aging of the population, more Medical Assistants will be needed. In fact, this is anticipated to be the fastest growing career through 2014.
Education Requirements: Most Medical Assistants complete postsecondary programs that last either one year, resulting in a certificate or diploma, or two years, resulting in an associate degree.
Salary: The average salary for Medical Assistants is $24,610.
2. Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians These Allied Health professionals assist physicians in diagnosing and treating cardiac (heart) and peripheral vascular (blood vessel) ailments. Cardiovascular technologists may specialize in any of three areas of practice: invasive cardiology, echocardiography, and vascular technology. Cardiovascular technologists specializing in invasive procedures are called cardiology technologists. Technologists prepare patients for cardiac catheterization and balloon angioplasty. During the procedures, they monitor patients’ blood pressure and heart rate with EKG equipment and notify the physician if something appears to be wrong. Technologists also may prepare and monitor patients during open-heart surgery and during the insertion of pacemakers and stents that open up blockages in arteries to the heart and major blood vessels.
Rapid employment growth is expected for Cardiovascular Technologists as the population ages, because older people have a higher incidence of heart problems and use more diagnostic imaging. Employment of vascular technologists and echocardiographers will also grow as advances in vascular technology and sonography reduce the need for more costly and invasive procedures.
Education Requirements: The majority of Cardiovascular Technologists complete a 2-year junior or community college program, but 4-year programs are increasingly available.
Salary: The average salary for Cardiovascular Technologists is $38,690 .
3. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Also known as ultrasonographers, these Allied Health professionals use special equipment to direct nonionizing, high frequency sound waves into areas of the patient’s body. Sonographers operate the equipment, which collects reflected echoes and forms an image that may be videotaped, transmitted, or photographed for interpretation and diagnosis by a physician.
As the population grows and ages, increasing the demand for diagnostic imaging and therapeutic technology means incredible growth in this field. Additionally, sonography is becoming an increasingly attractive alternative to radiologic procedures, as patients seek safer treatment methods, further increase the demand for sonographers.
Education Requirements: Colleges and universities offer formal training for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in both 2- and 4-year programs, culminating in an associate or a bachelor’s degree. Two-year programs are most prevalent.
Salary: The average salary for diagnostic medical sonographers is $52,490.
4. Physician Assistants These Allied Health Professionals practice medicine under the supervision of physicians and surgeons. Physicians Assistants are formally trained to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive health care services, as delegated by a physician. Working as members of the health care team, they take medical histories, examine and treat patients, order and interpret laboratory tests and X rays, and make diagnoses. Physicians Assistants may be the principal care providers in rural or inner city clinics, where a physician is present for only 1 or 2 days each week
Employment of Physicians Assistants is expected to grow much faster than average, ranking among the fastest growing occupations, due to anticipated expansion of the health care industry and an emphasis on cost containment, resulting in increasing utilization of Physicians Assistants.
Education Requirements: Physicians Assistants must complete accredited, formal education program and pass a National exam to obtain a license. Physician’s Assistant programs usually last at least 2 years and are full time.
Salary: The average salary for physician assistants in full-time clinical practice is $74,264.
5. Respiratory Therapists and Respiratory Therapy Technicians These Allied Health professionals—also known as respiratory care practitioners—evaluate, treat, and care for patients with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders. Respiratory Therapists assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care therapeutic treatments and diagnostic procedures, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Respiratory therapy technicians follow specific, well-defined respiratory care procedures under the direction of respiratory therapists and physicians
Job opportunities are expected to be very good, especially for respiratory therapists with cardiopulmonary care skills or experience working with infants. But all areas of Respiratory Therapy expect substantial growth due to the jump in the numbers of the middle-aged and elderly population—a development that will heighten the incidence of cardiopulmonary disease—and because of the expanding role of respiratory therapists in the early detection of pulmonary disorders, case management, disease prevention, and emergency care.
Educational Requirements: An associate’s degree is required for entry into the field. Most programs award associate’s or bachelor’s degrees and prepare graduates for jobs as advanced respiratory therapists.
Salary: The average salary for respiratory therapists is $43,140.
6. Athletic Trainers These Allied Health professionals help prevent and treat injuries for people of all ages. Their clients include everyone from professional athletes to industrial workers. Athletic trainers are often one of the first heath care providers on the scene when injuries occur, and therefore must be able to recognize, evaluate, and assess injuries and provide immediate care when needed. They also are heavily involved in the rehabilitation and reconditioning of injuries.
Job growth for Athletic Trainers is expected to be extensive, and will be concentrated in health care industry settings, such as ambulatory heath care services and hospitals.
Educational Requirements: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required for almost all jobs as an athletic trainer.
Salary: The salary of an athletic trainer depends on experience and job responsibilities, and varies by job setting, but the average salary for athletic trainers is $33,940.
7. Surgical Technologists These Allied Health professionals, also called scrubs and surgical or operating room technicians, assist in surgical operations under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. Before an operation, surgical technologists help prepare the operating room by setting up surgical instruments and equipment, sterile drapes, and sterile solutions. They assemble both sterile and non-sterile equipment, get patients ready for surgery, and transport patients to the operating room. During surgeries, Surgical Technologists also observe patients’ vital signs, check charts, and assist the surgical team with putting on sterile gowns and gloves.
Because the number of surgical procedures is expected to rise as the population grows and ages, job prospects for Surgical Technicians are extremely good.
Educational Requirements: Surgical technologists receive their training in formal programs offered by community and junior colleges, vocational schools, universities, hospitals, and the military.
Salary: The average salary of surgical technologists is $34,010.
8. Clinical laboratory Technologists These Allied Health professionals—also referred to as clinical laboratory scientists or medical technologists—perform most of the clinical laboratory tests that play a crucial role in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. Clinical laboratory personnel examine and analyze body fluids, and cells. They look for bacteria, parasites, and other microorganisms; analyze the chemical content of fluids; match blood for transfusions; and test for drug levels in the blood to show how a patient is responding to treatment. Technologists also prepare specimens for examination, count cells, and look for abnormal cells in blood and body fluids.
In the coming years the number of job openings in this field is expected to continue to exceed the number of job seekers, particularly as the volume of laboratory tests continues to increase with both population growth and the development of new types of tests.
Educational Requirements: Medical and clinical laboratory technicians generally have either an associate degree from a community or junior college or a certificate from a hospital or a vocational and technical school. The usual requirement for an entry-level position as a clinical laboratory technologist is a bachelor’s degree with a major in medical technology or in one of the life sciences.
Salary: Average salary for medical and clinical laboratory technologists is $45,730.
9. Medical and Health Services Managers Health care is a business and, like every other business, it needs good management to keep it running smoothly. These Allied Health professionals—also referred to as health care executives or health care administrators—plan, direct, coordinate, and supervise the delivery of health care. Medical and health services managers include specialists and generalists. Specialists are in charge of specific clinical departments or services, while generalists manage or help manage an entire facility or system. Increasingly, medical and health services managers will work in organizations in which they must optimize efficiency of a variety of related services—for example, those ranging from inpatient care to outpatient follow-up care.
As the health care industry continues to expand and diversify, job opportunities for Medical and Health Services Managers will be especially good in offices of health practitioners, general medical and surgical hospitals, home health care services, and outpatient care centers.
Educational Requirements: A master’s degree in health services administration or business administration is the standard credential for most positions in this field. A bachelor’s degree is adequate for some entry-level positions in smaller facilities, at the departmental level within health care organizations, and in health information management.
Salary: The average salary for medical and health services managers is $67,430, but can go as high as $117,990.
10. Dietitians and Nutritionists These Allied Health professionals plan food and nutrition programs and supervise the preparation and serving of meals. They help to prevent and treat illnesses by promoting healthy eating habits and recommending dietary modifications. Dietitians also manage food service systems for institutions such as hospitals and schools, promote sound eating habits through education, and conduct research.
The increasing emphasis on disease prevention through improved dietary habits, along with the growing and aging population, will boost the demand for meals and nutritional counseling in hospitals, residential care facilities, schools, prisons, community health programs, and home health care agencies. Public interest in nutrition and increased emphasis on health education and prudent lifestyles also will spur demand, especially in management.
Educational Requirements: Dietitians and nutritionists need at least a bachelor’s degree in dietetics, foods and nutrition, food service systems management, or a related area.
Salary: The average salary for dietitians and nutritionists is $43,630.
Automated Medical Office Receptionist is Everyone’s Good Friend
--------------------------------------------------------------
If you run a medical practice, you know that an automated medical office receptionist can be everyone’s good friend!
She can be good helper to doctors as a low-cost backup receptionist that works 24/7. She can be well-liked by patients as they no-longer hit voice mail box or being put on hold. Medical office staff will also be happy to have her onboard as she relieves them from trivial, repetitive tasks such as making reminder calls and making patient appointments.
Patients are under enough stress with their problems or fears without having to hold on waiting for a busy receptionist to come back to them. From being interesting, that music rapidly gets irritating and stressful: not good for a doctor’s practise. How often does your practise miss calls because your telephone lines are busy? You might have several lines or just the one; there will always be a time when an important call cannot get through to you.
It might be a call for emergency treatment from one of your favored patients, or simply a call for an appointment from a potential patient recommended to you by someone else. In either case, it would not be good for you if they could not get through. You can lose you money because of it.
How about in the evening, or at night? You might have an answer service, but would it not be better if that was personalized to your practice, and any really urgent calls filtered through to you? If you were a patient, would you like to be put on hold when you had to make an urgent appointment, or even worse, had a condition that needed urgent treatment? As a doctor even, would you like your patients to be put on hold or have to speak to a voice mail and leave a message, putting them under even more stress hoping that you will call back?
An automated medical receptionist will handle all of these situations without affecting your normal reception arrangements. Such services are designed to be the backup to your usual receptionist, and cut in only when the caller cannot get an immediate answer: on busy, no answer or voice mail message. Your automated backup receptionist handles the call while your regular receptionist is away from the desk or after hours.
From the point of view of the patient, they will love it to be was passed over to such a service if they called their doctor and got a busy message, or had been on hold for two or three minutes. That is a long time when you stop and look at the second hand going around a clock face! If I was calling to cancel and reschedule an appointment, and I had to wait too long, I would just put the phone down and not show for the appointment.
How much money do you lose monthly for no shows? It can be a major cost for some doctors. With an automated system, you cut down the number of no shows dramatically because the system automatically contacts everybody with an appointment to remind them of it. They can no longer ‘forget’ for you have given them a reminder the day or so before – you choose when.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
The Importance Of Medical Coding
The health care industry is growing extremely rapidly, each year that passes there is more of a demand for medical services, medical supplies, medical testing, and rehab. Because of this demand there is much more jobs that are available.
Medical coding is one of those jobs that need many positions filled. Medicaid, Medicare and insurance companies have put many new strict guidelines that need to be followed so that the doctor's can get paid. So this is why it's important that an experienced individual fill these positions.
If you are not sure what a medical coding job entails then let me explain. Medical coders are responsible for reading the doctor's notes and transferring the patient's information using codes into the patient's medical records. If the patient had a special procedure done, then it would need to be put into a code in his/her medical chart. Another example, if the patient came in for a pap smear then it needs to be in her medical chart. These codes are universal alphanumerical. These codes are the first step to billing and if they are incorrect then they will be charged the wrong amount.
If you wanted to start a career in medical coding then you would want to take courses and get a certificate. I say it that way because it is not uncommon for people without a certificate in this field to get a job, but it will be harder and you wouldn't get paid as much.
There are many codes that you would be responsible to know, as well as many strict guidelines that you would need to know. If you made one mistake, that you may think is a small little mistake, can cause the doctor a large sum of money that they cannot get because you put the wrong code in. So you can see the importance of having an in-depth knowledge of these standardized medical codes.
Completing the medical coding course can take you anywhere from 3 months to one year. It all depends on how much time you have to devote to completing the courses. But it's a short period of time when you can get your certificate and begin potentially making a starting salary of $31,000. That's a good starting salary wouldn't you say? There are plenty of online courses that you are able to take and complete it at your own pace - Drexel or Allied Medical School are two good schools.
The courses you will take will teach you medical terminology, anatomy, medical procedures and much more. All of these courses are very important to complete the duties of a medical coder, and for them to complete them accurately.
Medical coding is one of those jobs that need many positions filled. Medicaid, Medicare and insurance companies have put many new strict guidelines that need to be followed so that the doctor's can get paid. So this is why it's important that an experienced individual fill these positions.
If you are not sure what a medical coding job entails then let me explain. Medical coders are responsible for reading the doctor's notes and transferring the patient's information using codes into the patient's medical records. If the patient had a special procedure done, then it would need to be put into a code in his/her medical chart. Another example, if the patient came in for a pap smear then it needs to be in her medical chart. These codes are universal alphanumerical. These codes are the first step to billing and if they are incorrect then they will be charged the wrong amount.
If you wanted to start a career in medical coding then you would want to take courses and get a certificate. I say it that way because it is not uncommon for people without a certificate in this field to get a job, but it will be harder and you wouldn't get paid as much.
There are many codes that you would be responsible to know, as well as many strict guidelines that you would need to know. If you made one mistake, that you may think is a small little mistake, can cause the doctor a large sum of money that they cannot get because you put the wrong code in. So you can see the importance of having an in-depth knowledge of these standardized medical codes.
Completing the medical coding course can take you anywhere from 3 months to one year. It all depends on how much time you have to devote to completing the courses. But it's a short period of time when you can get your certificate and begin potentially making a starting salary of $31,000. That's a good starting salary wouldn't you say? There are plenty of online courses that you are able to take and complete it at your own pace - Drexel or Allied Medical School are two good schools.
The courses you will take will teach you medical terminology, anatomy, medical procedures and much more. All of these courses are very important to complete the duties of a medical coder, and for them to complete them accurately.
WHAT TO CONSIDER WHILE CHOOSING A MEDICAL BILLING COMPANY
Medical Billing Service is a great solution for some practices and a disaster for others. Why it becomes a disaster and why most of the physician failed to opt a better medical billing service. What makes the disparity? Your certain requirements, needs and the selection criteria you use, are critical in deciding the right medical billing company. Further than, you need to appraise the presentation of any medical billing service you consider and recognize exactly what services you're purchasing. Here is course of actions you may need to consider when deciding a medical billing service. Besides, these guidelines, probabilities of disaster can be reduced when you decide to turn over your billing function to a third party (medical billing service provider). What a billing service can do - Identify your needs and requirements
Identifying your needs and requirements before deciding, whether outsourcing your billing would help your practice or not; make sure first what a medical billing service can offer you. Typically medical billing companies provide following services and solutions:
-Data entry support for patients, these may include demographic and billing information of a patient, charges for a particular service, receipts and adjustments.
-Production and creation of patient statement and let them inform through emails.
-Collection and tracking of payments from third parties as well as from patients.
-Record submission services, both electronic and paper based medical records of patients. -Exclusion of inactive account.
-Making and creation of management report.
Understand what a Billing Service can do? Before deciding whether outsourcing your billing would help your practice, be sure you know what a billing service can offer you. Different firms provide different services and equipment, but they typically include the following:
-Data entry of patients' demographic and billing information, charges, receipts and adjustments;
-Production and submission of claims, both electronic and paper-based;
-Production and mailing of patient statements;
-Collection and tracking of payments from third parties and patients;
-Purging of inactive accounts;
-Production of management reports;
-Installation of computer terminals and printers so the practice can perform queries, update records, schedule appointments, and generate demand reports, demand statements and super bills.
-Identify your needs and wants
Next, carefully document the specific functions and characteristics of your current billing system. These include how the system tracks patient demographics, how it handles data entry, how it generates paper and electronic claims, its collection features, its ability to generate standard and customized reports -- and everything else you find important. Think about what you like about your current system, what you don't like and what features you wish it had. Then use that information to develop a list of the features you want from a Billing Service system.
Identifying your needs and requirements before deciding, whether outsourcing your billing would help your practice or not; make sure first what a medical billing service can offer you. Typically medical billing companies provide following services and solutions:
-Data entry support for patients, these may include demographic and billing information of a patient, charges for a particular service, receipts and adjustments.
-Production and creation of patient statement and let them inform through emails.
-Collection and tracking of payments from third parties as well as from patients.
-Record submission services, both electronic and paper based medical records of patients. -Exclusion of inactive account.
-Making and creation of management report.
Understand what a Billing Service can do? Before deciding whether outsourcing your billing would help your practice, be sure you know what a billing service can offer you. Different firms provide different services and equipment, but they typically include the following:
-Data entry of patients' demographic and billing information, charges, receipts and adjustments;
-Production and submission of claims, both electronic and paper-based;
-Production and mailing of patient statements;
-Collection and tracking of payments from third parties and patients;
-Purging of inactive accounts;
-Production of management reports;
-Installation of computer terminals and printers so the practice can perform queries, update records, schedule appointments, and generate demand reports, demand statements and super bills.
-Identify your needs and wants
Next, carefully document the specific functions and characteristics of your current billing system. These include how the system tracks patient demographics, how it handles data entry, how it generates paper and electronic claims, its collection features, its ability to generate standard and customized reports -- and everything else you find important. Think about what you like about your current system, what you don't like and what features you wish it had. Then use that information to develop a list of the features you want from a Billing Service system.
The benefits of outsourcing
Outsourcing is the process where a company uses a third party to perform work that is normally performed in-house. Outsourcing can be used for many different types of activities such as payroll, accounting, sales, distribution or computer programming. In recent years, offshore outsourcing has grown in popularity as companies have discovered that foreign labor is cheap, efficient and the level of English proficiency adequate to facilitate business transactions.
The most obvious benefit of outsourcing is that it can save money. This is not necessarily the most important consideration. Often, companies are stretched for resources and are forced to make strategic decisions about where to best deploy human capital. The opportunity cost of doing tasks that consume time can take focus away from core business activities. Outsourcing can be used effectively to take charge of tasks that detract from business performance.
Outsourcing can also be used effectively in instances where a company is forced to consider hiring and training additional staff. The downtime in selecting a candidate, grooming them for businesses processes and turning them into productive workers is both time intensive and costly. This is amplified in situations that require the additional purchase of equipment such as computer workstations or expensive software. Outsourcing to a competent company that can immediately commence producing the desired solution can be a superior alternative.
In some markets, lead time to market can mean the difference between establishing a competitive advantage or becoming a market laggard. This is particularly evident in technology companies that require fast turn around time on application development. Many fortune 500 companies in the US have discovered that outsourcing programming services to companies in India can produce a superior business outcome. This eliminates the need to establish infrastructure, maintain staff and operate ongoing training and development programs. This also frees up resources that can be deployed for growing other important areas of the companies business.
Medical companies have also discovered the benefits of outsourcing coding and billing work to offshore companies. With highly trained staff conversant in US guidelines and standards, medical companies can dispatch records and have the information turned around by next business day. This can be particularly advantageous to companies that are experiencing growth and need a scalable solution. Established outsourcing companies have existing systems and staff that can be allocated according to the demands of the company. This is a superior solution for companies that would otherwise be forced to source the necessary infrastructure and labor.
Outsourcing has many benefits. Companies that are considering outsourcing should conduct a comprehensive analysis of existing business activities and outsource when it makes strategic sense to do so.
The most obvious benefit of outsourcing is that it can save money. This is not necessarily the most important consideration. Often, companies are stretched for resources and are forced to make strategic decisions about where to best deploy human capital. The opportunity cost of doing tasks that consume time can take focus away from core business activities. Outsourcing can be used effectively to take charge of tasks that detract from business performance.
Outsourcing can also be used effectively in instances where a company is forced to consider hiring and training additional staff. The downtime in selecting a candidate, grooming them for businesses processes and turning them into productive workers is both time intensive and costly. This is amplified in situations that require the additional purchase of equipment such as computer workstations or expensive software. Outsourcing to a competent company that can immediately commence producing the desired solution can be a superior alternative.
In some markets, lead time to market can mean the difference between establishing a competitive advantage or becoming a market laggard. This is particularly evident in technology companies that require fast turn around time on application development. Many fortune 500 companies in the US have discovered that outsourcing programming services to companies in India can produce a superior business outcome. This eliminates the need to establish infrastructure, maintain staff and operate ongoing training and development programs. This also frees up resources that can be deployed for growing other important areas of the companies business.
Medical companies have also discovered the benefits of outsourcing coding and billing work to offshore companies. With highly trained staff conversant in US guidelines and standards, medical companies can dispatch records and have the information turned around by next business day. This can be particularly advantageous to companies that are experiencing growth and need a scalable solution. Established outsourcing companies have existing systems and staff that can be allocated according to the demands of the company. This is a superior solution for companies that would otherwise be forced to source the necessary infrastructure and labor.
Outsourcing has many benefits. Companies that are considering outsourcing should conduct a comprehensive analysis of existing business activities and outsource when it makes strategic sense to do so.
Medical Assistants - The helping hands of Medical Profession!
A Medical Assistant may be defined as a health care professional with multiple aptitudes. While doctors and physician assistants handle purely medical tasks, medical assistants take care of the administrative duties along with medical tasks that do not need high medical proficiency.
Medical Assisting and the duties it entails
Medical assistants perform administrative, laboratory and clinical tasks in various health care facilities. Administrative duties include internal and external communication, correspondence, patient welfare, maintenance of patient records, insurance forms, scheduling appointments, arranging for hospital admission and laboratory services and handling billing and bookkeeping.
Clinical duties of a medical assistant briefly include recording vital signs, preparing patients for examination, explaining treatment procedures to patients, and assisting the physician during the examination. Clinical duties also require a reasonable level of manual dexterity and visual acuity.
Laboratory tasks include collection and preparation of laboratory specimens, performing basic laboratory tests on the premises, disposal of contaminated supplies, and sterilization of medical instruments.
Medical assistants may also assist physicians in instructing patients about medications and special diets, preparation and administration of medications, maintain medical and drug supplies, draw blood, prepare patients for x rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures and change dressings.
Dealing with patients and public is an important part of a medical assistant's profile. Hence, grooming, courtesy and an ability to put patients at ease are essential. Also, they must respect the confidential nature of medical information.
The nature of medical assisting and the duties involved differ from one health care facility to another according to the location, size of the practice and the practitioner's specialization.
Medical assistants working directly under an office manager, physician, or other health practitioners for small medical outfits may undertake both administrative and clinical duties. In larger practices, medical assistants working under department administrators tend to specialize only in specific areas.
Medical assistant education
Medical assistants are in great demand for their organizing skills coupled with a level of medical aptitude. The presence of a medical assistant gives physicians and practitioners leeway to focus on their core duties, leaving the frills to the medical assistant.
A competent and trained medical assistant will ensure smooth operation of any health care facility. Most employers prefer trained and certified medical assistant professionals because the certificate indicates completion of formal training and clearing an accredited medical assistant exam implies a competence level that matches with industry standards.
Several institutions offer formal training in medical assisting. Vocational or technical institutes, community colleges, proprietary schools, online educational programs or junior colleges offer certificate or diploma programs in medical assisting. Postsecondary programs usually last either 1 year, resulting in a certificate or diploma, or 2 years, resulting in an associate degree.
Courses cover anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology, as well as typing, transcription, record keeping, accounting, and insurance processing. Students learn laboratory techniques, clinical and diagnostic procedures, pharmaceutical principles, the administration of medications, and first aid. They study office practices, patient relations, medical law, and ethics. Accredited programs include an internship that provides practical experience in physicians' offices, hospitals, or other health care facilities.
The curriculum presented by the medical assistant school should be accredited in order for the graduates to become either certified or registered. In 2002, there were 495 medical assisting programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and about 170 accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education School (ABHES).
Accreditation by either CAAHEP, ABHES or other accreditation associations usually requires that the schools curriculum provide sufficient classroom, lecture, and laboratory time (if applicable) to each of the courses.
Though full time courses are available, health care professionals wanting to become certified medical assistants opt for correspondence courses so as not to interrupt their regular schedules. Home study is an advantage of a correspondence course as it helps such students secure a certificate without taking a break from employment and earning.
In tune with the online trend, medical assistant education programs are now being offered on the Internet. Due care needs to be taken before signing up for an online medical assistant certificate course as there are many that are typically licensed, sound similar to accredited courses but do not give out market worthy Medical Assistant Certificates.
An accredited and reliable online medical assistant certificate program is offered by the St.Augustine's School of Medical Assistants. Online educational services are being offered by the St. Augustine School of Medical assistants to provide certified and quality medical assistant education to aspiring candidates. The distance education program offered by the St. Augustine online can be completed in 6-8 weeks at a cost much lesser than traditional classroom instruction courses. Similar program offered by St. Augustine's educational services online include Nursing Assistant and Med Assistant.
Medical Assistant Program and Certificate
The right online Medical Assistant program is one that is accredited, affordable and accessible. Online courses can generally be completed within 6-8 weeks. Online Medical Assistant Programs can be conveniently accessed through Internet from any location and one can secure an Accredited Medical Assistant Certificate while managing official and personal responsibilities.
Medical Assistant Course Content usually includes Medical Terminology, Human Body Planes, Basic Human Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Office Professionalism, Patient Communication, Medical Records, Basic Medical Law, Scheduling Appointments, Medical Billing and Insurance Claims, Infection Control, Surgical Instruments, Emergency Care, Clinical Equipment, Patient History and Physicals, ECG and Lab Testing, Specimen Collection and Lab Safety, Introduction to Patient Medications.
Online Clinical Labs are also provided as part of the course that gives practical knowledge essential for a Medical Assistant. These include: ? Virtual Phlebotomy Lab (shows students how to collect a blood specimen "draw blood") ? Virtual Injection Lab (shows students how to administer intramuscular injections) ? online clinical instructional videos in medication injections ? measuring a pulse, CPR and ultrasound and more
Online Medical Assistant Exam: An online Medical Assistant exam is conducted after course completion. The exam may be taken as often as needed to secure a passing grade without incurring any surplus expense. On clearing the exam, a Medical Assistant certificate is awarded to the candidate in approximately 1-2 weeks.
Medical Assistant Certification and registration
Medical assistant certification is a way to guarantee competency of a medical assistant at a job-entry level. Certification is usually achieved by taking a test issued by the National Board of Medical Examiners and AAMA, or AMT, or NHA or NAHP and is offered twice yearly, simultaneously, at over 200 different test sites across the United States. Successful completion of the exam makes the candidate a Certified Medical Assistant, or CMA. Certification is a legal requirement for any medical assistant to conform with the CMA status.
Registered Medical Assistant or RMA is another credential over CMA. The American Technologists (AMT) agency is responsible for certifying MA's who choose this course. AMT offers this certification in June and November, through a computerized exam, similar to the one offered by the AAMA.
To become eligible to hold the title of RMA a student must be at least 18-years-old and either pass a medical assisting curriculum at a school accredited by either ABHES or CAAHEP, or possess a minimum of 5 years experience. The initials RMA then follow the individual's name. RMAs have historically been very active in legislation, seeking protection for medical assistants, as well as continuously encouraging improved educational curriculum.
Medical assistants do not have license to work individually and are required by law to work under the direct supervision of a licensed healthcare professional whenever they provide direct patient care procedures. In several states unlicensed healthcare providers, including medical assistants, are required to have an authorization by the state, by passing a test in several tasks like drawing blood, taking x-rays etc.
Career prospects for Medical Assistants
Medical assistants may progress in their career to the role of office manager. They may enter a variety of administrative support occupations or may teach medical assisting. With additional education, they may opt for other health care occupations like nursing and medical technology.
Medical Assisting and the duties it entails
Medical assistants perform administrative, laboratory and clinical tasks in various health care facilities. Administrative duties include internal and external communication, correspondence, patient welfare, maintenance of patient records, insurance forms, scheduling appointments, arranging for hospital admission and laboratory services and handling billing and bookkeeping.
Clinical duties of a medical assistant briefly include recording vital signs, preparing patients for examination, explaining treatment procedures to patients, and assisting the physician during the examination. Clinical duties also require a reasonable level of manual dexterity and visual acuity.
Laboratory tasks include collection and preparation of laboratory specimens, performing basic laboratory tests on the premises, disposal of contaminated supplies, and sterilization of medical instruments.
Medical assistants may also assist physicians in instructing patients about medications and special diets, preparation and administration of medications, maintain medical and drug supplies, draw blood, prepare patients for x rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures and change dressings.
Dealing with patients and public is an important part of a medical assistant's profile. Hence, grooming, courtesy and an ability to put patients at ease are essential. Also, they must respect the confidential nature of medical information.
The nature of medical assisting and the duties involved differ from one health care facility to another according to the location, size of the practice and the practitioner's specialization.
Medical assistants working directly under an office manager, physician, or other health practitioners for small medical outfits may undertake both administrative and clinical duties. In larger practices, medical assistants working under department administrators tend to specialize only in specific areas.
Medical assistant education
Medical assistants are in great demand for their organizing skills coupled with a level of medical aptitude. The presence of a medical assistant gives physicians and practitioners leeway to focus on their core duties, leaving the frills to the medical assistant.
A competent and trained medical assistant will ensure smooth operation of any health care facility. Most employers prefer trained and certified medical assistant professionals because the certificate indicates completion of formal training and clearing an accredited medical assistant exam implies a competence level that matches with industry standards.
Several institutions offer formal training in medical assisting. Vocational or technical institutes, community colleges, proprietary schools, online educational programs or junior colleges offer certificate or diploma programs in medical assisting. Postsecondary programs usually last either 1 year, resulting in a certificate or diploma, or 2 years, resulting in an associate degree.
Courses cover anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology, as well as typing, transcription, record keeping, accounting, and insurance processing. Students learn laboratory techniques, clinical and diagnostic procedures, pharmaceutical principles, the administration of medications, and first aid. They study office practices, patient relations, medical law, and ethics. Accredited programs include an internship that provides practical experience in physicians' offices, hospitals, or other health care facilities.
The curriculum presented by the medical assistant school should be accredited in order for the graduates to become either certified or registered. In 2002, there were 495 medical assisting programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and about 170 accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education School (ABHES).
Accreditation by either CAAHEP, ABHES or other accreditation associations usually requires that the schools curriculum provide sufficient classroom, lecture, and laboratory time (if applicable) to each of the courses.
Though full time courses are available, health care professionals wanting to become certified medical assistants opt for correspondence courses so as not to interrupt their regular schedules. Home study is an advantage of a correspondence course as it helps such students secure a certificate without taking a break from employment and earning.
In tune with the online trend, medical assistant education programs are now being offered on the Internet. Due care needs to be taken before signing up for an online medical assistant certificate course as there are many that are typically licensed, sound similar to accredited courses but do not give out market worthy Medical Assistant Certificates.
An accredited and reliable online medical assistant certificate program is offered by the St.Augustine's School of Medical Assistants. Online educational services are being offered by the St. Augustine School of Medical assistants to provide certified and quality medical assistant education to aspiring candidates. The distance education program offered by the St. Augustine online can be completed in 6-8 weeks at a cost much lesser than traditional classroom instruction courses. Similar program offered by St. Augustine's educational services online include Nursing Assistant and Med Assistant.
Medical Assistant Program and Certificate
The right online Medical Assistant program is one that is accredited, affordable and accessible. Online courses can generally be completed within 6-8 weeks. Online Medical Assistant Programs can be conveniently accessed through Internet from any location and one can secure an Accredited Medical Assistant Certificate while managing official and personal responsibilities.
Medical Assistant Course Content usually includes Medical Terminology, Human Body Planes, Basic Human Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Office Professionalism, Patient Communication, Medical Records, Basic Medical Law, Scheduling Appointments, Medical Billing and Insurance Claims, Infection Control, Surgical Instruments, Emergency Care, Clinical Equipment, Patient History and Physicals, ECG and Lab Testing, Specimen Collection and Lab Safety, Introduction to Patient Medications.
Online Clinical Labs are also provided as part of the course that gives practical knowledge essential for a Medical Assistant. These include: ? Virtual Phlebotomy Lab (shows students how to collect a blood specimen "draw blood") ? Virtual Injection Lab (shows students how to administer intramuscular injections) ? online clinical instructional videos in medication injections ? measuring a pulse, CPR and ultrasound and more
Online Medical Assistant Exam: An online Medical Assistant exam is conducted after course completion. The exam may be taken as often as needed to secure a passing grade without incurring any surplus expense. On clearing the exam, a Medical Assistant certificate is awarded to the candidate in approximately 1-2 weeks.
Medical Assistant Certification and registration
Medical assistant certification is a way to guarantee competency of a medical assistant at a job-entry level. Certification is usually achieved by taking a test issued by the National Board of Medical Examiners and AAMA, or AMT, or NHA or NAHP and is offered twice yearly, simultaneously, at over 200 different test sites across the United States. Successful completion of the exam makes the candidate a Certified Medical Assistant, or CMA. Certification is a legal requirement for any medical assistant to conform with the CMA status.
Registered Medical Assistant or RMA is another credential over CMA. The American Technologists (AMT) agency is responsible for certifying MA's who choose this course. AMT offers this certification in June and November, through a computerized exam, similar to the one offered by the AAMA.
To become eligible to hold the title of RMA a student must be at least 18-years-old and either pass a medical assisting curriculum at a school accredited by either ABHES or CAAHEP, or possess a minimum of 5 years experience. The initials RMA then follow the individual's name. RMAs have historically been very active in legislation, seeking protection for medical assistants, as well as continuously encouraging improved educational curriculum.
Medical assistants do not have license to work individually and are required by law to work under the direct supervision of a licensed healthcare professional whenever they provide direct patient care procedures. In several states unlicensed healthcare providers, including medical assistants, are required to have an authorization by the state, by passing a test in several tasks like drawing blood, taking x-rays etc.
Career prospects for Medical Assistants
Medical assistants may progress in their career to the role of office manager. They may enter a variety of administrative support occupations or may teach medical assisting. With additional education, they may opt for other health care occupations like nursing and medical technology.
History of Outsourcing
In fact outsourcing is said to have emerged a few thousand years ago with the production and sales of food, tools and other household appliances. As soon as small communities and societies began to form, people with specialized professions began to trade with each other for goods and services. In effect it can be said that each worker was outsourcing some activities to others. The history of outsourcing shows that even in the industrial age, a few thousand years later, very few companies outsourced any of their operations. Companies in the 1800s and 1900s were vertically integrated organizations, taking care of their own production, mining, and manufacturing from raw materials to finished goods as well as then shipping the goods to company owned retail outlets. These companies were often self-insures, handled their own taxes, employed their own lawyers, as well as designed and built their own buildings without outside assistance. This of course is not applicable to all companies during that time period, but it gives a general idea of the time.
The history of outsourcing shows that through specialization contracting began to be more popular, especially in the service industry. This in turn led to the first wave of outsourcing during the industrial revolution pushing the large-scale growth of services such as insurance services, architecture and engineering services, among many others. At this time the companies doing the outsourced work were mostly located in the same country, often in the city, just like the customers.
The history of outsourcing portrays that as onshore outsourcing continued manufacturing outsourcing of low-tech items such as toys, shoes and apparel goods began to take place. After this manufacturing higher value items like high-tech components and consumer electronics began to appear. In fact outsourcing history demonstrates that manufacturing was the first activity that began to move to offshore destinations in a quest for lower costs. Through the development of infrastructure as transportation and logistics improved, the costs decreased and offshore manufacturing increased. As the education and skills on lower wage countries developed, outsourcing manufacturers gained more value. More recently, in the US during 1970s, it was common for computer companies to export their payrolls to outside service providers for processing. This continued into the 1980s, when accounting services, payroll, billing, and word processing all became outsourced work.
Towards the end of modern day history of outsourcing, the trend has moved into the world of information technology, data transcription and call center operations. Studies on the history of outsourcing conclude that outsourcing is clearly not just about payrolls and call centers. This can be seen by simply looking into your medicine cabinet. It is very likely that the R&D of your daily medicine was outsourced to companies in India. Your insurance company which covers the costs of your medications may have their claim processing to offshore transcription providers. And your medical clinic may easily be outsourcing the administration of your confidential medical records to India, Russia or the Philippines.
The history of outsourcing shows that through specialization contracting began to be more popular, especially in the service industry. This in turn led to the first wave of outsourcing during the industrial revolution pushing the large-scale growth of services such as insurance services, architecture and engineering services, among many others. At this time the companies doing the outsourced work were mostly located in the same country, often in the city, just like the customers.
The history of outsourcing portrays that as onshore outsourcing continued manufacturing outsourcing of low-tech items such as toys, shoes and apparel goods began to take place. After this manufacturing higher value items like high-tech components and consumer electronics began to appear. In fact outsourcing history demonstrates that manufacturing was the first activity that began to move to offshore destinations in a quest for lower costs. Through the development of infrastructure as transportation and logistics improved, the costs decreased and offshore manufacturing increased. As the education and skills on lower wage countries developed, outsourcing manufacturers gained more value. More recently, in the US during 1970s, it was common for computer companies to export their payrolls to outside service providers for processing. This continued into the 1980s, when accounting services, payroll, billing, and word processing all became outsourced work.
Towards the end of modern day history of outsourcing, the trend has moved into the world of information technology, data transcription and call center operations. Studies on the history of outsourcing conclude that outsourcing is clearly not just about payrolls and call centers. This can be seen by simply looking into your medicine cabinet. It is very likely that the R&D of your daily medicine was outsourced to companies in India. Your insurance company which covers the costs of your medications may have their claim processing to offshore transcription providers. And your medical clinic may easily be outsourcing the administration of your confidential medical records to India, Russia or the Philippines.
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