What is RapidRetrieve?
Does RapidRetrieve work with my current browser?
What if I don't have the right browser?
What if my browser isn't 128 bit SSL capable?
How do I know if JavaScript is enabled?
What is the HIPAA Privacy and Security Notice that I see
after logging in?
What is HIPAA and how does it affect me?
Can I request a rush on my record orders?
Why do I have to specify the purpose and type of information
when I order records?
How do I get help?
What is HIPAA?
What information is protected under HIPAA?
What boundaries does HIPAA place on medical record use and
release?
How does HIPAA affect me?
How does HIPAA affect healthcare providers?
When does HIPAA take effect?
What is MediConnect doing to be compliant with HIPAA?
Are MediConnect employees HIPAA trained?
What is Imaging?
What is Customizable Bates/Page Stamping?
How much does it cost?
How do I order Imaging?
What kinds of documents can be imaged?
How quickly can you image my documents?
What is Sorting/Indexing?
What are the benefits of these services for a law firm?
What types of records can be sorted?
How do I order Sorting/Indexing?
What if I already have the medical record and would like
to have these services performed?
Can records from multiple requests be sorted together, such
as records from different providers for the same patient?
How much longer does it take to sort a record after it is
retrieved?
In what format will I receive the sorted records?
Can I send the records to my experts?
How does page/Bates stamping relate to these services?
How do I get back a paper copy of the records?
Can I order additional paper copies?
Will I still be able to download the records if I request
a paper copy?
Is there a charge for paper copies?
Can I get a paper copy only, without the electronic version,
to save money?
How long does it take to get the paper copy of the records?
Can I get Page Stamping on the paper copy?
If I also order Sorting, will the paper copy be sorted?
Where can I call with other questions?
What is RapidRetrieve?
RapidRetrieve™ is the name of MediConnect's record-retrieval service,
which includes an Internet website where you can request records, check
status, and download retrieved records on-line.
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Does RapidRetrieve work
with my current browser?
You can use any of the following browser versions: Microsoft Internet
Explorer 4.0 to 7.0. 128-bit SSL and JavaScript must be enabled.
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What if I don't have the
right browser?
Click here to get Internet Explorer: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/ie/getitnow.mspx.
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What if my browser isn't
128 bit SSL capable?
The Internet Explorer High Encryption Pack gives you 128-bit encryption, the highest level of protection Microsoft can offer for all your Internet communications, including credit card use and financial transactions. Click here to update SSL on certain versions of Internet Explorer: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/recommended/128bit/default.mspx.
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How do I know if JavaScript
is enabled?
JavaScript is enabled on Internet Explorer 4.0 and higher.
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What is the HIPAA Privacy
and Security Notice that I see after logging in?
This is one of the features of the RapidRetrieve website. In accordance with HIPAA
security rules, everyone who accesses or views Protected Health Information
(PHI) on a computer system must be informed of the auditing and privacy
requirements under HIPAA at each login.
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What is HIPAA and how does
it affect me?
Click here to see a list of HIPAA FAQ's, which are also available in RapidRetrieve
under the HIPAA Information page (click the HIPAA Info link at
the bottom of the page after logging in).
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Can I request a rush on
my record orders?
Click here for information about accelerated retrieval options.
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Why do I have to specify
the purpose and type of information when I order records?
HIPAA regulations require that the purpose for releasing the records and
the specific types of information to be released (such as EKGs, Progress
Notes) be tracked by the provider when releasing medical records.
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How do I get help?
Nearly every page or screen has on-line context sensitive help, which
is accessed by clicking the question mark button in the upper right hand
corner of the page. You can also enter a note on a specific request to
get help from MediConnect Customer Service. Contact information is also available
by clicking on the "Contact Info" web link on the bottom of
each page.
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What is HIPAA?
HIPAA stands for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of
1996. This rule includes standards to protect the privacy of individually
identifiable information.
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What information is protected
under HIPAA?
All medical records and other individually identifiable health information
held or disclosed by a covered entity in any form, whether communicated
electronically, on paper, or orally, is covered by the final regulation.
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What boundaries does HIPAA
place on medical record use and release?
Disclosures of information must be limited to the minimum necessary for
the purpose of the disclosure. The purpose for disclosure must be clearly
stated.
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How does HIPAA affect
me?
HIPAA has an indirect effect on record requestors due to the extensive
requirements it places on healthcare providers and other covered entities
and on their Business Associates, such as MediConnect:
- You are required to use a HIPAA-compliant
authorization and provide much more information than in the past. MediConnect
has a HIPAA-compliant authorization form you can use to ensure that
your requests don't get returned because your authorization doesn't
meeting HIPAA requirements (see the Forms and Utilities page).
- Record requests typically take somewhat
longer to fulfill because providers will have more work to do for each
request to meet HIPAA regulations.
- All of your Internet transactions with MediConnect
must be encrypted using full 128-bit SSL.
- MediConnect cannot send records via non-secure
e-mail or other non-encrypted electronic method.
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How does HIPAA affect
healthcare providers?
HIPAA has a major, ongoing impact on healthcare providers in several
areas:
- Significant resources are required.
- Some degree of IT retooling has been required,
as well as major operational and procedural changes.
- Transactions have become more standardized,
resulting in eventual savings for electronic data interchange.
- For transaction standards, code sets, and identifiers,
implementation is the most expensive. Ongoing costs will involve
obtaining and implementing updates to the standards.
- Security and privacy regulations are the
most difficult and costly to implement and maintain because they are
broad in scope, less definitive, and require constant vigilance for
ongoing compliance.
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When does HIPAA take effect?
The HIPAA Privacy Rule took effect on April 14, 2003. However, many providers
began enforcing HIPAA regulations before that time. The HIPAA Security
Rule is based
on best practices for sensitive electronic information.
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What is MediConnect
doing to be compliant with HIPAA?
MediConnect is in total compliance with HIPAA regulations. We have over six years of experience
working with healthcare providers and handling protected health information.
We have reviewed the HIPAA regulations thoroughly and have reviewed our
policies and procedures, processes, contracts, computer systems and usage,
physical security, training, and all other relevant aspects of our business
to ensure compliance. Our process has also been reviewed
and found to be in compliance by outside legal counsel. MediConnect has
a HIPAA task force committee comprising senior management and representatives
of all departments across the company. This committee meets regularly,
reports to the CTO, and is responsible for evaluating and ensuring that
MediConnect complies with HIPAA regulations as a Business Associate.
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Are MediConnect
employees HIPAA trained?
Yes. Each employee that handles protected health information gets trained
when hired and receives ongoing training in privacy, security, and proper
protocols to ensure HIPAA compliance.
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What is Imaging?
Our Imaging service consists of scanning your paper documents into electronic
form, saving them in one of a variety of formats, and placing the image
online for download or sending you one or more copies of the scanned image
on CD or DVD with software for viewing and printing with a computer. Imaging
options include Page Stamping and return of your original documents. Imaging
is a great way to rid your office of stacks of old documents while preserving
the documents for future use on compact, readily accessible optical media.
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What is Customizable Bates/Page Stamping?
Customizable Bates/Page Stamping places additional text such as page numbers on the image.
You specify what text gets stamped on the image, the location of the text
on the page, and other formatting choices on the Imaging order form. The
text can include the page number, date, claim/case/policy number, request
ID, or any other text that you enter. This service provides you with an
image of your documents in PDF format and a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader.
For more information, click the link by the Customizable Bates/Page Stamping option on the
Imaging order form after logging in, or contact a sales representative.
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How much does
it cost?
Prices for Imaging services are listed in the client agreement. The prices
are based on the options selected when the Imaging order is placed:
- a base fee for Imaging (based on number of
pages processed)
- additional fee for Page Stamping (flat fee)
- fee for creating and shipping CD/DVD (based
on number of copies)
- fee for returning originals (shipping and handling)
- fee for canceled orders (canceled after documents
have been scanned)
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How do I order
Imaging?
After logging in to your account, click the new Order Imaging button,
fill out the new Imaging order form, and follow the directions on the
order confirmation page to send us your documents for imaging.
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What kinds of
documents can be imaged?
We can image paper documents that meet the following criteria:
- page sizes from 5-1/2" X 8-1/2" to
11" X 17"
- single or double sided
- staples can be left in (we remove them for
scanning but don't re-staple if we return the original documents)
- perforated strip charts that can be separated
into pages within the sizes above are acceptable
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How quickly can
you image my documents?
It may take 30 days from time you mail the documents until you receive
the scanned image. If your documents have more than 1000 pages, it could
take somewhat longer.
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What is Sorting/Indexing?
Sorting/Indexing is the service of separating and labeling the components
or sections of a medical record by category and chronological sequence.
All records will be sorted in the same sequence of categories, which allows
a certain type of record to be accessed quickly and identifies missing
types of records. This service relieves your staff of essential, but often
tedious, manual organizational work.
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What are the benefits
of these services for a law firm?
Speed and cost savings. You are charged only for the number of pages processed.
Using our services on one case can save a firm hundreds of dollars in
outside professional consulting fees or excessive hours of in-house staff
time. Our fee is a billable expense to the file.
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What types of
records can be sorted?
We sort all types of medical records, including: medical/surgical, obstetrical,
pediatric, physician office, treatment centers, nursing home, mental health,
hospice, and substance abuse.
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How do I order
Sorting/Indexing?
When you order a record, select the Sorting/Indexing option.
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What if I already
have the medical record and would like to have these services performed?
Fill out the record retrieval order form for the individual and requestor
as you normally would. Select the option called "I will send the
records to be sorted." Submit the order (provider info is not required),
print the confirmation sheet, and send it with the records to the address
or fax number on the confirmation sheet. We will process the record as
if we had retrieved it from a provider. Note: there will be a fee for
imaging the documents.
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Can records from
multiple requests be sorted together, such as records from different providers
for the same patient?
Yes! Just follow these steps. When ordering the individual records, DO
NOT select sorting; rather, wait until all the records are in, then print
out all of the records, create another request with sorting, and send
us the whole set of records (see the instructions in the previous question).
We will sort all of the records together.
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How much longer
does it take to sort a record after it is retrieved?
It will take about 15 days after we get the record. It may take longer
for records over 500 pages.
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In what format
will I receive the sorted records?
The records will be in the same format as the other records you order
(MCD, TIFF, or PDF). Check the Preferences form after logging in to your
account to see the default file format for your account.
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Can I send the
records to my experts?
After downloading the sorted records from our website, you can send the
records electronically to experts and opposing counsel, or you can print
and mail/fax the records.
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How does page/Bates
stamping relate to these services?
Page stamping (including Bates stamping) complements these services, eliminating
printing a copy of the record for stamping. Your account must be set to
PDF as the default image format to order page stamping.
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How do I get back
a paper copy of the records?
Check the option called "Send a paper copy of the record to the mailing
address specified above." in the Requestor Info section of the Records
Order form. Be sure to include your mailing address. We will mail a paper
copy of the records directly to you.
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Can I order additional
paper copies?
No. We provide only one paper copy of the records. If you need additional
copies, it will be more economical for you to make copies yourself or
have a copy service make copies.
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Will I still be
able to download the records if I request a paper copy?
Yes. We will place an electronic copy of the records on the website, regardless
of whether you order a paper copy.
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Is there a charge
for paper copies?
Yes, there is an additional charge based on the number of pages in the
record plus shipping and handling. Contact your Sales Representative for
pricing.
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Can I get a paper
copy only, without the electronic version, to save money?
No. We are the leader in on-line record retrieval. Providing an electronic
copy of your records is a core part of our solution. Providing a paper
copy is an add-on service.
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How long does
it take to get the paper copy of the records?
Usually within two weeks after the records have been retrieved. Records
with over 1000 pages may take slightly longer.
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Can I get Page
Stamping on the paper copy?
No. Page Stamping is not available for paper copies. However, the electronic
copy that you download from our website will be stamped if you ordered
Page Stamping.
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If I also order
Sorting, will the paper copy be sorted?
Yes. We will send you the sorted records that we scan to provide the electronic
copy on the website.
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Where can I call
with other questions?
Feel free to contact us toll-free at 800-489-8710 (Sales) or 800-489-8549
(Customer Service). You may also contact us by e-mail at sales@mediconnect.net
or customerservice@mediconnect.net.
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