[right-sidedNYer]

You have heard correct. Initially it was being done to save money - as obviously, Indian MTs can survive on a heck of a lot less than American MTs. But what has happened over the years is that the quality of work being produced out of India is less than satisfactory, hence needing American editors, which ultimately raises the cost of the transcription per line - eliminating the initial benefit. The quality of the work that comes out of India is horrid. They can't do it without help from American MTs.

There are some success stories -- there are a few Indian medical transcription companies that have managed to do well with associations with MT companies here in the US. The Indian government recently decided to keep medical transcription a nontaxable industry - which motivates Indian MT companies even more than before. Unlike the IT industry, however, MTs in the US are not losing their jobs to Indian MTs - yet. They don't help because they can and do come in and undercut US services, thusly keeping American MTs pay at the same rate it has been for years and years (can't blame all of that on overseas transcription) BUT - your medical records, along with your SS#, and other pertinent information could be going overseas - and unless they're being edited by American MTs -- there are probably a multitude of mistakes/errors in your medical records. The new HIPAA laws will not be able to enforced in India either.

[Enterprise]

Americans should be deeply worried about the release of sensitive information to overseas companies. I agree, HIPPA will be useless here. As usual they will jump on violators with both feet in America where horror stories overseas will go uninvestigated.

[riri]

But what has happened over the years is that the quality of work being produced out of India is less than satisfactory, hence needing American editors

But that is pretty much always the case with outsourcing, foreign subs, etc. It takes a boatload of Expen$ive American ex pat's to babysit. Furnished houses, expense accounts, home leaves, fuel reimbursements, perks, etc.--

[lelio]

The Indian government recently decided to keep medical transcription a nontaxable industry
Sounds like the US should do the same for here, and tax foreign work.

your medical records, along with your SS#, and other pertinent information could be going overseas
How long till someone realizes that offering a person $500 to a person that makes $5k a year is enough of an incentive to give them any information that comes across their desk? I'm waiting to see some CDs printed with everyone's SSN from their records being sent to India.

[Moonmad27]

When it came time to choose a medical transcription service a couple years ago, one major transcription company sounded good. It has a name that sounds like it's middle America at its best - in the heartland, so to speak - but their salesman finally admitted it sends work to India. I'm glad someone else with American transcriptionists got the contract.

[John Jorsett]

your medical records, along with your SS#, and other pertinent information could be going overseas

Not mine. I pay cash, give a fake SS# if they insist on having one (one of these days just for fun I'm going to see what happens if I claim to be an illegal alien), and I'm never treated under my real name. I learned the hard way what can happen if one's medical records fall into the wrong hands, so I'm taking no chances.