Prospects bright for healthcare BPO, says industry exec

An association for healthcare-related business process outsourcing in the country says that the industry is maintaining its position at the top of the world when it comes to healthcare information management outsourcing (HIMO) solutions. The country is “responding to the global demand” for these services, said Healthcare Information Management Outsourcing Association of the Philippines (HIMOAP) president JL Botor. New rules and technological changes alone — such as the mandatory implementation of electronic health records — will mean an influx of custom for HIMO providers.   One of these changes is the United States’ conversion from ICD-9 to ICD-10.   International Classification of Diseases, or ICD, is a medical coding system followed by most countries for healthcare record keeping. The US’ switch to ICD-10 in October 2014 is expected to raise the number of medical codes that need processing. However, these changes will also mean that these providers have to modify their operations to survive. To keep up with the changes and the potential growth in demand, say experts, the industry needs government help. “HIMO is a rather new industry,” said Trankripsyo chief executive officer Michael Chua. “The government should continue to assist in terms of manpower development and creating awareness in major markets such as the US, Europe, Australia and Asia.” Chua added that the country needs to cultivate a quality pool of HIM professionals, but course offerings remain limited and expensive. Partnerships with educational institutions like the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) can create a domestic demand and bring education closer to the potential talent. — BM, GMA News