HIMOAP and DOST-ICTO partnership boosts PHL healthcare outsourcing

(Manila, Philippines, November 13, 2012) — The Healthcare Information Management Outsourcing Association of the Philippines (HIMOAP) welcomed the support of the Department of Science and Technology-Information and Communications Office (DOST-ICTO) in the huge potential for growth of the healthcare information management (HIM) services in terms of investment and employment. Through the Stepping-Up the Value Chain program and Next Wave Cities™ project, DOST-ICTO provided funding for the major projects of the healthcare BPO sector.

“The Philippine healthcare outsourcing industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the IT-BPO industry. Together with HIMOAP and other stakeholders, we will ensure that the needs of the industry are properly addressed,” said DOST-ICTO Director Patricia Abejo. Following a consistent rise in momentum in recent years, the Philippine HIM outsourcing industry aims to hit the projected revenue of US$1 billion and 100,000 full-time employees (FTEs) by 2016.

According to HIMOAP, the HIM industry is expected to generate US$433 million in revenue and 43,000 FTEs by the end of 2012. Last year, revenues were up at US$277 million from US$102 million in 2010. To sustain growth and reach industry targets, HIMOAP has forged partnerships with DOST-ICTO.

“We are very fortunate to have the DOST-ICTO’s support because its programs are aligned with the implementation of ICT industry development project,” said Juanloz Botor, HIMOAP president.

The HIMOAP and DOST-ICTO partnership has made possible numerous programs and joint projects, helping the Philippine HIM industry strengthen local talent and build investor confidence. Three of the notable and successful projects include HIMOAP’s participation at the 2012 AHIMA Convention and Exhibit held at Chicago, Illinois; the Medical Coding and Billing Master Trainers’ Training Program to be implemented towards the end of this year; and the organization of Healthcare Information Management Outsourcing Services Congress (HIMOSC) 2012 in the Philippines.

HIMOAP’s participation in the 2012 American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Convention and Exhibit held from September 29 to October 4, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois has helped raise awareness of the Philippines’ HIM strengths and capabilities, build country branding and establish a thought leadership position for Philippine industry players. It also generated business opportunities and served as a venue to promote the recently concluded International Outsourcing Summit 2012.

“The 2012 AHIMA event allowed us to showcase our capabilities to mainstream HIM companies via a 200-square-foot country booth. In addition, we also got the opportunity to attend business meetings, and participate in a business forum in Los Angeles, California,” said Myla Reyes, TTSI managing director and HIMOAP immediate past president.

“Our partnership with the DOST-ICTO for medical coding and billing (MCB) project aims to increase the number of Certified Professional Coders (CPC), who will in turn educate aspiring coders and billers. This will result to an exponential increase of available talent pool for the HIM sector,” said Dr. Penny Lauchangco, HIMOAP vice president and chairman for Talent/Workforce Development.

Through its strong partnership with DOST-ICTO, HIMOAP organized the 3rd HIMOSC last November 6, 2012 at the InterContinental Hotel, Makati City. The event, themed “Taking Healthcare Outsourcing Services to New Heights” and was participated by industry leaders and key decision makers, has equipped HIM players on how to become more competitive and strategically position themselves in the global market, thereby positioning the Philippines as a global leader in HIM services.

“HIMOAP has reached its revenue and FTE goals for this year. But as they diligently work towards their 2016 target, we at DOST-ICTO will continue to support the needs of the Philippine healthcare outsourcing industry. We hope that our collective effort will make the Philippines the top destination for this sector,” said DOST-ICTO Executive Director Louis Napoleon Casambre.

About the Healthcare Information Management Outsourcing Association of the Philippines
The Healthcare Information Management Outsourcing Association of the Philippines (HIMOAP) formerly known as the Medical Transcription Industry Association of the Philippines, Inc. (MTIAPI) is a non-stock, non-profit industry organization recognized by the Philippine government and IT-BPO industry. The association was first registered as MTIAPI with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission in October 16, 2003 and renamed as HIMOAP in August 2010. HIMOAP prides itself in bringing together the Philippines’ most distinguished and active players in the healthcare outsourcing industry towards a common endeavor. The association serves the needs of the HIM service organizations, HIM education and training centers and vendors as it promotes the Philippines as the destination of choice for quality healthcare information management outsourcing services.