FAQ

At Professional Data Management Group, Inc., we've done our best to create a Web site that anticipates and satisfies our customers' needs. With that goal in mind, we've compiled a list of frequently asked questions. If you do not find an answer to your question here, contact us at 508-949-2985 or rjolda@pdmg.com.

[Electronic Records Express]
[QUESTION] What is Electronic Records Express??
[ANSWER] The Social Security Administration Maintains the Electronic Records Express Web site as a secure means of  exchanging information with registered CE providers.   CE Providers can download CE packets which contain the client demographics, scheduling and medical information..   The CE provider can then upload and electronically sign their  CE report .  There is no cost for CE providers to use the SSA ERE Web Site .   The site is accessed via a web browser that has Javascript enabled.  

[[QUESTION] What are the potential problems with the SSA ERE Web site?
[ANSWER]  The SSA ERE Web site is straightforward. However, to retrieve your client information, you have to go through multiple screens with lots of clicking and then you have to either save the downloaded files or print them out.

 [QUESTION] What is the benefit of ERE Connect to the CE Provider?
[ANSWER] Because the ERE web site requires so much user intervention ( and clicking)our ERE Connect Service does all of this for you.  We pull down all of your information and re-package it for you for easy use.  We build your schedule and have your information ready at your fingertips.  Your information is electronic but you could print it out if you wish.  This saves lots of time for the provider and office staff.

[QUESTION] Why does PDMG, Inc. charge for their ERE Connect Service?
[ANSWER] PDMG, Inc. has invested considerable time and resources into developing software and services that save you time and money and allow you to do your job faster and with less headaches.  The time and money that the CE provider saves outweighs the cost of our ERE connect service for most users.

[QUESTION] Can PDMG, Inc. create automatic solutions to my individual needs?
[ANSWER] We at PDMG will strive to create automatic solutions to any problems as long as they serve the interests of a group of users -e.g. for needs of a specific state.  Individual customizations can be done for additional costs.

[QUESTION] How can PDMG, Inc. do this work for me?
[ANSWER] PDMG, Inc. can be your agent ( proxy secretary ) -  this is allowed and HIPAA  makes  provisions for this under their Trading Partners Agreements.   You still have full access to ERE express, you just allow us to automate your processes for you.

[QUESTION] Can I purchase this service as Software?

[ANSWER]  Because the SSA makes frequent changes to the ERE Express web site, it is much easier for us to maintain all changes here without having to send updates to all providers.

[QUESTION] I use a transcription service - how does this work with ERE Express?

[ANSWER] Yes, after you review your reports from your transcription service, you put them in the upload directory and send them to our secure server.  We can change them to a format that ERE Express will accept and upload them to the ERE web site.

[QUESTION] I want to generate my own reports - can I do that?

[ANSWER] Yes, you can create your own reports with any word processor or software that you like.  You then put the completed report in the upload directory to go to our secure server to be uploaded  to ERE Express web site.  Also, you can use our P/ACT Notes Generator to generate your notes.   P/ACT is set up with templates for Med or Psych CEs  and is point and click and can be run on any Windows PC.

[Question] Will I still be able to get access to my ERE Web pages if I use PDMG ERE Service?

[Answer] Yes, you will have full access and control of your ERE Express account and activity.  We do not add accounts or change accounts or modify accounts.  We simply access the account that you have set up with SSA and capture the information for you and re-package and move the information to your computer.

[Question] We have multiple providers in our group.  Can you customize the service to suit our needs?

[Answer]  Yes, we can customize the service according to the needs of your group. 

[Question] Do I have to be in my office to use your PDMG ERE Service?

[Answer] No, you can securely access PDMG ERE Connect Service from any location as long as you have internet connectivity.  You can use your computers in your office or a laptop.  You can connect a portable computer to our service with a Wireless Card modem that gives you internet access and do your work remotely.   If your information is  on your office PC and you want to work  from home, then you would need to have software to access your own office computer if your files reside there.

[Question]  What Operating System and Hardware do I need?

[Answer] Our software runs on any Windows operating system.  If you want to create your own electronic CE reports with our P/ACT software, you can do this on any desktop, mobile or small computer that runs Windows.   

[Question] Will your ERE Connect Service Run on my Mobile Phone Device?

[Answer] We can provide some information such as your schedule to your Mobile phone through Web services.  We are looking at making our P/ACT CE report generator available on larger devices running Windows Mobile 5 OS - however, the limited screen size tends to limit the productivity and efficiency for the CE provider.

[Question]  I want to use a small device and use ERE Connect Service and P/ACT CE Notes Generator.  I use multiple offices.  What is a potential solution for me?

[Answer]  You can use any notebook computer or Tablet PC.   If you have internet connectivity at your sites, you can use that connectivity and connect either through a network cable or wirelessly to the local wireless network.   If there is no internet connectivity at your sites, you can use a Wireless Phone Modem card and you will get good performance in most locations.   I have a Verizon wireless modem card for my tablet PC and the cost is about $60.00 per month - I have more monthly data capability per month than I will ever use.  Using this, I can be connected to P/ACT notes generator all day and do my CE reports.   If you want pocket size - and you still have excellent vision ( or tri-focals ) you can look at the Samsung Q 1 series. 

[Question] I am not a typist -do I need to type?

[Answer] No, you do not have to type - but, if you want to add personalization and flavor to your CE reports, you will want to add additional text.  Most of the work is done with templates and they are Point and click - with a mouse or a pen if you have a pen computer.   If you have a Tablet PC, the handwriting recognition is fairly good in the newer versions of XP and in Vista.   I have handwriting recognition but I find it much faster to simply type.

[Question]  If I use PDMG P/ACT notes, can I attach pictures to my reports?

[Answer]  Yes, I use a digital camera - or you could use your phone camera -  to capture photos of important things that will help the Case examiner achieve a better understanding of the anatomical issue that I am describing or to help them get a better picture than I could give them with words alone.  Additionally, I think that it helps them do a better job and makes it a little more pleasant for them since they have a few pictures to look at and not just words.  You would have to have the software and connectivity to download the pictures from your device and then you could put them into your CE report.

[Question] Sometimes the client gives me additional information that I wish to send with my report - how do I do this?

[Answer] With PDMG ERE Connect Service we give you a program that you can use to scan your reports and directly create a pdf file.  You would link this file to your report and it would be sent along with your report to the ERE Web site.

[Question] I am concerned about standardized data and reports created with a template.

[Answer] We share your concerns.  I have seen thousands of reports generated with templates -unfortunately, most of the information generated is standardized filler information - and the really useful information is  buried somewhere.  We look at this issue a little differently.  If we want to develop a set  of metrics that can be used across the population we have to begin to standardize our data.  Additionally, as CE providers, it is our job to modify the templates to make sure that we provide the best and most accurate data for each claimant.  That has been our focus.  I have had many reviewers tell me that they love my reports because all of the information is in a standard format and very easy to find.  Furthermore, they also look for the free text comments that I add because they often provide additional insight. 

Factoid ==> The SSA is becoming one of the largest medical data repositories in the world  - maybe not by choice but they are certainly getting ready for it and starting to build it into their design.  If you have ever searched free text to try to find some specific information you know how hard it is to thumb through page after page of information looking for something.   With structure to the data, searching is much faster and easier.  So, we should start thinking about helping them by providing some structure to our data.  I shall put up some information on SSA Data Repository in by blog which can be accessed from the home page.
 

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