Internet question for full time rving medical coders

[hemeek]

Hi all,

I am considering becoming a full-time RV and plan for work remote as CDI RN, which is a nurse that audits physician documentation much like a medical coder.

I am wondering how medical coders manage the security issues of handling patient information in a constantly changing environment.

How much data do medical coders use every month and how much does it cost? I am currently with Verizon and my partner has a unlimited grandfather plan with Verizon. I'm really sure what my options are at this point with the security issues in mind. Can I even use my Verizon plan as a hotspot or do I have to use satellite internet?

If I max out my cellular data, would I be able to use coffee shop Wi-Fi with a secure network or do healthcare companies not allow that?

I know this is a lot of questions, there is just a lot to figure out if this is something I can do in my line of work.

Thanks,
Hannah

[Belgique]

the bear II wrote:
Most of the ads I've seen for folks working with sensitive information remotely require that they have a land/hard line for internet access. Many of the ads indicate WiFi or Cell service is not acceptable.

My bride is a certified coder and this is what she's found too so we don't do it since we move a lot.

[Aridon]

If you don't need a phone payment plan any of the MVNO's like Cricket will work find and likely be a lot cheaper than post paid.

Working remotely you likely already use a VPN to access the sensitive information.

[JiminDenver]

I have been on the road since the first of the year and I will tell you that if you think that you can get the almighty Verizon and life will be good that you have another thing coming. Yes my Verizon gets a signal almost everywhere I have been, it isn't always strong enough to use or is congested enough that nothing loads. AT&T can have the same issues as both are very popular and at times Sprint and T-mobile are faster. I do use a Mobile booster and directional antenna to pull in signals while others get nothing.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Satellite internet is alive and well. Latency is still an issue.

[RVhiker]

As previously suggested, a cell phone booster will help with connection issues; an exterior high gain cell phone antenna paired with the booster will be the best combination. The combination won't work miracles, but will often turn an unusable signal into a usable signal.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

be careful about Verizon unlimited plans. Not sure about the grandfathered plan but the new "unlimited" plans I switched to reduced response time greatly after a small threshold. I switched back and pay the overages. (read the fine print). VPN is the way to go but will be expensive. As far as I know there are no more satellite internet providers for RV's. Here's some info on Verizon's new "unlimited" plan: Gets 10GB of 4G LTE for mobile hotpot and 3G thereafter unlimited.

[doxiemom11]

We have had verizon data service for 7 years full-time and have always had fast reliable service even out in the middle of a forest 24 miles from a small town and 40 miles for a sizeable town. Verizon does currently have an unlimited plan available with cost around $100 per month. Our experience has generally been east of the Mississippi river, so west of there may be a different story. You can check their data coverage maps online.

Don't know if it made a difference or not, but we always had a router and dongle, or jetpack device. We never used a phone as a hotspot.

[the_bear_II]

Visit this website www.rv-dreams.com this couple have researched different options for internet access while travelling.

Most of the ads I've seen for folks working with sensitive information remotely require that they have a land/hard line for internet access. Many of the ads indicate WiFi or Cell service is not acceptable. This would make it tough to travel and work unless you stay in RV parks where you can have the cable or local telephone company put in a line at your campsite.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

You will be limited to campground mostly near cities over 5-8,000 in size. While a lot of the country has cell phone coverage, a lot of that coverage isn't capable of fast internet speeds.

Doesn't really matter if you have Verizon or ATT, you are going to find no cell coverage in places that the coverage map says you should have coverage.

If your income depends on a cell link, look into getting a cell phone signal booster.

As far as data used, I suggest you download and install an app to measure your usage now. Even better, setup your computer now so that it uses the Verizon data plan and see how well it meets your needs

I do not count on WiFi from "free" sources like campgrounds, Starbucks, McDonalds. We have both Verizon and ATT hotspots. Many times we need to drive into a nearby town with our hot spots and computers to check e-mail, banking, etc. we always carry our hot spots.

[pianotuna]

Find an unlimited data plan, and set up a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

[darsben1]

While not a medical coder I was on call as an administrator at a hospital. All our connections where VPN. We had coders working from home and they had no problems. I would log in to our system and was able to accomplish what needed to be done with patient records. I would be surprised if the facility you go with does not do VPN which worked just fine on cellular data plan.
What will you use I do not know but you should be able to do it with your Verizon data plan

[2oldman]

You'd probably get more reliable answers asking people who already do this. I don't think fulltime RVing has much to do with it.