Review of HIMAP (Healthcare Information Management Association of the Philippines)

What is the Healthcare Information Management Association of the Philippines (HIMAP)?

The Healthcare Information Management Association of the Philippines (HIMAP) is the industry body that represents the country’s healthcare information management services sector.

• HIMAP voices the needs of firms in healthcare information management.
• It promotes the Philippines as a top destination for this work.
• It runs events, sets standards, and supports its members.

The culture of care runs deep in the Filipino people. So much so that the economy gains from it. Filipinos excel in healthcare around the world. The country also stays a top choice for Healthcare Information Management Services (HIMS).

HIMS is one of the country’s strongest and biggest job creators. It sits within the information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) industry. In fact, it employs more than 120,000 full-time workers. They manage and process healthcare data every day.

These jobs cover analytics, fraud management, and claims work. The results serve clinics, doctors’ offices, hospitals, and insurers. So the sector touches nearly every part of healthcare. To see how it fits the wider field, review this look at healthcare outsourcing.

The Healthcare Information Management Association of the Philippines, or HIMAP, is a collective body. It voices the concerns of this growing IT-BPM sector. It also addresses the sector’s needs.

About HIMAP

The Healthcare Information Management Association of the Philippines represents the local HIMS sector in the global market. It also brands and markets the Philippines as a top outsourcing destination for this work.

To reach this goal, HIMAP backs many plans and projects. These aim to build best practices in people, technology, and processes. So the whole sector can grow stronger.

HIMAP holds its members to the highest global standards. It also helps them reach top professional levels. As a result, the group believes it can add to the country’s economic growth. That growth is a key part of overall BPO-driven Philippine economic growth.

Looking back on HIMAP’s history

In fact, HIMAP has changed a lot over the years, especially its name. It first registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 16, 2003. Back then, it was the Medical Transcription Industry Association of the Philippines, Inc. (MTIAPI).

During this period, MTIAPI brought together active players in the healthcare information management documentation outsourcing industry. It united them under a common goal. That goal was to serve HIMS organizations, training centers, and vendors. Many of these firms trace their roots to medical transcription services.

Still, the industry grew fast. So in August 2010, MTIAPI became the Healthcare Information Management Outsourcing Association of the Philippines (HIMOAP). Later, the group dropped the word “outsourcing” from its name. Finally, it became the Healthcare Information Management Association of the Philippines.

HIMAP programs, events, and projects

HIMAP hosts many events for the sector. These serve HIMS centers, training providers, and vendors. They include the following:

Healthcare Information Management Services Conference (HIMSCON)

Every year, HIMAP holds the Healthcare Information Management Services Conference (HIMSCON). It gathers HIMS centers, training groups, vendors, and the wider business community.

During the event, speakers discuss current healthcare trends and solutions. They also explore how new tools disrupt the industry. As firms adopt healthcare data analytics, these talks grow more valuable.

HIMSCON features talks from domain leaders and experts. It also hosts panel talks with top executives and an exhibit of vendors. Still, it makes time to review the year’s wins. So it examines what shapes the country’s standing as a leading HIMS destination.

Quarterly General Membership Meeting

HIMSCON draws a wide crowd. However, the quarterly general membership meeting is for members only.

Meanwhile, the meeting inducts new members and covers key issues. For example, it looks at the future of office space in Manila. It also plans major group projects. These include the benefits and issues tied to the country’s Next Wave Cities.

How to join HIMAP

First, fill out the application form on the HIMAP website. Then submit it with your SEC registration or DTI certificate. HIMAP also asks for your business profile, board of directors, and annual revenue. Other details may be needed too.

Also, there are three membership types in HIMAP.

General membership

This type is open to any registered firm. That includes a corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. The firm must work in healthcare information management documentation.

Associate membership

Meanwhile, associate membership fits firms in HIM training. Again, this covers any registered corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. It also includes schools that offer HIM-related transcription courses.

Affiliate membership

Lastly, affiliate membership has two subtypes:

• Individual membership for people employed by general-membership firms
• Corporate membership for vendors that supply the medical transcription industry.

A bright future for the HIMAP industry

Demand for healthcare outsourcing has grown sharply in recent years. Much of that came from a spike in healthcare demand. So the sector kept expanding through a busy period.

The IT-BPM Roadmap 2016-2022 has since wrapped up. So the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) built an updated plan for 2022 to 2028.

According to news reports, the updated roadmap weighs new policy and strategy. Among the ideas are longer-term work setups and the government support they need. With strong demand for remote work, IBPAP has signaled that BPOs will not return to the old model.

The healthcare information management sector also has clear goals. It aims to win a larger share of the Australian market. This is because the sector has proven it can handle high-value work. Efficient healthcare claims outsourcing is one reason clients trust it with complex tasks.

HIMAP keeps its members ready for change. It shares best practices and offers professional support. So it helps members respond to shifting industry needs. As a result, the group stays on track to reach its goals.

Frequently asked questions

What does HIMAP stand for?

HIMAP stands for the Healthcare Information Management Association of the Philippines. It represents the country’s HIMS sector. So it speaks for firms in healthcare information management.

What does the HIMS sector do?

First, HIMS teams manage and process healthcare data. Their work covers analytics, fraud management, and claims. So the results serve clinics, hospitals, and insurers.

How do I join HIMAP?

First, fill out the form on the HIMAP website. Next, submit your SEC or DTI documents. Then add your business profile and other details.

What are the HIMAP membership types?

HIMAP has general, associate, and affiliate membership. General fits documentation firms, while associate fits training providers. Affiliate covers individuals and vendors.

What is HIMSCON?

HIMSCON is HIMAP’s yearly conference. It gathers HIMS centers, vendors, and experts. So it drives learning and networking across the sector.

Key takeaways

• HIMAP represents the Philippine healthcare information management services sector.
• The HIMS sector employs more than 120,000 full-time workers.
• HIMAP runs HIMSCON and quarterly meetings to support members.
• It offers general, associate, and affiliate membership types.
• The sector aims to grow its share of high-value global work.