Author Topic: Computer-assisted Coding  (Read 4460 times)

TxJFP

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Computer-assisted Coding
« on: September 22, 2014, 12:10:24 PM »
Hello All,

I am not sure this topic has been produced, however, I would like to read other's opinions about Computer-Assisted Coding.

I have been coding for Acute Care Facilities for 6.5 years now and, to me, I worry about CAC. Of course we hear no jobs will be dropped and that there will be an increase in coding jobs, but I still have my worries. Very typical for anyone that does not know what is really behind a closed door.

All in all it is the future for healthcare. I have a medical billing business too. Entrepreneur to Entrepreneur, what do you all think will happen to billing offices once physician offices implement this software? For the ones that have worked alongside billing for years, any motivating tips?

Look forward to hearing from you all!  :D

Jesse

PMRNC

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Re: Computer-assisted Coding
« Reply #1 on: September 22, 2014, 02:54:31 PM »
I DO believe the coders ONLY industry is going to come to and end or at least a slow crawl... JMHO.  I believe that having the coding experience and training is a great "ADD on" but I do believe that it will be a dying industry on it's own. Practice management and all that goes with it would be IMPOSSIBLE for any software assistance so with that I'd say to focus MORE on those services. If you happen to possess your coding credentials, they are not useless when added to other services.    JUST MY OPINION. I don't believe even these coding assistance software's can replace humans.. however marketability is another story.. getting physicians to understand that is going to be difficult. To be honest, my providers don't have the resources to hire JUST a coder in their practices.. I have ONE practice that has a CPC on staff but even she does other management tasks.
Linda Walker
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TxJFP

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Re: Computer-assisted Coding
« Reply #2 on: September 24, 2014, 12:45:50 AM »
That is what I am afraid of. I do have a passion towards coding and all that has been added to it while subcontracting for several facilities. However, CAC will have an impact that'll change a lot and most of the older coders are more content with the change rather than the ones that are barely putting in 5 - 10 years.

I feel it will lock in the current coders and prevent new upcoming coders to be hired on. Since it has been mentioned that one coder can now do the work of at least 2 other coders with CAC. Plus I have heard a couple of CEOs state they will save money on employment for coders and they sounded highly anticipated.

Moving along to practice management, there is a more variety of tasks to be done. I believe what you said about physicians fully trusting vendors and their software having the ability to do a human's job preventing the doctor to need a billing personnel group.

Why oh why so much change?!
Some change is great, but sometimes things go way too far.

Michele

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Re: Computer-assisted Coding
« Reply #3 on: September 24, 2014, 04:08:21 PM »
I have had to learn to embrace change, but it's not easy!  Sometimes I want to embrace it so hard I choke the life out of it.   :o
« Last Edit: September 24, 2014, 04:11:01 PM by Michele »
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Merry

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Re: Computer-assisted Coding
« Reply #4 on: September 25, 2014, 12:27:27 AM »
 Michele..I agree so whole heartedly. I think ICD-10 CHANGE that we will have to embrace is going to be much more difficult than people are thinking now. The dr who says..I'll just update my superbill (any source document)  and circle the appropriate code..That is not going to work. Superbills (source docs)  will need to be pages and pages.
With the frustration of EMRs today..and the slowing down of the practice because of all the required information..think of what is going to happen next Oct. With ICD-10, there is no way that the bookkeeper is going to be able to look at a medical record and code the encounter. Of course we know that it is done all the time now.  What we will see is inaccurate coding.lots of denials.
I think the business of denials..that will be very BIG. So coders..learn the process of billing. And allow me to introduce our terrific course:

http://www.medicalbillingstudycourse.com/reading-eobs-handling-denials-and-filing-appeals/ (copy and paste the link)



 
 

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Re: Computer-assisted Coding
« Reply #4 on: September 25, 2014, 12:27:27 AM »

PMRNC

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Re: Computer-assisted Coding
« Reply #5 on: September 25, 2014, 02:04:03 PM »
Quote
The dr who says..I'll just update my superbill (any source document)  and circle the appropriate code..That is not going to work. Superbills (source docs)  will need to be pages and pages.
With the frustration of EMRs today..and the slowing down of the practice because of all the required information..think of what is going to happen next Oct. With ICD-10, there is no way that the bookkeeper is going to be able to look at a medical record and code the encounter. Of course we know that it is done all the time now.  What we will see is inaccurate coding.lots of denials.
I think the business of denials..that will be very BIG. So coders..learn the process of billing. And allow me to introduce our terrific course:

I think superbills will be a bit larger with ICD-10 but I don't think it's going to be as big of a deal as people are making it in regards to billing, the provider doesn't need pages and pages of a superbill when they have chart documentation, the superbill really is just an extension/helpful aid for the physician, the coding should always and will still remain the same "from the chart documentation".  I'm sure there are some physicians who rely on the superbill and for the majority of practices it won't be as bad as people think. Anytime something new comes along most people freeze and then we all settle down and realize it's just another fork in the road.
Linda Walker
Practice Managers Resource & Networking Community
One Stop Resources, Education and Networking for Medical Billers
www.billerswebsite.com

Merry

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Re: Computer-assisted Coding
« Reply #6 on: September 25, 2014, 02:12:18 PM »
OK we agree to disagree right? I just used super bills as an example. There are many offices still using paper. What I am saying is ICD 10 is much more complex than untrained people realize. And as typical of many providers they will throw the responsibility onto untrained personnel. Haven't we seen that over the years?

Michele

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Re: Computer-assisted Coding
« Reply #7 on: September 26, 2014, 11:54:37 AM »

http://www.medicalbillingstudycourse.com/reading-eobs-handling-denials-and-filing-appeals/ (copy and paste the link)


You don't have to copy and paste.  It doesn't appear as a link when you're posting but it does once the post is up.   ;)
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Re: Computer-assisted Coding
« Reply #7 on: September 26, 2014, 11:54:37 AM »