Coding > Coding
Coding or Billing...Confused
SnyderKristine:
Clients have now confused me. I have experience in Medical Billing processes. I know how to take care of claims submission. rejections, denials, AR follo up...etc..
But I can't decide what code the doctor should put for the treatement or interpret the chart.
Now when I offer medical billing services to a client, they ask me are you CPC certified?
What do they mean?
There are no certifications required for Medical Billing, knowledge is sufficient, if you do it well? Then why CPC?
Do all the Medical Billing Business owners offer coding services , do you guys hire a CPC certified person, or you take the exam yourself?
Please help
PMRNC:
--- Quote ---But I can't decide what code the doctor should put for the treatement or interpret the chart.
--- End quote ---
Unless you are a coder and your contract specified you will code, you do NOT put codes onto the encounter, the provider would be responsible for that.
YOU do NOT want to code unless 1) you are certified and 2) fully insured with E/O insurance.
--- Quote ---Now when I offer medical billing services to a client, they ask me are you CPC certified?
--- End quote ---
This is the Certified Procedural Coding certification offered by the AAPC and the ONLY association to give it out. Certification is not required however I've NEVER seen a provider hire a coder who is NOT certified.
--- Quote ---Do all the Medical Billing Business owners offer coding services , do you guys hire a CPC certified person, or you take the exam yourself?
--- End quote ---
I do not code, I have over 25 years in the health insurance industry and probably COULD code if I wanted to, but I don't. my clients are responsible for coding their own encounters before I get them. Some of my clients have a CPC on retainer or on staff. My mental health providers really don't need one. Medical billing and coding, though they are linked, are not the same. If a medical billing company has the experience and certification to code they can offer it, but it does increase the liability since the medical charts would need to move from the office.. (I make that a no no in my business. I DO NOT take any medical chart out of the office).
SnyderKristine:
I completely have the same feelings, and I am also scared to even try that.
If I choose to be CPC certified, that will cost me a lot: $300 exam+ $1500 course+ blah blah.. And the exam is not easy. Though I am a Biology Science student but this is too much study and time..
What do you think Linda?
Can I be straightforward and say that I won't do coding...?
PMRNC:
--- Quote ---Can I be straightforward and say that I won't do coding...?
--- End quote ---
Absolutely.. it's never cost me a client. If I come across one that wants a coder, that's pretty simple as I network with a ton of them.
You also have to take into account your insurance. Some will argue with me and tell you that you can get away with none.. however that would NOT be smart. E/O is essential in this line of business.. remember we are the second highest regulatory industry out there (second to banking) so NOT having insurance increases your risk. Even without doing coding I have an E/O policy, I still keep my liability low in a few different ways. One way is NO coding, the other way is to let my clients retain all access/rights to software/pm licenses. Just from those two things alone I'm able to decrease my liability by more than 40%
SnyderKristine:
--- Quote from: PMRNC on March 04, 2014, 03:02:35 PM ---
One way is NO coding, the other way is to let my clients retain all access/rights to software/pm licenses.
--- End quote ---
And this reminds of something a prospective client said: "He actually wanted me to purchase my own Practice Management Software, and then transfer his data to my PMS, and start billing"
1. Who will pay the cost? How much will it be?
2. How will the data get transferred?
3. And does it mean he is not using any PMS at the moment?
I think I will refrain from coding at this point of time.. If needed will you be able to refer a coder in NewYork ::)
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