Here’s a fact: The main causes of medical claim denials are medical coding errors. These human errors are very easy to make because new codes are routinely introduced. There was a dramatic increase in claim denials in 2015, because of the transition to new codes. Add to this the fact that in-house medical encoders also distracted by the many other functions they perform in the hospital or clinic, and it’s easy to see why so many mistakes are made. How can healthcare providers avoid medical coding errors? Below are some essential tips.
• Stay updated with the latest diagnosis codes and current procedures. Codes will probably continue to evolve in the future. Coders in the healthcare industry should always update their codebook and keep up with the changes. This way, they are always on the same page as insurance providers and clients.
• Do not use truncated codes. While speed is necessary, the coder's goal should be accuracy. There should not be any place for truncated codes. Physicians should also be careful in providing precise clinical documentation to help coders select the appropriate or specific diagnosis codes.
• Read the entire medical chart note. Some coders only read the header or the summary of the chart note before coding. This is not a good practice because the expected procedure may still change as the doctor orders more examinations or tests on the patient. It's always better to double check the chart note, too.
HCC medical coding errors are a waste of time and money. On their own, it is often very difficult for hospitals and medical practices to implement a streamlined process for HCC medical coding audits. The good news is that you can always outsource these functions to third-party providers that offer HCC medical coding services. They can dramatically improve your revenue cycle management with their efficiency and accuracy. To get the best quality service, choose a trusted company with a medical coding team that has AAPC certificated Coders.
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