So, You Think Your ICD 10 Diagnosis Coding Is On Point? You May Need A Back-Up Plan Soon.
Kenyon HomeCare Consulting • March 3, 2021
Right now, you may have a great system in place for ICD 10 coding. Whether in-house or outsourced, it may currently run like a well-oiled machine. Today, we want to talk about about what you do if tomorrow, your system implodes. While awful to think about, it is important to know your back-up plan and have it in place.
Why You Need A Plan In Place Today:
Well, we have all seen when a small office has multiple people out at the same time. You get the call that a nurse just went to surgery unexpectedly and is going to be off for the next 6 weeks. Meanwhile, a billing person is on 3 month family leave after having a child last week. We all know that one missing cog in the well-oiled machine can change everything. It is no different in the world of ICD 10 coding. I am reminded of Dave Ramsey stating everyone needs an emergency fund/rainy day fund. Then, assuring us all that it will rain. It absolutely will! PDGM has forced agencies to be efficient in turnover from the clinical to billing processes. And let’s face it, the no pay RAP hurts. If something happens with coding operations tomorrow, then what do you have planned to do about it today?
Back-Up ICD Coding Options:
If you already use an outsource to complete your coding, then you may not see it as an issue. However, what if your designated coder is not available or something changes with that company’s ability to adequately provide services? Here are some things to consider when looking for a back-up provider:
Turnover Time: Coding companies really need to provide you data within a 24-48 hour window.
Reporting: Does the company provide valuable information to you about individual clinician competencies? Do you require any additional data? You may be paying for Oasis review, so do you receive competency data on the clinicians filling out the assessment tool? If you find that a clinician has 95% accuracy in completion of the tool, then it isn’t necessary to pay for his/her Oasis tools to be reviewed. Conversely, if you have someone who struggles, do you have the proper data to address ongoing coaching with that clinician?
Coder Dedicated To Your Agency: Your clinicians need a point person. It becomes difficult to establish rapport with clinicians if they never interact with the same coder.
Accuracy: This one is huge. Not all coding companies are created alike. If you are in the market for a back-up coding company, ask them to code 5 of your charts for free. Compare those findings to that of your current provider. You may uncover some issues in your current system or a need to look at a different company for back-up.
Ability To Handle Surge: You know your average range of admissions, recerts, and discharges. What do typical surges look like at your agency? Make sure your coding provider can accommodate it.
Let Us Help You Get A System In Place:
Kenyon Homecare Consulting can assist with every step of the coding process including Oasis review up to review and completion of the 485s. Call us today at 206-721-5091 or contact us online to see how we can help you secure your plan for ICD 10 coding. We will provide 5 free recodes to help determine accuracy of your current system or become part of your back-up plan.a different source.
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