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Medical Coding Tips

It is no secret that the medical field has become more cumbersome and more bureaucratic in recent years, and many medical providers are struggling to keep up with the changes. Coding medical bills correctly is absolutely essential to the profitability of your business, and it is vital that code. If you miscode even a single ICD-9 (International Statistical Classification of Diseases) line, you run the risk of having the entire claim denied, costing you valuable time and money.

  1. The Importance of Communication

    • If you use a medical coding service, it is important that the staff be available to you when you need them. Keeping the lines of communication open is an essential part of the medical coding business. It is important to address things like hours and availability when setting up a contract with a medical coding professional. Whether you choose a medical coding company or use the services of a freelance medical coder, it is important to be able to reach that coding professional when you need additional information about a particular claim.

    Use Your EOBs for Communication and Quality Assurance

    • The EOB, or Explanation of Benefits, is a key part of the health care industry, and it is important to use these forms properly. Every time a claim is coded and processed, an EOB should be sent to the patient. Sending an explanation of benefits every time a claim is processed accomplishes two distinct but very important goals. For one thing, an EOB keeps patients informed about the status of the claims that have been submitted on their behalf. In addition, an EOB alerts patients to problems with the claim, including miscoded claims and other problems. This can give you advance warning of any erroneous ICD-9 codes and alert you when claims may need to be resubmitted.

    Ongoing Education

    • If your practice does its medical coding in house, it is important to train every member of your staff on proper coding techniques. But it is not enough to simply train each incoming member of your staff. In order to make sure medical claims are accurate and insurance company payments are made on time, you will need to invest in ongoing training. Insurance regulations and government rules are always changing, and only ongoing training will help your staff keep up with those changes. The policies and procedures for training should be put down in writing, and it is important for every employee to understand and abide by these requirements.

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