Must-Have Resources For Accurate And Denial-Free Coding

In this ever-changing healthcare industry where new procedures and treatments are being discovered every day, and your coding manual is changing every year to reflect the latest methods of diagnoses and treatment, it is not easy to track all these huge number of changes. If looking up the complex coding manuals ensure a slick oncology coding is causing you stress, these helpful tools will practically choose the code for you. Here's what coding experts suggest for types of useful references that will meet your traditional, and newer, high-tech needs.

Choose a good medical dictionary

You cannot always go to your physician to seek clarification about medical terminology. When in confusion or when you simply want to learn the meaning of a term or know its pronunciation, switch to a dictionary and reduce your stress!

A number of medical dictionaries, these days, publish multimedia versions, and you can also download them in your mobile phone too for a quick and ready reference.

The dictionary can help you learn about the non-recognizable diagnoses that are difficult to locate in your manuals. You can also learn more about the terms and procedure from the detailed illustrations. An abbreviations dictionary can help you understand the abbreviations and acronyms that your physician so commonly uses in his documentation.

Always use the most current coding references

Never ever use any old manuals for CPT® codes lookup. CPT®, ICD-9-CM, and HCPCS manuals are updated every year, and a number of codes are deleted, added, or revised in them. If you don't update your manuals, you run the risk of facing denials due to inaccurate or outdated coding.

Remember that the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edits are the most authoritative source on what you can and cannot bill separately. You can either buy the entire NCCI publication or a specific portion you need for your practice. This indispensable resource can help you avoid bundling issues and ensure complete reimbursement.

Another useful book that you must have in your resource bank is a coder's reference. You can learn what the procedure codes mean, and the best part is that it is updated every year, so you can understand the meaning of the latest procedure codes.

Need More Help: Google

Internet is a powerful resource, and great a resource it can prove in helping you select the right code, it can also land you in trouble and make you choose a wrong code. It is important that you know the risks and benefits associated with the use of the Internet, and researching your codes well before submitting your claims can help you reduce the chances of errors.

You can also view your payers' policies, learn the latest updates, read healthcare news, and do a lot more on the Internet.

Keep Learning

There is no dearth of knowledge in this world, and you can never know enough. But you can still ace your coding knowledge by learning actively. A number of healthcare firms and institutes organize seminars, workshops and conferences regularly that can help you keep your coding and professional knowledge current.

Still confused about 2013 ophthalmology CPT codes? You can get every cent you deserve with Supercoder's Ophthalmology Coding Alert. Get reliable coding on CPT® codes for ophthalmology every month at the comfort of your own desk. CPT codes lookup couldn't be easier.

Why Choose a US Company for Medical Transcription

Medical transcription work is risky and error-free transcripts are necessary for proper patient treatment and care. There are hundreds of companies offering documentation solutions for healthcare providers. However, it is important that you outsource your requirements to a US based medical transcription company. There are many reasons why you should choose a US company as your outsourcing partner.

Advantages of a US Medical Transcription Company

Here are the top reasons why hospitals and medical practices choose a service provider in United States for their transcription work:

    Work done by expert professionals: Professional transcription companies in the US have a team of trained and experienced medical transcriptionists on the job. These experts are well-versed in medical terminologies and procedures and have excellent listening and English language skills. These qualities allow them to offer clear and accurate transcripts of dictations pertaining to patient histories and physical reports, initial evaluation, consultation notes, follow up notes and health reports, and more.

    Use of advanced technology: An established US based service provider would have the advantage of the latest transcription technology. Dictation options would include toll-free phone-in and digital recorder dictation. It would also offer secure modes of file transfer such as FTP and secure browser-based transfer with 256 bit AES encryption. The latest software such as Stedman's Medical Dictionary and the American Drug Index are used to ensure top-level transcript accuracy. Other features of the well-established technology platform would include transcription management software, electronic signatures, and feeds to Electronic Health Records (EHR).

    Quality assurance: Precision is crucial when it comes to medical transcripts. A reliable US based company can ensure medical reports that are up to 99% accurate. Every transcribed file is then passed through a stringent 3 level quality check by a professional team that includes proofreaders, editors and quality analysts.

    Promptness in service: Timely delivery of medical reports of vital importance in medical transcription. US based companies provide customized solutions and deliver the complete transcribed reports within customized turnaround time. With offshore centers in countries like India, they can take advantage of the time zone differences to provide transcripts for all medical specialties in custom turnaround time.

    Fully HIPAA compliant: Most professional medical transcription companies are fully HIPAA compliant. They strictly adhere to HIPAA guidelines when handling patient information. This ensures the security of confidential patient information.

    Status of pre-signed contract: A reliable medical transcription outsourcing company would not require you to sign a long-term yearly contract. This offers healthcare professionals a great deal of flexibility.

    Affordability: Finally, an established service provider can offer services at 30-40% lower than the existing market rates, ensuring great savings on your transcription costs.