Effects of Internet in the Field of Medical Coding -Avontix

Since the Internet is changing the game for every industry, it’s no surprise that medical coding and billing is now hugely dependent on the Internet. In fact, several changes in healthcare industry are majorly cornering the medical coders in very many ways. The internet is pretty much the only long-term solution.

To cite an example, every industry has moved from paper work to electronic records. Infact, it is a costly affair nowadays to go for printed material of any kind – both on environment and our pockets! Hence, the use of electronic documents has increased manifold, more so in medical coding after the advent of ICD-10.

After ICD-10-CM replaced ICD-9-CM, the codes have increased from 17,000 to approx 155,000 and include elaborate revisions including:

· Codes are more specific and they cover new conditions/diseases and procedures.

· The new system will ensure more efficient payment for services rendered.

· Easier evaluation of Medical outcomes/processes..

· The records will be very detailed.

· Coders/billers have to comply with HIPAA 5010

Keeping the above elaborate changes in mind, coders need to be provided with better coding tools to support the code selection process. Organizations that work on software tool building and code searching software created programs that will support the billers and coders.

· Let us look at a few benefits of such tools:

· Medical terminology tutorials and lookups.

· Very popular coding texts – now online!

· Governmental guidelines

· Guidance about compliance.

· Industry news updates through newsletters etc.

· Updates on code changes/current codes

Going by the huge galore of benefits, it makes sense to avail the tools available online in order to optimize the results and improve speed maximize your efforts.

That’s Hilarious! Funny Must-Read Medical Transcription Errors!

Doctors every now and then come across some very critical bloopers from medical transcriptionists. Some of these can be downright funny! It’s common for transcription errors to creep in for various reasons like the dictation might not be clear, too many medical terms stuffed in, or misunderstanding at the transcriptionist’s end. Medical transcriptionists vary in experience and skill and may not be well versed with some medical terms. Here is a compilation of some very funny transcription mistakes you could note to avoid being on the receiving end of the laughter!

·"Eyes and nose continue to be within normal limits" (I & O). ·"History of sick as hell disease" (sickle cell) ·"She was a bitch and grinned" (a bit chagrined). ·"The last day the patient took their meds was for beaver." (forever). ·“49 year old occasional male”(Caucasian male). ·“Borderline respectable pancreatic cancer”. (Resectable). ·“Patient is alert and orien…

Location isn’t a Matter for Coding and RCM -Avontix

The technological developments in the healthcare management industry have facilitated and increased the outsourcing of medical coding and RCM among many healthcare facilities. The healthcare facilities need not bother about from where the support for their RCM and medical coding jobs is coming from. What they need to think about is only if these service providers have the latest technology, training and subject expertise. These days most of the outsourcing companies are well equipped with high-speed internet connectivity, coding and RCM software with security features that make the importance of the location of the service provider negligible.
The lower reimbursement rates and diminishing margins are forcing the different healthcare facilities to think for ways to reduce costs. One of the best ways for hospitals and other facilities to minimize costs is outsourcing their medical coding jobs along with their revenue cycle management. The significant task for a hospital is to identify …

Healthcare Documentation – A Promising Career Option -Avontix

Picture courtesy: explorehealthcareers.org
With ever-changing legal and medical requirements, it is mandatory that all the procedures and processes performed by healthcare practitioners are recorded accurately not just for evidential purposes but for future references also. However, it is not possible for the physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to keep documenting each and every process performed by them in a written format. Hence, physicians take advantage of the technological advancements and record the procedures performed by them in audio files using an electronic device. Although these can serve as records, it is not easy to comprehend a physician’s voice file when the information is required. So, these voice files are transcribed into electronic documents and this process of transcribing is called medical transcription or healthcare documentation.
The voice files given by the physicians for healthcare documentation include their office visits, emergency room …

Search This Blog