iATROS Blog

Five Ways to Better Florida Medical Coding Compliance for Your Surgery Center

Here at iATROS Healthcare Solutions, we're constantly asked for advice on improving medical coding compliance in Florida. Medical coding has undergone massive changes in the past few years. ICD-10 alone increased the number of diagnosis codes from 13,000 to 68,000 and the number of procedure codes from 11,000 to 87,000, making an already tough job even tougher. Here are five top ways to improve your surgery center's medical coding compliance.

1. Keep detailed operative notes. Include descriptive keywords, measurements and counts. For instance, many surgeons miss out on compensation earned because they'll list, for instance, removal of two colon polyps, failing to note that the second polyp was removed via a different method from a different location. Removal of that second polyp can be billed as a second procedure.

1. Hire or outsource to experienced coders. Those who have been doing medical coding for a significant amount of time have a better understanding of the subtle difference between certain codes and modifiers. Although schools are churning out new coders in record numbers willing to work for less money, an experienced coder, whether in-house, freelance or via a medical coding provider like iAtros, will be well worth the investment and could help save you from being charged tens of thousands of dollars for coding compliance mistakes.

1. Insist upon open communication between physicians and coders. Operative notes often lack certain needed details or can simply be confusing. Many centers coders schedule weekly appointments to review operative notes together, making doubly sure that no mistakes, omissions or opportunities for compensation are missed.

1. Keep your staff up-to-date on medical coding and compliance changes. Join medical societies and associations, subscribe to coding newsletters and read medical publications that include information on coding compliance issues.

1. Hire an outside medical coding compliance consultant. In Florida, medical coding and compliance is particularly critical, considering the higher-than-average number of Medicaid enrollees statewide. iAtros Healthcare Solutions boasts a team of highly experienced medical coding and compliance specialists. We keep up-to-the-minute on all industry changes and trends. Let us handle the headache of medical coding and /or coding compliance issues while you and your staff concentrate on treating patients.

Call iAtrost Healthcare Solutions at 1-877-900-6763 to discuss your Florida medical coding compliance needs today.