So the big question is, “How do I mitigate that drop in productivity?”
You could hire an outsourcing company to provide coders through the transition. If you choose this option, go ahead and secure your contract now. Coding companies also expect an increase in work, and therefore demand, over the next two years. Their best resources are already getting assigned.
But what about your software? Here is tip #3 of five in our series to improve coder productivity and accuracy. You’ll see immediate results while also preparing for your long-term needs!
Tip #3: Evaluate Computer-Assisted Coding
Also, now is the time to evaluate computer-assisted coding (CAC). Just like having an Apple iPhone® versus a traditional cell phone, giving your coders the latest software makes complete sense. After seeing these systems in action, the only question you’ll have is, “Why didn’t I do this earlier?”
Conduct a cost/benefit analysis and present CAC to your ICD-10 team and CFO. While looking at these systems, be sure to budget for tight EHR and encoder integration. There are often inefficient interfaces between clinical and financial systems that may impede coder productivity.
Does anyone have comments, questions or tips they would like to share on this topic? Your feedback is welcome!