Outsourcing radiology coding services assure an assortment of benefits for radiology departments, individual radiologists, imaging centers and hospitals. The most important benefit is that these services offer radiologists more time to concentrate on their core activities. Further, these services help them to competently reorganize their entire coding system, enhance the overall efficiency of their healthcare practice and reduce the workload of their staff for focus on more important tasks.

Multifarious Benefits

Several established medical coding companies in the U.S. offer their services at competitive prices. Entrusting your radiology coding jobs to these firms allows radiology practices to resolve their regular coding needs efficiently. Outsourcing radiology coding services ensure the following benefits:

• Reduces administrative responsibilities: Professional coding services significantly reduce the administrative responsibilities and workload of radiologists.

• Saves time and effort: These services save the precious time and effort that radiologists would otherwise need to complete their coding tasks. This allows them to focus better on providing timely diagnosis and treatment solutions for their patients.

• Reduces possibilities of claim denials: Assigning codes to different radiology procedures needs proper attention and a thorough knowledge of the entire coding system. Even a small error in the codes can lead to claim denials. Efficient coding helps in the submission of error-free medical bills and claims to eliminate the possibilities of claim denials or rejections.

• Ensures maximum reimbursement: Timely submission of accurate medical claims and bills maximizes reimbursements and enhances the revenue prospects of the medical practice.

• Reduces infrastructure overheads: By outsourcing their coding tasks, radiologists and medical facilities can save the expenses needed to maintain additional staff and infrastructure to perform in-house coding.

Excellent Coding Accuracy

To deliver high quality services, reputable companies are equipped with skilled AAPC certified coders and technicians with up-to-date knowledge on the coding rules. They ensure customized radiology coding solutions in minimum turnaround time. Their radiology coding services ensure:

• Completion of coding tasks within the client-specified TAT

• Excellent accuracy rates

• Compliance with HIPAA norms

• Real-time document summaries

• Stringent quality assurance at three levels

• Feedbacks and custom reports

• Coding status reports on daily, weekly and monthly basis

Well-organized radiology coding outsourcing services help radiology medical practices, individual practitioners and group practices to enhance their efficiency and revenue at the same time. If you plan to outsource your radiology medical coding tasks, it is important to locate an established company offering consistent solutions at affordable charges.

There is a need for more people in the medical billing and coding fields, so if you are looking for a career option, this might be a good thing to look into.

Although it is possible to get trained for this field on the job, it probably isn’t very easy to find this sort of position.

Most employers prefer that candidates are already trained through an accredited program. Candidates who are certified are even more in demand. Some reputable campus and online schools provide job placement for graduates of their courses with employers, so it’s worthwhile to look into one of these schools.

Medical Billing Vs Medical Coding

Medical insurance billing and coding are two separate fields, though many people combine them to make themselves even more in demand in the job market. Medical billing involves sending out the actual bills to insurance companies, patients, Medicare and Medicaid for the services that have been provided. Medical coders go through the records of the services that were performed for a patient and assign the appropriate ICD and CPT codes for use in billing. Each procedure has a separate code, and these professionals need to learn how to figure out which codes go with which procedures.

Types of Programs

There are a number of options for medical billing and coding courses. You can choose between certificate programs, associate’s degree programs, and bachelor’s degree programs. If you are thinking of getting certified, it is preferable to get at least an associate’s degree, as some certifications require at least this much education. Certificate programs will get you ready to start working in less than two years, which associate’s degree programs take two years and bachelor’s degree programs require four years to complete.

The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) accredit programs of study in this area, so you should look on the AHIMA website for a list of available accredited programs. Although there aren’t accredited programs in every state, there are a number of distance education options so that everyone has access to an accredited program, either online or in a classroom.

Medical Billing And Coding Certification Exam

Once you have completed your training, it is wise to seek certification from one of the professional organizations the have these available. One of the better known organizations for these certifications is AHIMA, though there are a number of others that you can look into as well. Employers know that in order to become certified you need to pass an exam, so if you are certified they know that you have a certain level of knowledge in your career field and they are more likely to hire you than someone that doesn’t have the certification.

Medical coding and billing is a field in healthcare industry, where an individual need not spend years learning in school and yet master his skills in it. You will find them in various healthcare settings such as: doctors’ dispensaries, private or public hospitals, dental practices, pharmacies, laboratories, etc. Playing a significant part in the healthcare industry you will also find Medical coding and billing specialists running their own business. Medical coders ensure exact analysis of patient diagnosis as well as about its procedures whereas medical billers ensure that insurance agencies, providers of workers’ compensation, Medicare and Medicaid timely receive patient reimbursement forms. You will find many of them skilled in both areas as medical coding and billing.

Medical coding

Also referred as medical analysis is a process where for medical procedures and diagnosis specify its universal codes in alphanumeric or numeric form. Medical coders refer to patient’s medical record available in department, lab technology reports as well as doctor’s report for determination of procedures and diagnosis to be coded. Coders track down details of injuries or diseases and procedures adopted for the treatment given to patients. Medical codes are used on reimbursement claim forms to be submitted to insurance agencies, on diagnostic request forms and Medicare and Medicaid for payment of claims. It is also used for internal facilities for healthcare service provider for the purpose of research as well as marketing.

Medical billing

Medical billing is a process handled by medical billing specialist who represents claims to health insurance agencies to confirm reimbursement to a patient for the services provided by a healthcare service provider. They also follow up and deal with problematic issues of patients on unpaid claims with insurance agencies, Medicare and Medicaid. Medical billing process remains same regardless of whether the insurance agency is privately owned or is owned by the government.

Qualifications of medical billing and coding specialist

In the healthcare industry the profession of medical coding and billing specialists is heavily in demand. Medical billing specialists with a Bachelor’s degree in health information management or equivalent are placed higher at management positions, though they may not possess substantial practical knowledge or experience. You will also find the medical coding and billing specialists who possess a relevant diploma course or a certificate.

HIPAA

It is essential for a medical billing specialist to have detail knowledge and understanding of HIPPA an abbreviation of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act for which they also receive training. The act protects patient health information privacy whether it is in spoken, written or in electronic form and can adversely affect many levels working in the healthcare industry.

This year you might face issues in reporting HCPCS code Q2048 or J9002. Although all the practices are well impacted with the coding and billing changes this year, for oncology and hematology, HCPCS code changes are of prime importance. Here is an overview to help you make the correct coding decisions:

• In 2012 there were significant changes for Doxil coding and this has also been in 2013 for HCPCS 2013. Amongst all the changes and updates, code J9001 has been deleted and added the temporary code Q2048. But in HCPCS 2013, Q2048 gets replaced by J9002. But in spite of this change, Q2049 will be used in 2013 for reporting imported Lipodox that will be used to lessen the shortage in Doxil.

• In 2013 another new HCPCS code is J9019 that is used for the asparaginase drug in chemotherapy and is sold as Erwinaze. Also the definition for J9020 has been specified by HCPCS that will now state that it is “not otherwise specified” asparaginase.

• 2013 HCPCS also adds a new specific code J9042 that is to be used for targeted antibody-drug conjugate Adcetris. Also, earlier outpatient facilities used to report this drug with the code C9287 but in 2013 it is no longer in use.

• Cancer codes for mitomycin have also undergone changes, which is essential for treating various kinds of cancer like colon, rectal, lung, stomach, and pancreatic cancers. This antineoplastic antibiotic prevents cancer cell from multiplying. So the code J9280 gets revised and the “injection” term is added to it. Ensure you use code J9280 to keep your coding error-free.

• Although Immune globulin codes have undergone minor changes, code J1561 gets a deletion of Gamunex from its description and in code J1569 the term intravenous gets removed from Gammagard Liquid code.

• Two human fibrinogen concentrate codes J1680 and Q2045 also get deleted and have been replaced by new code J7178.

• This year there is also a new J code namely intravenous ibuprofen which has been removed from being a C-code for temporary hospital-outpatient into a J code. J 1741 has been added and C9279 has been deleted.

• You also need to ensure that you watch the units for relistor. J 2212 is a new code that has been added to it which is mainly used for treating patients with opioid-induced constipation.

With 234 HCPCS changes this year, your practice is bound to face challenges and being not aware of all the changes and revisions will further add to your woes and result in loss of pay! A quick, informative and user-friendly resource is all you need to keep your practice on track.

Medical Coding is the process used through which the descriptions of medical diagnoses and procedures are converted into universal bits of numbers, known as “codes”. These codes are numeric and alphanumeric designations that depict the descriptions of injuries, diseases and other health care procedures used in the medical field.

Medical coding has emerged as an important field of medical sciences. It allows access to different healthcare records in terms of procedures as well as diagnoses, which can then be used for diverse purposes such as research, education and clinical care. The many uses of this field include:

1. Identification of symptoms to be evaluated, alerting other professionals in the healthcare field to different life threatening situations and allergies,

2. Comparing different facilities and also planning for new services, and

3. Helping out with administration function, which may include scheduling, staffing, adding services, reporting reimbursement information, and more.

Medical coding can be classified into four major types, which include Diagnostic codes, Procedural codes, Pharmaceutical codes and Topographical codes. Diagnostic codes are used for diseases, symptoms, disorders, medical signs as well as human response patterns. The procedural codes are used to identify the specific interventions by medical professionals. Pharmaceutical codes, on the other hand, are used for identification of medications. Lastly, topographical codes are used to indicate a specific body location.

The main use of medical coding is for insurance purposes, where it is used for financial reimbursement from insurance companies. It helps in identification of codes and thus has the potential of displaying the entire history of the patient and also the services that were performed on him/her. The physician’s note is converted into medical codes, which is then used by the insurance companies that make payment to the health care provider accordingly.

Medical Coding is a growing industry and has a huge potential. It has grown as an offshoot of the medical and technological industry as large databases and micro computers are used to manage all the coding work. It has also emerged as a lucrative professional field, which is popularly outsourced because of many different reasons. Medical coders are in high demand and need a specialized qualification in order to be able to work as a medical coder. Several third world countries have specialized outsourcing agencies for medical coding that provide services to companies abroad. That way, insurance companies and other firms requiring coding data benefit from the cost advantage of outsourcing, as they utilize cheaper medical coder services from these countries.

If you have come face to face with a transnasal turbinate surgery claim, see to it that you put your clinical judgment on high alert considering the diversity of anatomic sites, surgical techniques, and types of instrumentation involved in this type of service.

Here are three FAQs to help master your turbinate surgery coding skills:

Should 30130 and 30140 go in tandem?

Imagine the documentation states that the doctor entered or excised mucosa and subsequently preserved it. This indicates to you that you should use 30140 to report this service. But then simply reporting that the turbinate was excised is most likely not enough documentation for this code. Do not forget to bill 30130 (Excision inferior turbinate, partial or complete, any method) if there is no evidence of the preservation of the mucosa and the op note just indicates that the inferior turbinate was excised or resected.

You shouldn’t bill 30140 with 30130 – you’d bill one or other for a single side. But then if a submucousal resection (preservation of the mucosa) is performed on one side and a straight excision is performed on the other side (no preservation of mucosa), you would code 30140-RT and 30130-59-LT, for instance. The RT and LT would represent which side each procedure was carried out.

Facts: Normally, you’d code 30130 or 30140 separately with septoplasty or a functional endoscopic sinus surgery is carried out along with an inferior turbinate removal, either excision (30130) or submucous resection (30140), preserving the mucosa.

CPT 31240 describes the removal of a middle turbinate endoscopically. You’d code this when the concha bullosa is removed during endoscopic sinus surgery. CPTs 30130 and 30140 shouldn’t be used if the turbinates excised non-endoscopically were middle turbinates. If the doctor removed the middle turbinates through excision or resection, as in a middle turbinectomy and septoplasty, you’d use the unlisted nasal code for the middle turbinectomy, 30999.

Important: You should always take 30130 and 30140, along with 30930 and 31240 as unilateral codes. This means that you add the modifier 50 if the doctor carried out the procedure bilaterally. CPT 30140 is “modifier 50-allowed.

How much can we get from uni turbinate claims?

You should note the different RVUs that unilateral turbinate codes carry so you can have an idea how much you’d be paid.

Remember that when the turbinate procedure is part of a multiple procedure surgery, it’ll be divided in half when adjusted for the multiple-surgery reimbursement.

Does inferior and middle turbinates point to the same thing?

While billing 30130 or 30140 (inferior turbinates), the payer should not confuse your billing for it with the middle turbinates. Since year 2006, 30130’s definition has been changed from “any turbinate” to “inferior turbinate.” This was done since so many payers denied 30130 and 30140 when coded for inferior turbinates and endoscopic sinus surgeries thinking that the resection was performed on the middle turbinates which are considered access to the sinuses. By changing the wording and definition of the codes, there can be no question by the payer as to whether the procedure was carried out on the inferior turbinates.

If you’re still puzzled, consult a good one-stop medical coding guide like Supercoder.

At one time I implemented FxCop frequently to keep me in line and guarantee my projects satisfy C# coding criteria. Alas, I drifted from FxCop within the last year or two (I believe on account of laziness on my part). During that time, I have followed a number of coding standards all my own (many of which I’m not too satisfied with).

Recently, a colleague reintroduced me to FxCop (now called Code Analysis) and introduced me to StyleCop – and in between the two of those tools I could not be more happy. With those 2 whipping me in line I can actually say that my code looks similar to the code from the remainder of my team and vice versa. The aim is usually to have coding standards adhered to, but enforcing these standards is difficult to do with a Word file. Every team I’ve been on has a file for C# coding requirements, but if there is no method to assimilate that document with VS.NET or if the team does not take on regular code reviews you are going to have a very tough time enforcing these standards. Having the right tools included into Visual Studio.NET to always remind programmers whether their C# is meeting Microsoft’s rules is massive from not just a “we are a consistent team” standpoint, but for self-gratification as well. Similar to executing unit tests and having all green check marks, there is gratification in running FxCop and StyleCop and seeing them both come back with 0 (zero) alerts.

For entertainment, I suggest choosing one of your existing projects and running both tools. Go over each of the alerts (regardless how minor they appear) and make the essential modifications. When you’re done, review your work and ask yourself if you feel better about what you’ve changed. For me personally, incorporating XML commenting to every method and property just how StyleCop enforces appeared somewhat unnecessary, but it had a major impact on the readability of my code base for other team members. The hardest part about adoption of the tools is getting your coworkers to understand the motives for sticking to the process. Ultimately, they will be more happy when everyone has has used enforceable standards.

Mastering C# is not just about learning Object-Oriented concepts and syntax – it’s also about standards and being a valued team member. A high-level of C# coding expectations will bring you many steps closer to your team when establishing excellent software. In between C# coding guidelines and quality control with unit testing your team will have tidy, trusted code that they’ll rely upon for the foreseeable future.

FxCop is built-into Visual Studio.NET 2010 nowadays referred to as Code Analysis. Simply be certain to activate code analysis within the project properties window of your projects. StyleCop is found at http://stylecop.codeplex.com/ and it is definitely worth the cost (free).

Transponder keys are an important aspect of a vehicle and have become very popular over the last few years because they prevent car theft. There are several electronic or computer coded chips utilized in the manufacture of transponder key blanks that are programmable for lost or for cutting spare keys.

You receive these coded keys when you purchase a car. Basically transponder keys are considered to be high security keys that will only work in your car’s ignition system using a radio transmission waves. The built-in transmission chip inside the transponder key allows the vehicle to star automatically.

Spare key is duplicated from another key but it still needs to be programmed in order for the car or SUV to recognize it. A key blank will not start a car even if it has not been programmed. Local Chicago locksmiths have the spare transponder keys or they know how to unlock your vehicle or start the engine with duplication. You don’t have to wait for the dealer to open up in order to get your keys.

Transponder key blanks are used to match and then laser cut with specific biting to match your car’s ignition switch. Locksmiths usually keep these blank keys in stock at all times so they can be cut. If you need a spare key there are other ways to get it. You can use a laser cut key that is made by creating a dimple like surface without actually using a blade.

The keys are safe because they have a programmed microchip inside that is coded as per the vehicle’s ignition code while serial number in the key chip is unique so it cannot be duplicated. When you enter the transponder key code it will validates the current chip code. If the numbers do not match, ignition will seize and your car will not start. Similarly, high security locks and safety vaults use similarly programmed keys to safeguard important documents and items. Just in case, you require spare keys or get the lock repaired, Chicago locksmiths are proficient in their multi faceted services.

Locksmiths use state of the art high quality expensive machinery in order to cut the keys correctly. Reputed and experienced Chicago locksmiths can take away the worry because if you just get it done anywhere one simple flaw and the key will not work. Most Chicago locksmith can create spare high security keys, laser keys, residential and security keys as well. They can also extract a key that has become stuck or broken off in the ignition.

If you leave your car keys inside your vehicle or get locked out, you need to have the number of a locksmith close by. A Chicago locksmith can do the following:

• Program the new transponder key
• Read the key number in the memory located in the immobilizer
• They can provide codes for a variety of different model cars
• Correctly identify the immobilizer system on a vehicle
• Cancel stolen transponder coded key so your vehicle cannot be broken into.

When you buy a car that is used, make sure that you check the original keys to make sure that it is the right one to your vehicle. Though you can always go to your car dealer, it is cheaper and faster to get your new key programmed by a licensed local locksmith.

Emergency service locksmith in Chicago should be licensed bonded and insured by the state laws so they can provide the right service wherever you are in Chicago, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Ever wonder why sometimes when you get reimbursed for a claim, the insurance company has “changed the code to a more appropriate code for payment”? You submitted the claim as a 99214 but they paid you for a 99213 or even worse, a 99212. This practice is called downcoding.

Do you have to accept it? Well in some cases you do. A lot will depend on the contract that you have with the insurance carrier. Some contracts will only allow providers to bill certain cpt codes. In that case, they can change a billed code to one of the allowed codes. Or the contract may specify that you can only bill a certain number, or percentage of claims at the higher codes.

But sometimes an insurance carrier will just downcode your claim and it is not due to contract specifications. In that case you can appeal it. We recently had a claim that the insurance carrier downcoded a 99214 to a 99213 and told us that they only allow a provider to bill a 99214 every 6 weeks for a patient. That is ludicrous. How can that guideline apply to any patient?

Sometimes we just have to remind the insurance carriers that the doctors are the ones who determine the patient’s needs. In this case we sent in office notes and a letter advising them that we were appealing the processing of the claim. The doctor had met the requirements to justify the billing of a 99214 and their “guidelines” were inappropriate. We received payment for the difference about 10 days later.

So if you are having problems with your claims being downcoded, and they are not due to contract specifications, you should appeal. Do not just accept what the insurance carrier does. That is what they are counting on. Just think of how much money they save on the providers that do not do anything about it.

Copyright 2008 – Michele Redmond

Thinking like a coding manager can greatly improve your chances of landing that first medical coding job. Most medical coders (especially those on the job for the first time) work closely with a coding manager. This manager is responsible for making the process of coding and billing go as smoothly as possible. By understanding what a coding manager does, what responsibilities they have and most importantly, how you can make their job a lot easier, you’ll have a distinct advantage over other coders vying for the same job.

A coding manager is the link between their coders and the client, be it a physician or physician’s practice, hospital or other healthcare employer. It’s their job to make sure patient encounters are coded quickly and accurately and remain compliant. When things break down or mistakes are made, it’s usually the coding manager that gets the complaint phone call or email. It’s your job to do what you can to keep those calls and emails to a minimum! Here’s how:

Remember that coding is essentially about getting paid. Coding is part of the process that makes sure everyone is compensated for their efforts. Many new coders don’t quite understand this and it shows in their work. Those phone calls and emails the coding manager gets from the client are often about charges being billed to the wrong department or physician, errors in the date of the procedure or a service not being coded or coded twice. These types of errors can be considered “clerical” errors rather than coding errors. It’s very important to choose and apply the proper code(s) but don’t focus so much on it that you make such basic errors.

Make sure you have a working understanding of medical claims processing. If you know what a claim form looks like and what path it takes, it will give you a better understanding about what part you play in the process. Make sure you know how to keep things moving and keep claim denials and compliance issues to a minimum. Make this apparent on your resumes, cover letters and during any interview.

Be as self-sufficient as possible. Coding managers are almost always experienced coders and will be able to answer many of your questions but they’re probably too busy to hold your hand. During that job interview, give the impression that you know where to find answers and how to find them quickly. But also let them know that you are not afraid to ask the really important questions – the kind that save time, money and improve accuracy.

Have some understanding of the industry. Most coding managers have been around a while and have a good idea of how the healthcare system works, even beyond coding. Make sure you know what HIPAA is all about and how it affects your work. Also learn a bit about LCD (Local Coverage Determinations) and CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services). This knowledge will impress the manager interviewing you that you know that coding is about more than just numbers.

Thinking like a medical coding manager may very well be the best way to land that first medical coding job.