Medical billers and coders are an inherent part of any health organization because they are responsible for managing and submitting insurance claim documents for reimbursement. It is no surprise that this job area has been observed as one of the fastest growing career choices in the healthcare industry by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Advantages of Obtaining Your Certification
Obtaining a medical coding certification has inherent advantages because it distinguishes an individual as competent, knowledgeable, and committed to quality healthcare through quality information.
There are a number of credentials available through the American Academy of Professional Coders that demonstrate proficiency in reviewing and assigning accurate medical codes for diagnoses and procedures in a physician office (CPC), a hospital outpatient facility (CPC-H), a payor environment (CPC-P), or specialty credentials, such as the Rheumatology Certified Professional Coder (CHRC).
Earning a coding certification represents a high level of achievement and demonstrates coding proficiency. The CRHC certification requires personal commitment and accountability because it includes an eight-hour review course and the passing of a rigorous exam. However, the rewards for earning a certification include improved earning potential and career advancement.
A survey done by the American Health Information Management Association showed that employers value credentials in healthcare.1 Several healthcare work settings were represented in the survey—such as hospitals and physician offices—and, overall, employers think favorably of industry credentials, with 83% of executive respondents and 80% of respondents overall reporting them to be “favorable” to “very favorable.”
Furthermore, employers feel that credentials are important for medical coding professionals and they “‘agree”’ to “‘strongly agree”’ that credentialed employees help reduce exposure to fraud and abuse (70 %), improve the delivery of quality healthcare (68 %), and require less training (68 %).The survey reported that 68% of employers indicated that they will hire a credentialed candidate over one who is not credentialed, and 53% preferred credentials when promoting their employees.
Get Certified in Chicago
Don’t miss the ACR Certified Rheumatology Coder Preconference Course and Exam November 4–5, 2011.To register, visit My ACR at www.rheumatology.org/annual or contact the ACR coding instructor Antanya Chung, CPC, CPC-I, CRHC, CCP at [email protected] for more information.
Having certified rheumatology coders on staff safeguards your practice from unnecessary audits.
Here are the top three reasons why the ACR Certified Rheumatology Coder Course and Exam is a must-attend session at this year’s ACR/AHRP Annual Scientific Meeting:
- Learn medical terminology and corresponding codes to ensure correct coding of rheumatology services and diagnoses;
- Develop an in-depth understanding of coding rules and regulations—including current issues regarding compliance and reimbursement; and
- Implement proficiency in claims processing for accurate coding of diagnoses and procedures.
For more on the importance of coding certification. Visit My ACR at www.rheumatology.org/annual to register for this course today and to become an expert in the field of rheumatology coding.
Contact Antanya Chung, CPC, CPC-I, CRHC, CCP, at (404) 633-3777 or [email protected].
Advantages of Hiring Certified Rheumatology Coders
Coders are instrumental in keeping your practice compliant by coding documentation accurately, properly reviewing medical records, and staying up to date with code changes.
The AHIMA survey reports that employers “agree” to “strongly agree” that credentialed employees help reduce exposure to fraud and abuse (70%), improve the delivery of quality healthcare (68%), and require less training (68%).
A certified rheumatology coder knows the correct application for CPT and ICD-9 diagnosis for rheumatologic services. This means they are more able to translate diagnostic and procedural phrases into numerical codes used for billing and reimbursement purposes by insurance companies, safeguarding your practice against unnecessary audits.
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services recently reported that the Medicare Fraud Strike Force operations in nine locations have charged more than 1,140 defendants who collectively have falsely billed the Medicare program for more than $2.9 billion since 2007. In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS Office of Inspector General, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
“Physicians are encouraged to hire certified coders in their facility to safeguard against errors or fraud,” states Antanya Chung, CPC, CPC-I, CRHC, CCP, ACR director practice management. She continues, “Certification shows qualification and with the current result of recoupments for incorrect billing of codes, rheumatologists cannot take the chance of hiring coders or billers that are not certified.”
The ACR places a concentrated focus on the importance of continuing education and certification on coding as a critical element in effective healthcare management in rheumatology practice. The ACR has two certified professional coders on staff to help members answer questions related to rheumatology coding and billing. ACR coders are also available to give coding and compliance presentations in your state. For more information and to schedule a presentation, contact the coding department at [email protected].
Additionally, the ACR has ICD-10 transition tools to help you implement the new code set, which goes into effect October 1, 2013. Visit www.rheumatology.org/practice for more information.
