Reader Question: New Coding Staff

Q Will most hospitals and outpatient facilities have to hire new coders? How many? Why?

Washington Subscriber

A With so much focus on compliance, APC preparedness and revenue protection, the coders role is expected to change. As that role evolves, the coders availability to assign codes will diminish while other responsibilities will expand.

In essence, a facility will have to consider hiring new coders or increasing the productivity of the ones they currently have to meet the increasing demands. The number of additional coders needed will depend on the current process in place to address the numerous challenges anticipated.

The expected shortage of certified coders will cause additional problems for the industry. Evaluating the manpower needs of your coding department is no easy task. The first item of business should be to look down the road at how you want your coding department to function 12 months from now. Then begin to move in that direction.
Facilities can take several actions to make coders more productive when APCs become effective:

1. Cross-Train Coders. All coders need to know more about general facility operations. Hospital coders should learn about physician coding, and physician coders should familiarize themselves with the facility side.

2. Hire Credentialed Coders. The government doesnt require certification, but some employers are getting picky about who they hire. Coders with credentials tend to be more interested and involved in their industry and do a better job of keeping up with the issues. Professional certifications include: certified professional coder (CPC), certified professional coderhospital (CPC-H), certified coding specialist (CCS), certified coding specialist physician (CCS-P), registered records administrator (RRA), and accredited records technician (ART).

3. Find Coders With A Broad Background in Healthcare Services. All coders should know medical terminology, and many even need a clinical background, depending on their specialty. Given the new emphasis on billing codes under APCs, a billing background also would help. Coders need to know where the money goes, and how it flows.

4. Get Coders Involved. Coders should be willing to get involved with the big picture, whether that means learning about how hospitals make their money, teaching physicians how to document their charts, identifying billing problems, or ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations. None of these tasks have been traditional coder responsibilities, but as the industry evolves, job descriptions change.


- Published on 2000-04-01