There was no intention to sound angry, so I apologize if that's how it came off. I was merely trying to show how serious problems like this can be, particularly regarding the fact that just "knowing" (for lack of a more accurate word) can land you in hot water. It's a BIG deal, even if it seems it might not; if you're told to do billing like this and you comply simply to abide by the directions to "just do it", it can still come back on you. There'd be no leg to stand on if you argue that you knew it was wrong but you did it anyway because you were told to, if that makes sense.
The information in the post is a direct quote from AAPC, so I can't speak to how they worded it. I was trying to make the point that following direction you know is wrong can have significant costs and that ultimately a decision(s) would have to be made such as quitting the job, refusing to blindly bill and explaining the reasons to a manager or compliance person. Personally I'd try discussing it with someone higher up on the "food chain" and the compliance person with the hopes of having it resolved within the company. I love my job and because I'm a state employee at my facility, I'd never want to quit (for obvious reasons). If I got push-back, certainly I'd be left with no choice but reporting the billing practice to the appropriate state and government agencies. If the poster wanted to keep the job, the anti-retaliation rule would allow the job to be maintained, would resolve the questionable billing problems, and basically take care of the problem(s). I would doubt very highly that the poster's company/business would want to escalate it to that point.
I did check into what
MAY happen to a person's certification and this is the answer I got from AAPC:
[ME] For example, if a person with a CPC knowingly billed charges without verifying against the medical record (did not independently review the record) or billed charges before the documentation had been completed, finalized, and signed off on. Could this lead to some sort of probation or revocation of their CPC certification?
[AAPC Rep] That would be violating the code of ethics. So yes, it could potentially revoke their certification.
[AAPC Rep] Do you want the e-mail to file a complaint regarding that?
[ME] Is there a link for the code of ethics?
[AAPC Rep] Let me get it for you!
[AAPC Rep]
https://www.aapc.com/aboutus/code-of-ethics.aspx
I most definitely agree about not feeling good about what the poster is being asked to do. I also totally agree keeping documentation of the issue. Emails most certainly; but I always document dates, times, and the content of any discussions I have and with whom I have them. That being said, I'd suggest perhaps keeping such a log in a personal notebook or someplace other than on the company's computer (obviously with no patient specific information or otherwise).
Again, I apologize if I came off as negative. I just would hate to see someone stuck in a bad (and unfair) situation.