Wiki Coder/physician ratio with EHR

It depends if your EHR software automatically drops the codes to the claim form. If so, you can expect a decrease in numbers, but an increase in the skill set of the coder. You'll no longer be doing front-end diagnosis and E&M or diagnostic procedure coding, (at least after the bugs are worked out) but you'll still have to code out surgeries. You will have to be vigilant with your back-end audits to make sure the software is performing correctly. Coders need to become auditors, software analysts and compliance experts. I've lost 25% of my coding staff in the past 5 years, with an increase in providers of about 150%. But the earning ability of my current staff (with their advanced skillset) has more than doubled in that time.
 
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