Does anyone have 'standing orders' that billers and/or coders are able to change without providers permisson? Examples correct dx sequencing or codes related to age to correct? Any information you are able to share would be quit helpful.
-
If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ & read the forum rules. To view all forums, post or create a new thread, you must be an AAPC Member. If you are a member and have already registered for member area and forum access, you can log in by clicking here. If you've forgotten your username or password use our password reminder tool. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below..
Wiki Standing Orders for Billers and Coders
- Thread starter SHobbs
- Start date
This depends on your employer's policy.
Some companies will not allow anyone other than the provider to change.
Some companies will only allow certified coders to change.
Some companies will let anyone change.
When I was in a private practice, anyone in the billing department with the appropriate knowledge could change any code.
Now that I work for a large healthcare system, either the provider, or any certified coder may make changes.
My opinion is that unless your providers receive a fair amount of coding training and education, others with more skill in that area should be able to correct codes without provider's permission. In fact, in general, I don't believe providers should be coding. Let them focus on patient care, which is what they were trained to do. Let coders focus on guidelines and rules, which is what they were trained to do.
Some companies will not allow anyone other than the provider to change.
Some companies will only allow certified coders to change.
Some companies will let anyone change.
When I was in a private practice, anyone in the billing department with the appropriate knowledge could change any code.
Now that I work for a large healthcare system, either the provider, or any certified coder may make changes.
My opinion is that unless your providers receive a fair amount of coding training and education, others with more skill in that area should be able to correct codes without provider's permission. In fact, in general, I don't believe providers should be coding. Let them focus on patient care, which is what they were trained to do. Let coders focus on guidelines and rules, which is what they were trained to do.
Last edited:
Honestly, I make whatever changes are necessary for the coding to accurately reflect the documentation. I do not ask for permission - I'm matching the coding to what the provider has documented in the record.
(I've heard that some providers are touchy about having their codes changed, though I'd have a hard time working for one like that. My providers have amazing clinical expertise, but they aren't trained coders. Nor do they want to be - that's what they have me for.)
