Hospital Payment Information Management Archives – February 1, 2003
February 1, 2003
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Linking coding and mortality rates helps convince physicians to change
A major reason its so difficult to change physician behavior where coding and documentation are concerned is that many doctors see hospital coding as separate from their own practice and experience. So the key is to find a way to tie physicians coding to their own outcomes. -
Chargemaster can be key job niche for HIM pros
As HIM professional needs evolve due to the changing health care industry and reimbursement issues, experts say the role of coders also must progress to more than a job that merely requires someone to assign a code. -
Hefty outlier payments may look like fraud
The federal investigation into alleged billing fraud and unnecessary surgeries at a Redding, CA, hospital has also shed new light on potential abuses of an unusual Medicare reimbursement mechanism designed to help hospitals that perform difficult procedures or care for very sick patients. -
EDs report success with service guarantees
Imagine promising that every patient who walks through the door of your emergency department (ED) will be seen in 15 minutes. Does this sound like an invitation for a public relations nightmare? -
Proactive registration leads to hospital’s award
When Southern Ohio Medical Center in Portsmouth received the Ohio Award for Excellence (OAE) in September 2002, indications were that it had a lot to do with the hospitals proactive registration and central scheduling department. -
JCAHO unveils major changes to survey process
The Oakbrook Terrace, IL-based Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) is significantly revamping its accreditation process to answer its critics and sharpen the focus of its accreditation process. -
DRG Coding Advisor: Look for nuances in these coding problem areas
Chargemasters need to be maintained on a quarterly basis, and coders should be given educational updates at least that often to keep up with the CPT coding changes and the development of new codes by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), experts advise.