EDs have a lot to handle. One in every three Americans will visit an ED each year, and among those are a number of populations that bring special challenges.
The policies that CMS publishes each year in the OPPS proposed rule don't always come as a surprise. Sometimes, CMS will announce its future intent in a previous rule in order to notify providers about data it is looking at or requesting comments on.
CMS released updated I/OCE specifications in January with several changes that could require providers to examine claims submitted early in 2015 that include comprehensive APCs (C-APC) to ensure proper payment.
Organizations often struggle to finalize charts after discharge so they can be coded in a timely manner, but this process can be completed efficiently with direction from HIM professionals and coordination between departments.
