Editor's note: Each year HCPro's Revenue Cycle Institute reports on the experience of providers related to the Recovery Audit Program. The article below is adapted from the 2011 Recovery Auditor Benchmarking Report, released in early 2012. The summary of last year's results is by Kimberly Anderwood Hoy, JD, CPC, director of Medicare and compliance at HCPro. Readers can download their complimentary copy of the full report at www.revenuecycleinstitute.com.
The additions and revisions to the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting in 2012 include some new information that coders should be aware of in preparation for ICD-10 implementation.
If healthcare organizations take a lesson from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee's (BCBST) $1.5 million settlement for its 2009 HIPAA breach, it's that they should wake up and pay attention to where their ePHI is contained and stored, says Ali Pabrai, MSEE, CISSP, CSCS.
Leaders there established multidisciplinary barrier reduction teams (BRT) in late 2009, which are designed to increase efficiency and improve communication at the organization. The teams give staff members a way to speak up about issues that may hinder patient care and the discharge process.
