No industry or profession is immune to the budget crunch. Unfortunately, many coding departments fall into a routine and neglect to assess their costs and look for innovative ways to save money.
Editor's note: In 2011 we're celebrating MRB's 25th birthday with special content each month. For October, we've put together a report on the latest quarterly benchmark survey findings, this time on ICD-10 implementation efforts. Just a few of the highlights from the report are included below.
Over the course of the past 30 years in the HIM field, I have observed much trial and error on the part of HIM managers who have been pioneers in the EHR journey.
With 46% of survey respondents anticipating revenue losses from the ICD-10 transition, it may appear illogical that only 3% of healthcare leaders say they are already prepared to make this transition. However, the reason behind the unpreparedness is quite understandable. With mounting mandates and competing priorities, healthcare leaders say they cannot free up the manpower or financial resources needed to get this initiative under way.
According to a survey on coder productivity published in the May edition of MRB, 83% of those with remote coding programs reported that coder productivity either remained the same or increased after a remote coding program was implemented at their facility. That's great news for those considering establishing a remote coding program. And there are many reasons to do so, both for your coding staff and for your hospital.
CMS has proposed to rescind the requirement for signatures on all lab requisitions, according to the "Medicare Program; Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule: Signature on Requisition" proposed rule published in the Federal Register June 30. The 2011 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, published last November, requires a physician's or nonphysician practitioner's (NPP) signature on lab requisitions for tests paid under the clinical lab fee schedule, regardless of whether there is a signed order. This is the opposite of prior CMS rulings that indicated signatures were not required on requisitions, although written and signed orders were required.
