Transcriptionist to Coder Program

Transcription

1 Transcriptionist to Coder Program Presented by: Pamela Haney, MS, RHIA, CCS, CPC-H Director of Coding Services AHIMA Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Mary Beth York CCS, CCS-P Senior Associate, Barry Libman Inc. AHIMA Approved ICD-10 Trainer

2 What is ICD-10?

3 Actual Quotes from Providers: A finance director stated: Can t we just continue to use ICD-9 codes beyond 10/1/14 and just pay a fine? A VP on staffing and productivity: We are not hiring additional coders or using contract coders. The coders will just have to code faster. A PFS director on conversion to ICD-10: This will not impact us at all and I don t know what the big deal is. We do conversions all the time and this is no different.

4 Changing Healthcare Environment Increasing use of EHR Decrease in need for dictation/transcription Lack of highly skilled credentialed hospital coders ICD-10 implementation

5 Developing Your Own Coders Identify key staff Design program Create incentives Program roll-out Training program Certification Internship

6 Identification of Key Staff Screening process Referral from supervisor Personal interview Commitment time and money

7 Careful Selection of Participants Currently employed transcriptionists Limited to 12 participants Knowledge of Medical Terminology Patho-physiology Anatomy and Physiology

8 Process: Keys to Success Customize training to meet needs Careful selection of participants Focused and time limited effort Realistic expectations On the part of the employer On the part of the new coder

9 Design the Program Time/schedule Budget Training delivery method Curriculum Class size Expectations Internship program

10 Curriculum Basic ICD-9 Using the Book Coding Guidelines AHIMA Clinical Workout Basic CPT Reading an Op report Focus on outpatient scenarios Also: Test-taking strategies Broaden their perspective

11 Training Materials ICD-9-CM Coding Handbook (Faye Brown) AHIMA Clinical Workout Additional proprietary sample cases and exercises

12 Create Incentives Tuition reimbursement Paid time for training Certification CEU support

13 Program Rollout Notified transcription staff of training opportunity Developed organizational policy for coding training Review applicants Interviews completed Selection of student cohort

14 Structure of Training Met once a week for two hours via GoToMeeting Lecture Interactive coding exercise Questions and answers Homework assignments

15 Certification Students required to obtain AHIMA s CCA certification upon completion of training program Commitment to provide ongoing training to assist with CEU maintenance Determine what your organization will reimburse coders for to maintain certification

16 Internship Program Budgeted 10 hours per week for 8 weeks per student Partner with CCS coder for 100% review first 4 weeks with decreasing supervision over the next 4 weeks Start with outpatient ancillary, move to ED, SDC and then Observation Transcriptionists continue to transcribe the balance of their time

17 Focused and Time-limited Effort Goal: Achieve AHIMA CCA Certification 26 week training program

18 Keys to Ultimate Success Selected students demonstrated: Commitment Dedication Enthusiasm Motivation

19 Measuring Success Twelve students Two dropped during the program Six successfully passed the CCA exam Four are scheduled to sit soon

20 Summary Key staff are committed to your organization and want to learn Cost effective way to grow credentialed coders Provides opportunity for current coders to develop supervisory skills

21 Thank you for your time!

22 Questions? Pam Haney MS, RHIA, CCS, CPC-H Synernet, Inc Mary Beth York CCS, CCS-P Barry Libman Inc