Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Helpful Tips to Find Medical Coding Companies

Locating outsourcing companies that offer reliable medical coding services can be a complex task for healthcare entities, as numerous firms exist in the industry. Here are some tips that will help you find established medical coding companies that can provide professional medical coding solutions that perfectly suit your practice requirements.

Selecting Reliable Companies- Core Features to Look for 

Medical coding tasks are to be performed with accuracy, as coding errors can lead to rejection or denial of reimbursement. Leading medical coding companies provide efficient coding solutions for all medical specialities. Consider the following tips when selecting a medical coding company.

Experience: Consider the experience of the particular outsourcing company you are interested in partnering with. Choosing a medical coding company with sufficient industry experience will help you obtain more accurate solutions, strictly adhering to the latest regulations formulated by the federal government and insurance companies.

Reliability: Ensure that your preferred company is reputable. Such firms can provide consistent services that will improve the revenue and cash flow of your practice.

Technological aspects: To provide client-focused medical coding solutions, medical coding outsourcing companies have to maintain state-of-the-art technology, innovative infrastructure, equipment, and advanced coding software like Ingenix, Flash Code and AMA software. Find out whether your firm is fully equipped with the necessary technology.

Services: It is necessary to evaluate the major medical coding services that are offered by your firm.  Most professional companies provide comprehensive medical coding solutions covering:

•    Hospital / in-patient coding
•    DRG/ICD-9-CM coding validations
•    Emergency room e-code evaluation
•    Medical coding audits
•    CPT medical coding, and more

Expertise and Consistency: Before signing up with a medical coding company, ensure that they have AAPC certified medical coding specialists proficient in CPT, ICD-9 CM, and HCPCS codes and standards. Further, check whether they can complete your specific medical coding tasks within your stipulated time limit.

Turnaround time: Confirm that the selected company can provide systematic medical coding solutions within minimum turnaround time. Timely submission of error-free insurance claims and medical bills will help obtain medical reimbursement in a timely manner.

Data privacy: Find out whether your medical coding company is HIPAA compliant and offers total security and confidentiality for patient data.

File transfer facility: Medical coding firms should maintain secure file transfer facilities. Ensure that your coding firm provides safe and secure file transfer options through 128-bit encrypted FTP or e-mail.

Pricing structure: Medical coding services are provided by various firms at different charges. Therefore, an assessment of their pricing structure will help assign the job to a reputable company providing effective solutions at competitive charges. Most well-known medical coding firms offer 30% - 40% cost savings as well.

See whether the firm offers free trial options, as this will enable you to assess their service quality, free of cost and take a decision.

Experienced Firms for Precise Solutions

Partnering with experienced medical coding companies ensures precise and quality medical coding solutions that will help maintain a steady revenue cycle for your medical practice. Organized medical coding services also bring in supplementary benefits such as:

•    Reduce claim denials and rejections
•    Enhance productivity and profitability of your practice
•    Minimize your operating outlay
•    Reduce your managerial workload

Web Resources Help your Search

To find reliable medical coding companies, you can utilize various web resources. Performing searches on online directories and yellow pages with zip code or the name of your city will give you a complete list of companies functioning in that location. Social networks and forums are the other resources that can help your search. Reading blogs, newsletters, articles and press releases will also direct you to the right company.

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