Remember, we’re completing the first year of changes to the office/outpatient E/M changes, so be on the lookout for payer audits in the next year or two.
Why do you have to do a coding assessment for a job when you’ve already passed the coding certification exam?
The short answer (yes, I can be brief) LOL
The coding assessment is meant to assess your ability to code.
It assesses your ability to correctly translate the documentation to codes to “tell the story” without the benefit of multiple choice answers (if created correctly).
Your potential employer has to determine if you are ready to “hit the floor running” in a production environment or if they would have to invest additional time and resources in training you on how to correctly assign codes.
An experienced coder is expected to know general coding guidelines, most payer-specific guidelines, sequencing, compliant reporting of modifiers, bundling, and unbundling rules. Training should only be provided for workflow and processes and internal guidelines.
As a new coder, you’re not expected to “hit the floor running.” It’s going to take time and resources to acclimate you to the “if,” “ands,” and “buts” of medical coding.
The assessment will establish your baseline. Next, the potential employer has to determine if the facility or practice has resources and the budget to provide the necessary intense training.
I’ve had a few people reach out to me this week to share their negative experiences.
The common theme in all of them is lack of professionalism and outright meanness.
Look, you don’t have to like your coworkers or your employees. But, you have to work together to get the job done. That means putting aside your personal “feelings” and communicating professionally – that’s what you’re paid to do.
Decades ago, a manager told me that she didn’t have to like me. She just had to work with me. Following that conversation, the work environment was less stressful for both of us!
You can disagree (respectfully) with a post on social media, but don’t attack the person.
Why do some people become “keyboard gangsters” on social media? They seem very comfortable typing insults that they would not say in person.
How can a reasonable person comment that another person’s post is unprofessional and then attack the person?
Does everyone see the hypocrisy here? Are you kidding me?
It’s okay to disagree with a post or comment on social media. However, you have a couple of choices on how to handle it.
You can ignore it or post that you disagree and your reason(s) why. You can even comment that the original comment was unprofessional, but don’t make yourself look unprofessional at the same time.
Another coder shared that she’s not comfortable asking for help from her team. She doesn’t get answers or even guidance on how to find the answer. The general attitude of her team is that knowledge is power, and the one with the knowledge will not share because they want all of the power.
That’s a terrible work environment, and the “team” is destined to fail.
Coffee With a Medical Coding Auditor 