MedQuist Holdings Inc. will showcase CodeRunner™ Computer-Assisted Coding (CAC), a technology that improves clinical documentation by automating the coding process, getting facilities prepared for ICD-10, and increasing the speed of revenue cycles at the 2011 Clinical Documentation Industry Association (CDIA) conference in Charlotte, North Carolina in April. CodeRunner™ CAC speeds and simplifies the coding process, lowering the costs associated with patients being discharged but not finally billed (DNFB), and improving coder productivity.
For the first time, MedQuist, a provider of medical transcription services and technology-enabled clinical documentation solutions, including computer-assisted coding, will demonstrate CodeRunner™ (CAC) and how it works. This technology improves clinical documentation by automating the coding process and getting facilities prepared for ICD-10, the coding that must be used on all HIPAA transactions, including outpatient claims with dates of service, and inpatient claims with dates of discharge, on or after October 1, 2013. This could result in delays and may have an effect on reimbursements, so companies are preparing now for the changeover. CodeRunner™ CAC speeds and simplifies the coding process, lowering DNFB and improving coder productivity, and helping companies get ready for the huge overhaul of the coming coding systems change.
Computer-assisted coding technology is used to meet healthcare providers' current cost reduction mandates and ensure they are prepared to handle the projected decreases in coder productivity as a result of 155,000 new codes. This is a critical year for business owners in the clinical documentation sector as they adopt technology that enables them to expand their offerings and better serve their clients.
Computer-assisted technology is a big player in this marketplace.
Medical transcription coding is the process of transforming descriptions of medical diagnoses and procedures into universal medical code numbers.
The diagnoses and procedures are usually taken from a variety of sources within the medical record, such as the transcription of the doctor's notes, laboratory results, radiologic results, and other sources.
Diagnosis codes are used to track diseases, whether they are chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus and heart disease, to contagious diseases such as norovirus, the flu, and athlete's foot. These diagnosis and procedure codes are used by government health programs, private health insurance companies, workers' compensation carriers and others.
Medical classification systems are used for a variety of applications in medicine and medical informatics.
Deborah DiSesa Hirsch is an award-winning health and technology writer who has worked for newspapers, magazines and IBM in her 20-year career. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.Edited by
Rich Steeves
