Electronic Health Records: The End of the Line for Coders…or a New Beginning?

The global shift in the health care industry from paper-based patient charts to Electronic Health Records (EHRs) has raised concerns in the coding community. With EHRs that automatically generate medical insurance and billing codes, the logical question on everyone’s mind is…will the role of the medical coder soon become extinct?

While this is a very valid concern, expert coding author Carol J. Buck sees the implementation of EHRs not as a cause for alarm, but rather as an opportunity for the field to evolve and grow. Instead of becoming obsolete, the reality is that coders will become more important than ever — as auditors. Buck says, “Auditing is a natural course to implement at this time because of the EHR. Facilities that have switched to EHRs have experienced an increase in the number of coders needed, not a decrease. The fact is that codes still need to be assigned and there are even more rules, not fewer rules to follow. The coder has the necessary level of expertise across the broad areas of reimbursement and coding to ensure compliance when submitting charges.”

When it comes to EHRs, coders bring a set of skills and knowledge to the process that no one else on the health care team possesses. Carol Buck provides an example, “Look at a general surgeon. They perform procedures that require PCS, CM, and CPT. They would have to have a grasp on all those codes and the corresponding reimbursement rules. Traditionally, a coder would review the operative report and translate the services provided into codes. A coder who is an auditor is essential with the introduction of EHRs and ICD-10.” Buck also points out, “An auditor ensures that the proper coding is included for exactly what was provided or performed, and sometimes that requires more detail than what the physician provides.”

Shifting the focus from traditional coding to auditing applies to education as well. “The future of coding is auditing, which requires checking the work of others, reviewing codes with people who haven’t been trained in medical coding, and working faster than ever before. It requires a higher level of knowledge,” says Buck, “so we must ensure that education is changing with the industry.”

As with the transition to ICD-10, Elsevier and Carol Buck have you covered when it comes to the future of coding. Be sure to check out our latest auditing texts, The Next Step: Advanced Medical Coding and Auditing, 2013 Edition and E/M Auditing Step, 3rd Edition.

If you have any questions, ask the Elsevier Experts or contact your Elsevier Education Solutions Consultant today.