PMIC & MCCS Introduce Flash Code Featuring ICD-10 Smart Search at HIMSS 2014
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) February 18, 2014 -- Under HIPAA regulations, every health care provider must use the ICD-10 coding system for all medical services and procedures performed on or after October 1, 2014. In addition, all health insurance payers, and government agencies involved with the administration and/or payment for health care, such as Medicare and Medicaid, must convert to the new system. This change will cost the health care industry and tax payers billions of dollars.
There are 22,204 codes in the current ICD-9 coding system and 152,261 codes in the new ICD-10 coding system. With a 685% increase in the number of codes, a key issue becomes how fast a correct code can be determined. Many providers and organizations are turning to electronic coding solutions for training and transition to the ICD-10 coding system. Flash Code, deployed as Software as a Service (SaaS) is currently used by tens of thousands of health care providers and payers for coding of medical procedures and diagnoses.
FLASH CODE WITH ICD-10 SMART SEARCH
Medical coding is the process of finding a procedure or diagnosis code that accurately defines the service or procedure provided. Procedure codes define “what” was done and diagnosis codes define “why” the procedure was done. Selecting the correct code is the key to getting paid and avoiding audit liability.
Typically the medical coding process begins with a search. The coder uses a print or electronic resource to perform a search of an index using a code number, word, phrase, acronym, abbreviation or eponym. The index directs the coder to a specific area of the code listings, where the coder can complete the process of reviewing and selecting the correct code from the choices available.
With electronic coding programs, the quality of a code search depends on the accuracy of the search terms and the ability of the software to accept and interpret acronyms and abbreviations as well as partial or complete codes, words and phrases.
Most electronic search engines use “Google style” search logic and display incomplete and unsorted results. That means the medical coder has to spend extra time reviewing the results to determine if the object of the search is present, and if not, performing sequential searches using different search terms in an attempt to locate the correct code.
Flash Code with ICD-10 Smart Search uses a sophisticated proprietary search algorithm to improve search results on four levels:
• First, it allows searches by full or partial code numbers, words, phrases, acronyms and
common abbreviations. If a medical coder searches for “fracture” or “fx,” a common abbreviation
for fracture as a search term, the results will incorporate all codes that include fracture in the
definition.
• Second, ICD-10 Smart Search accelerates workflow by providing instant access to three types
of search results:
- QuickStart – collapses large lists into a select list of parent codes from which the coder can
quickly navigate to the correct billable code(s).
- Focused – shows results as found by searching code numbers, official descriptions and/or
associated abbreviations and synonyms.
- Expanded – builds on Focused searches by also finding related terms from the alphabetical
index and table of Neoplasms and Table of Drugs & Chemicals.
• Third, Flash Code displays information only from the selected code set in strict numeric order. If
the coder is searching for a diagnosis code, only codes from the ICD-9 and/or ICD-10 coding
systems are displayed.
• Fourth, Flash Code includes unique stop and go buttons to let the coder know instantly if a
code is billable or not. Only Flash Code includes indicators that indicate that a code is
reportable (red button) or that more specificity is required (green button).
Flash Code users can switch back and forth from ICD-9 to ICD-10 and map to or from ICD-9 to ICD-10 with ease.
FLASH CODE WORKS ON EVERYTHING
Flash Code is delivered as SaaS on fast and highly available servers with up time exceeding 99.9% per year. Any computer, laptop, tablet or thin client device with an internet connection can access Flash Code. The website has processed over 2 billion hits; delivering over 500 million page views to over 10 million visitors.
INTEGRATION READY
Integration is a cost-effective way to add ICD-10 coding value to your enterprise solution. Flash Code provides an API that allows any integration partner to access our data and coding intelligence. This makes it possible to query Flash Code information, then post it within the integration partner's GUI. Items that can be extracted include:
Search results
Fee Calculations
Compliance edits, such as:
- Nonspecific ICD codes
- Medical Necessity Edits
- Correct Coding Initiative unbundling edits
EHRs and medical billing companies can expand the capability of their software programs by integrating with the leader in electronic medical coding.
FREE TRIAL AVAILABLE
A 14-day unrestricted free trial is available for all interested parties. After the 14-day trial, users may either subscribe to the unrestricted service or continue the free service with access restrictions. Corporate entities are encouraged to call 1-800-MED-SHOP to arrange a comprehensive demonstration of Flash Code for management, coding, training and information technology staff.
MEDICAL CODING & COMPLIANCE SOLUTIONS, LLC (MCCS)
MCCS, LLC a division of PMIC, provides sophisticated electronic coding and compliance solutions to the health care industry; including Flash Code and http://icdcoding.com, the most visited diagnosis coding website on the internet. For more information, visit http://www.FlashCode.com.
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CORPORATION (PMIC)
PMIC is the nation's leading independent publisher and reseller of medical coding and compliance
books, forms and software. For more information, visit http://www.pmiconline.com.
Flash Code is a registered trademark of Flash Code Solutions, LLC. All rights reserved.
Karlen Bailie, M.D., Flash Code Solutions, LLC, http://FlashCode.com, +1 209 669-6377, [email protected]
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