Let’s say you’re jumping on a trampoline and you get a little wild, lose control, and fly off! As you rise from your fall, you realize that your right arm is throbbing with pain, so you go to the doctor. He tells you your arm has a fracture, sets the bone, and puts a cast on it. The doctor has done two things: (1) he diagnosed you and (2) he performed a procedure on you.
Charge Capture is recording those two things: diagnoses and procedures. Diagnoses are organized into ICD-10 codes, and procedures are known as CPT codes. The combination of ICD-10 and CPT codes give insurance companies a standard for payment. Doctors get reimbursed for the work they have done based on the ICD-10 and CPT codes they record. Checks and balances exist to track coding because these codes carry a monetary value. Thus, accurate coding is a foundational exercise for any medical practice.
Here at MediMobile, we focus on how doctors record and deliver their codes to their billers. Today, the most popular method of charge capture is using paper. Doctors use a pen to record the codes, then deliver them to their billers either by fax or in the flesh. While this system is adequate, we believe technology to be infinitely more powerful.
Charge Capture is a critical process not only for reimbursement but also for ensuring accurate medical records and proper patient care. It serves as a bridge between the medical service provided and the financial aspect of healthcare. Proper coding ensures that patients receive appropriate treatment and that healthcare providers are fairly compensated for their services. Moreover, accurate coding is vital for statistical analysis, research, and public health monitoring.
In today's fast-paced medical environment, efficiency and accuracy are paramount. While the traditional paper-based method of charge capture has served its purpose, it is inherently limited by its manual nature. Human error, time-consuming processes, and the risk of lost or misplaced documents can hinder productivity and revenue generation for medical practices. Embracing technology not only streamlines the charge capture process but also enhances overall practice management, allowing healthcare professionals to focus more on patient care rather than administrative tasks.
What if there was a database of ICD-10 and CPT codes that doctors were able to search in seconds? What if codes were available in a favorite’s list so you could code in 3 clicks? What if you integrated software systems so doctors would never have to deliver another charge by fax or by hand? Over the years, these are the questions that sparked innovation at MediMobile. We’d love to hear whatever ideas or challenges you have. What if we created a better system?
Don’t hesitate to add to the dialogue.
