12 Best Practices For Avoiding A Costly Coding Mistake

In the article "Why Avoiding Costly Coding Mistakes Is More Critical Than Ever" by Hilton Hudson, MD, FACS, and CEO of HPC International, the author emphasizes the significance of accurate medical coding in the healthcare industry, especially in a time when hospitals are under financial pressure. The article highlights that even innocent coding mistakes can lead to severe consequences, attracting attention from auditors and resulting in penalties. To avoid costly coding errors, the article provides 12 best practices, including coding accurately, ensuring complete and accurate medical documentation, using modifiers effectively, demonstrating medical necessity, and more. The author also suggests that outsourcing medical coding to specialized teams can be a practical solution, as they can stay updated with the latest coding guidelines. The article concludes that, despite resource constraints in healthcare, neglecting proper coding can ultimately lead to more significant financial losses than gains.