Wiki HCC CODING

Lolacat35

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I am interested in getting my CRC in order to move to a different areas of coding, I would love to hear from some HCC Coders, your opnions , advice etc. I am a seasoned coder just needing a change and I know nothing about HCC coding . I would like to hear the good and the bad. Thanks
 
Also thinking of doing this so very interested in hearing what others have to say. Thanks for starting the thread!
 
I am currently in the process of getting my CRC, and I work daily with HCC and Risk Adjustment. Even though Risk Adjustment started with Medicare Advantage in 2004, a lot of providers and even health plans are not really taking full advantage of the program. Any provider practices are always trying to maximize their reimbursement and income potential, and Risk Adjustment is for many practices and health plans, an untapped resource. Here is the "low-down":

Pros:
  • Can result in significant reimbursement to the practice and/or health plan if done correctly.
  • Appears to be a growing field/area within coding.
  • Uses same ICD-10 coding guidelines, with HCC specific guidelines. Build upon what you already know for ICD-10.
  • A great way to take your coding career to the next level.

Cons:
  • Main focus is on ICD-10 codes, not CPT/HCPCS. This could be a concern if you are a newer coder and you still need to be more well-rounded.
  • Risk Adjustment/HCC coding is considered a sub specialty of coding, and has little to do with other areas of coding.
  • Because there is that significant reimbursement potential, CMS is also ready to not just recoup wrongful monies, but also impose significant fines and more on failed audits.
  • Although new coders can do HCC coding, and the CRC course is designed for new coders (no CPC requirement), I would personally recommend having at least several coding years under your belt before diving into HCC coding full time.

On a provider group level, HCC can generate that much needed reimbursement/income to widen your margin enough for sustainable growth. Especially if you have a shared risk contract with your contracted health plan.

On a health plan level, HCC is a significant factor to pay provider claims, reduce or stabilize member premiums, and more.

My sources tell me that not only is Risk Adjustment here to stay, but it is only getting bigger. Risk Adjustment started in 1997 with Medicaid, 2004 Medicare Advantage and was most recently expanded into the ACA Commercial market in 2014.

Let me know if you have any other questions.
 
Also thinking of doing this so very interested in hearing what others have to say. Thanks for starting the thread!
Hi do you know anyone who does HCC coding? I get mixed reviews most say boring and seasonal. I can't do seasonal.
 
Hi
I work at rehab inpatient facility we deal with risk adjustment coding and best described notations of the diagnosis codes linked to HCC. Our docs are good at listing details so it helps to code better. Not all dx codes in the ICD-10 manual are HCC related categories. We have the 3M encoder program which is helpful at times it. It will not pull what I think matches the documentation listed and assumes a lot. So I use the trusty coder s tool....most current ICD10 manual.Keep in mind past medical history, complications, variety of different stages & types of diseases link specific dx codes and medical devices used should be listed with HCC coding. I know my ICD-10 year 2019 manual backwards and forwards especially with the top 10 cormobidities patients can suffer. I have learned some past coding managers think Z history codes are not vital to use. I disagreed. And also using redundant dx codes is a insurance denial reason. The Exclusion 2 dx codes can be used but not Exclusion 1 dx codes on same claim.

It is a matter of learning the diagnostic codes matching the detailed documentation. Also some diagnostic phrases have double meanings..IBD can mean same as Crohn's Ds. and Nosocomial Pneumonia is same as HAP (hospital acquired pneumonia) but use 2 dx codes of J18 and Y95 when coding this dilemma.. And systemic sclerosis is sometimes called scleroderma ds. Plus be careful of dopplegangers in using similar medical terms and medical abbreviations. A lot to learn but worth it because reimbursement increases if coding is done properly.

I hope this information helps you
Lady T:cool:
 
Hi do you know anyone who does HCC coding? I get mixed reviews most say boring and seasonal. I can't do seasonal.

I am assuming your sources/reviews are talking about the National audits and Contractor Audits. Health plans get audited all the time by CMS on HCC/Risk Adjustment, and there are seasons of the year where more HCC coding is required. However, HCC coding really depends on your employer. Some contracts HCC coders out and only hire them per seasonal basis, and not as full-time. Many of the bigger health plans, and probably provider groups/health systems (hospitals) might have full-time HCC coders as well, since Risk Adjustment can really have a significant impact on reimbursements.

I personally work for a health plan which currently have 7 full-time HCC/Risk Adjustment coders, and I also do provider education/outreach on top of that.

Feel free to message me if you have any specific questions.
 
I am currently in the process of getting my CRC, and I work daily with HCC and Risk Adjustment. Even though Risk Adjustment started with Medicare Advantage in 2004, a lot of providers and even health plans are not really taking full advantage of the program. Any provider practices are always trying to maximize their reimbursement and income potential, and Risk Adjustment is for many practices and health plans, an untapped resource. Here is the "low-down":

Pros:
  • Can result in significant reimbursement to the practice and/or health plan if done correctly.
  • Appears to be a growing field/area within coding.
  • Uses same ICD-10 coding guidelines, with HCC specific guidelines. Build upon what you already know for ICD-10.
  • A great way to take your coding career to the next level.

Cons:
  • Main focus is on ICD-10 codes, not CPT/HCPCS. This could be a concern if you are a newer coder and you still need to be more well-rounded.
  • Risk Adjustment/HCC coding is considered a sub specialty of coding, and has little to do with other areas of coding.
  • Because there is that significant reimbursement potential, CMS is also ready to not just recoup wrongful monies, but also impose significant fines and more on failed audits.
  • Although new coders can do HCC coding, and the CRC course is designed for new coders (no CPC requirement), I would personally recommend having at least several coding years under your belt before diving into HCC coding full time.

On a provider group level, HCC can generate that much needed reimbursement/income to widen your margin enough for sustainable growth. Especially if you have a shared risk contract with your contracted health plan.

On a health plan level, HCC is a significant factor to pay provider claims, reduce or stabilize member premiums, and more.

My sources tell me that not only is Risk Adjustment here to stay, but it is only getting bigger. Risk Adjustment started in 1997 with Medicaid, 2004 Medicare Advantage and was most recently expanded into the ACA Commercial market in 2014.

Let me know if you have any other questions.
Hi wanted to know if your company is doing any hiring?
 
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