How to improve the physician/coder relationship and increase medical practice profitability
They’re the employees behind the scenes who keep medical practices running smoothly. They strive to bill every service correctly and capture every dollar. We’re talking about medical coders and medical billers—the highly trained individuals who assign medical codes, submit medical claims, and follow up with unpaid patient and payer balances. Without them, there would be no revenue. There would be no cashflow. There would be no ability for physicians to recruit and retain staff, invest in new technology, or treat patients. Today’s medical coders and medical billers are an essential part of every medical practice, which is why it’s important for them to collaborate with physicians. The goal? Increase profitability and promote long-term financial sustainability. It’s all about building a stronger team and enhancing the physician/coder relationship. Following are five ways to do that.
1. Meet regularly. Most medical practices conduct daily huddles before the busy workday begins. However, it’s also important for medical practices to set aside time for medical coders, medical billers, and physicians to meet and talk about challenges, ask questions, and provide constructive feedback. During these meetings, medical coders and medical billers can let physicians know about new regulations, medical codes, documentation requirements, and denial trends. Likewise, physicians can provide feedback on what would help them be more efficient or inquire about how to assign certain medical codes. For example, physicians might benefit from a new electronic medical record (EMR) template, documentation tip sheet, or workflow change. Together, everyone can work together to brainstorm ways to reduce denials, increase patient engagement, and elevate the entire medical practice.
2. Consider job shadowing. The clinical and coding worlds are completely different. And we’ve all heard others say, ‘Physicians didn’t go to school to become coders,’ and ‘Coders aren’t physicians.’ That’s why job shadowing can be helpful. For example, physicians can watch how medical coders and medical billers navigate the EMR and submit clean claims. Similarly, medical coders and medical billers can watch how physicians perform certain procedures or conduct office visits (Note: Obviously, patient consent would be required.) It’s this ability to ‘step into someone else’s shoes for the day’ that can make such a huge difference in terms of collaboration and problem solving.
3. Tap into external resources. Sometimes hiring a consultant can be very helpful in terms of leveraging an unbiased viewpoint and providing best practice strategies for smoother, more efficient operations. This individual can attend meetings and suggest ways to enhance the physician/coder relationship.
4. Focus on healthy communication. It’s impossible to work together and build a strong physician/coder relationship without first having a foundation of productive and respectful communication. This requires active listening and an environment in which all comments and questions are encouraged. It also requires medical coders, medical billers, and physicians to take responsibility for their own actions (or inactions) and promise to bring their best selves to work each day. With that said, healthy communication is not innate. It’s something we learn, and in some medical practices, it may be worthwhile to invest in training. Workplace communication training not only improves the relationship between medical coders, medical billers, and physicians—it can also positively impact patient engagement as well.
5. Promote team-building exercises. Building positive relationships outside the office can greatly enhance the at-work dynamic. There are many team-building exercises to consider, including creative ones like an escape room—a popular entertainment venue where people must use problem-solving, clue identifying, and puzzle sleuthing to work together and escape the room. Use your imagination and think outside the box to foster a stronger physician/coder relationship.
Conclusion
Enhancing the physician/coder relationship is all about opening the lines of communication and focusing on the role each individual plays in the overall process. Leveraging the right EMR and practice management system is also key. That’s because the right technology maximizes efficiency, thereby enabling physicians, medical coders, and billers to turn their attention toward each other. When this happens, medical practices can more easily focus on what matters most: High-quality patient care. Learn how edgeMED can help and be sure to check the Healthy Snacks blog for more expert insights, best practices and industry trends.
