Senior-Level Registered Nurses Keep Hospital Doors Open with New Careers
Record number of senior-level RNs are returning to healthcare jobs working as “RN-Coders” and “RN-Auditors” resulting in immediate reimbursements for hospitals and less out-of-pocket expenses for patients.
Diamond Bar, CA (PRWEB via PR Web
Direct) September 7, 2004 -- One of the most difficult aspects of healthcare
is keeping hospitals, clinics and emergency rooms afloat amidst increasing
medical costs and patient needs. In Los Angeles County alone, 9 emergency rooms
have closed in the last 14 months. Los Angeles County Public Health Department
closed 13 public health clinics prior to these ER closures. When Healthcare
facilities move out of the community, everyone suffers. However, new career
opportunities for Registered Nurses are changing this trend, putting hospitals
back into the black. Record number of senior-level RNs are returning to
healthcare jobs working as “RN-Coders” and “RN-Auditors” resulting in immediate
reimbursements for hospitals and less out-of-pocket expenses for patients.
“Coding” is the translation of medical terms, procedures and diagnoses
into procedural and diagnostic codes. These codes, developed by the American
Medical Association (Current Procedural Terminology) and the International
Classification of Disease-9th edition, updated by the Department of Health and
Human Services, are required by HIPAA. Only through these essential codes can
hospitals, physicians and other healthcare providers obtain payment for services
rendered.
“Since Medicare altered the way it pays for all outpatient
services in August 2000, it has become clear that many hospitals have not
implemented coding compliance programs, resulting in poor reimbursements, fraud
cases, and hospital closures,” states Joyce Thomas, Executive Director of the
American Association of Clinical Coders & Auditors. Previously, all coding
was undertaken by the clinically untrained clerical staff. “AACCA certifies RNs
and other clinical personnel in coding and chart audit activities,” Thomas
continues, “giving hospitals and medical groups competent personnel” which
results in “a 30% - 40% increase in reimbursements to hospitals in a short time,
” concludes Hilary Falconer, a senior nurse manager responsible for chart audits
and a member of the AACCA Board of Directors.
It is a proven fact that
“when hospitals and physicians work with RN-Coders to produce quality
documentation and coding, correct and expedient reimbursement will result,”
Thomas emphasized. “These new opportunities for senior-level RNs re-entering
hospitals will ensure hospitals get paid correctly the first time
around.”
About American Association of Clinical Coders & Auditors,
(AACCA)
American Association of Clinical Coders & Auditors is a
non-profit, 501(c)3 educational organization. AACCA is currently the only
organization to certify clinical personnel in coding and auditing. AACCA also
launched the nation’s first computer-based examination for coding certification
last year and has certified over 150 RNs, MDs, Physical Therapists, and other
clinical personnel in coding.
Contact Information:
Joyce L. Thomas,
MHA, Executive Director
AACCA
3233 Grand Avenue #N291
Chino Hills, CA
91709
909-489-7077
# # #
Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/9/prweb156238.htm