TCI Launches New EM Audit Compliance Tool That Boosts Audit Productivity & Reduces EM Code Misuse

DURHAM, N.C., July 15, 2014 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Auditors for Medicare, Medicaid, and private payers are scrutinizing EM levels closely and increasingly seeking supporting documentation for top-reported services, like office visit codes 99201-99215 and hospital visit codes 99221-99233. Auditing EM services is the safest way to protect payments and reduce compliance risk. But the various rules are easy to misinterpret, making auditing time-consuming and perplexing. "Fortunately, the Coding Institute (TCI) has just launched a new affordable audit software - EM Auditor - that's faster than paper and other audit electronic tools," says Jennifer Godreau, CPC, CPMA, CPEDC & AHIMA-certified ICD-10 trainer, director of development and operations for SuperCoder.com, a division of the Coding Institute.

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EM Auditor prevents code selection differences with a unique workflow that automatically generates the alternative CMS code when appropriate. "From assisting auditors with tackling the challenge of finding which exam guideline matches the provider's code to offering practical coding guidance for meeting compliance requirements for counseling services, consultations, unobtainable history, and medical necessity, this tool has you covered," adds Godreau.

Targeted to providers, auditors, medical coders, consultants, educators, and billing and insurance companies, the EM tool:

• Automatically gives credit for documentation using both 1997 and 1995 guidelines, eliminating the need for auditors to calculate claims twice to check both criteria.
• Reviews codes for documentation requirements and puts all the information coders or providers need at their fingertips to help them learn and understand code requirements. 

• Prevents code selection differences with a unique workflow that automatically generates the alternative CMS code when appropriate.
• Automatically readjusts review of systems scores for high level codes that have more diverse requirements than lower level codes, ensuring 99205s and 99223s survive scrutiny.
• Demystifies the various detailed exam rules.

• Boosts documentation as each element includes CMS Evaluation and Management Documentation Guidelines and AMA CPT® guidelines to instantly support each step in compliance audits.
• Protects time-based encounter pay.
• Minimizes EM code misuse by combining logics from 14 coding audit worksheets, including the Marshfield Clinic audit tool, into one EM calculator.

• Shows every CPT® code's RVUs and official descriptor and validates ICD-9 codes to help auditors and providers perform more efficient auditing. 

"With authoritative guidance next to each encounter element, providers can calculate EM levels, check codes, practice codes, and improve their audit scores by being privy to the same requirements TCI auditors and insurance auditors follow. Higher audit scores along with your proactive external audit plan will make your payments even more secure, plummeting your compliance risk," says Godreau.

About The Coding Institute (TCI) & SuperCoder:

SuperCoder.com is an affiliated brand of the Coding Institute, LLC. With roots going back to 1947, the Coding Institute is well known in the industry for providing trustworthy guidance and surefire strategies for a more profitable practice through Specialty Coding Alerts, SuperCoder.com, and AudioEducator. For more details, visit www.supercoder.com/em-auditor

Media Contact: Rojer T, The Coding Institute, (866)-228-9252, [email protected]

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SOURCE The Coding Institute