I have over 24 years of experience as an outpatient coder. I started coding in 1996 at a local facility. In 2003, while still working part time at our local facility, I started my own company, Complete Physician Services, LLC.

 

I have multiple areas of expertise that include Emergency Department – both physician and technical fees. I have also been a physician and technical fee ED auditor for multiple remote coding services since 2010. Some of the Emergency departments I have worked with are Indiana University, Mercy Hospital system in Oklahoma and Missouri and Albany Medical Center in New York. I have also been and ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS auditor and educator and trainer since 2013.

I have had my AAPC, CPC certification since 2000 and my CEDC certification since 2010. I also received my AHIMA CCS certification in 2016. I have extensive experience creating technical guides and training remote coders (both domestic and offshore) and auditors on how to use EMR, coding, encoder and billing software applications.

 

I train and educate onsite in academic and hospital based settings with physicians, nurses and coders to educate them on various coding-related topics. I am an enthusiastic advocate for the health information profession and I strive to educate physicians, nurses and other departments within a medical facility regarding the important role proper documentation and coding take in the patient care and revenue cycles.

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I have found my passion in the last 6 years has evolved around auditing and follow up education and training with both coders and health care providers. One area of focus has revolved around the implementation of ICD-10-CM. I have found that the ICD-10-CM coding conventions and guidelines are a primary area of outpatient coder question and concern. Another area that I have been very active with is working with hospitals and physician groups to ensure that the coding vendors they are using are the appropriate fit for their organization.

 

I do remain active as a coder, auditor and manager as I believe that this is the most effective way to stay current and relative in the health information profession.