You have requested access to member-only content.

Physician engagement is key to coding accuracy

William E. Haik, MD, FCCP, CDIP, a practicing ­pulmonologist and director of DRG Review, Inc., in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., says he first ­became interested in coded data in 1986 after a local newspaper ­published his hospital’s costs, length of stay, and mortality rates for simple ­pneumonia. At the time, he was the only pulmonologist in the local area. The patients he treated were often those with multiple comorbidities as well as gram-negative bacterial pneumonia who had been transferred from two smaller facilities in the county.

This is an excerpt from member-only content. Please log in or become a member.

Not a member? Let's fix that!

JustCoding is the continuing education website for coding professionals. Whether you're an inpatient or outpatient coder, a veteran or new to the job, JustCoding will keep your skills sharp, test your coding knowledge, and help you stay abreast of CMS changes.

Register to access the free content available through the JustCoding site or subscribe to a Basic or Platinum membership to access paid content on this site. Click here for more information.

For questions and support, please call customer service: 800-650-6787.