Healthcare providers are often inundated with medical coding tasks. Due to the sheer volume of claims, it can be difficult to figure out how to maximize efficiency. If your current staff has problems keeping up with the workflow, you may need to consider outsourcing.
The Problem with Employing On-Site Coders
Many health organizations maintain a dedicated staff of medical coders. At first glance, this may seem preferable to outsourcing medical coding. However, it comes with a lot of excessive costs. The average salary for medical coders is around $50,000 per year. This does not consider the cost of providing health benefits and other perks. Furthermore, it can take a lot of time to recruit and train qualified candidates. In simple terms, employing a medical coding staff has a deep impact on your organization’s bottom line.
The Advantages of Outsourcing
When it comes to outsourcing medical coding, the positives far outweigh any possible negative. External coding agencies tend to focus on medical coding as their sole purpose. Due to this, they are deeply committed to the practice. What this means is that an outsourced coding center is more likely to be familiar with the latest trends in the industry. In most cases, an outsourced staff is quickly trained to adhere to groundbreaking compliance issues. An outsourced center regulates itself so that business managers can focus on more important needs.
Outsourcing is also beneficial when it involves handling complex cases, or unfamiliar territory. Some medical services can be so specialized that your regular staff is unfit to handle it. Coders in an outsourcing arrangement are likely to have the skills that you need. In such a scenario, you’ll be better off working with an outsourcing agency. You can save time and money by using a pre-trained staff that can bill specialized services at a moment’s notice.
Medical Coding Doesn’t Have to Be Hard
Coding can be one of the more undesirable aspects of healthcare. However, it is necessary to ensure that the business functions. Outsourcing medical coding is a great solution to economize and increase productivity.
For assistance with medical coding matters, contact GeBBS Healthcare Solutions.
