Get ready for MS-DRGs: Educate physicians

Continuing with our previous posts on how to prepare for MS-DRGs, today we briefly focus on how to educate physicians about MS-DRG requirements. Accurate clinical documentation is the key for accurate reimbursement, and documentation improvement efforts will greatly decrease the number of times that coders must query clinicians for additional details when assigning codes. Coding holdups have the potential to significantly delay reimbursement.

Physicians need to understand that the assignment of the correct MS-DRG is directly dependent on their documentation. "Close" is not good enough. Without complete documentation, the correct codes cannot be assigned.

Remember that even if you have a documentation improvement program today, it is based on the current DRGs. Many of the specific guidelines developed for clinicians will be outdated when the new MS-DRG system is put in place. The CC/MCC list is very different than the Medicare V24 CC list.

Clinical Documentation Improvement Program
Ingenix offers a unique six-step documentation improvement program that incorporates a Case Mix analysis as well as a thorough coding and documentation review. These create the foundation for a comprehensive education program that care managers, coders and physicians can count on. To find out how your organization can benefit from these and other services, call 866-222-1298 or send an inquiry via e-mail to msdrg@ingenix.com.