Education on Coding Guidelines May Increase Physician Confidence, Accuracy With Coding

Orthopedics Today (03/24) Tingle, Casey

Orthopedic surgeons who receive coding education demonstrate greater accuracy and confidence at all levels, new research shows. The findings, presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting in San Francisco, showed that while education on updated coding guidelines improved all providers' accuracy scores, statistically significant improvement was only seen among attending providers. Researchers evaluated in 2021 orthopedic surgeons' knowledge of coding and billing practices using a survey that gathered data on provider comfort with coding, increasing levels of service visits and various billing models. Providers were then provided with coding education that emphasized updated guidelines and improved confidence, comfort and accuracy. All providers who received education between 2021 and 2023 demonstrated improvement on all coding levels when they took the initial survey again. "Comparing provider accuracy scores from 2021, we find that providers demonstrated no significant difference in accuracy scores between groups," reported author Shreya S. Balusu, BS. "However, once again comparing provider accuracy score in 2023, we found that [advanced practice providers] and attendings had significantly increased scores compared to residents."

Read More