New York City-based NYC Health + Hospitals seeks to improve medical coding through Coder Academy, its new training program.
Here are six things to know about the program:
1. The free training program, part of a collaboration with the City University of New York School of Professional Studies, is available for eligible NYC Health + Hospitals employees, including various medical records specialists and health information management specialists, according to a news release. Participants will be able to earn up to 21 CUNY academic credits.
2. A majority of the program training is online, although participants have the option of some in-person sessions, as well as free tutoring.
3. The training — estimated at 10 to 12 hours weekly over 12 to 15 weeks — includes helping inpatient medical coders prepare for the American Health Information Management Association Certified Coding Specialist certification.The training also includes support for emergency department coders seeking to learn inpatient coding, and helps other coders refresh their skills.
4. Overall, the health system aims to improve coding accuracy and ensure maximum reimbursement.
5. Mitchell Katz, MD, and president and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals, said: "Since joining NYC Health + Hospitals, I have been frank about our need to increase revenue. This work is critical to ensuring that our nurses, doctors, social workers and other professionals can continue to provide life-saving care each day. I strongly believe that investing in medical coding training will not only be financially beneficial but will help us better track patient procedures and ultimately lead to more cost-effective medical services for our patients."
6. The program is slated to begin in August.
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