If you currently work in any healthcare related field you’re aware of the ongoing shortage of healthcare workers that has been an issue for the past several years creating the shear exhaustion of most remaining healthcare workers pushing to meet expected outcomes for the industry. Medical Coding is no exception. There’s a shortage of medical coders that has been prevalent for years with no end insight. The potential use of additional artificial intelligence to meet the demand and fill the gap is also a concern for most coders. With the aging population on the rise along with more complex conditions that require highly skilled healthcare professionals in order to provide care to meet patient needs also requires expert coders. Medical coders are also faced with continuous audits from various internal and external auditors to ensure each claim is accurate and clinically appropriate. Denials on the rise as insurance companies look for opportunities to deny claims and save money creates an environment of weariness for everyone involved in the revenue cycle process.
Medical coders are trained to handle almost constant scrutiny regarding their code selection and must validate every code with the mindset that each account coded and billed will be audited by more than one auditor. This motivates coders to pursue accuracy and ensure every code selected is supported by provider documentation, treatment and monitoring and clinically makes sense while adhering to various guidelines, conventions and instructions. The fear of losing our credentials, being fined or what I like to call “Medicare jail” is the reality that coders need to remember when selecting specific codes. Each condition selected should be able to “stand in court” if needed. In all reality, coders must ask themselves when reviewing provider documentation, if the condition is supported and if not, query for clarification. The consequences of inappropriate code selection can be detrimental for the coder, the facility and for the patient.
All of these factors can definitely create a perfect “stress storm” for coders if steps aren’t taken to handle and manage stressful situations at the onset. So how do medical coders manage the stress of the day-to-day requirements of their profession? Here are some helpful tips that can be used by medical coders and healthcare professionals to reduce stress while on the job and in your daily life.
Stress Reducing Tips
- Continuous education to keep up with the ever changing industry, new codes, guidelines, and technology.
- Phone a friend when stuck or feeling overwhelmed, especially one that makes you laugh!
- Take a break and walk away to reset your mindset.
- When in doubt, query it out!
- Google, Merck Manual and Medscape any disease process or condition you’re not familiar with.
- Grab headphones and that playlist you love to bring the “happy, happy, happy” before the stress overwhelms and tanks your day.
- If you’re remote, dance for 5 minutes or until the stress is managed.
- Grab a cup of joe or tea.
- Stretch for 5 minutes to recenter and refocus putting stress in perspective rather than allowing it more space in your mind.
- Go outside in the sun if possible and take in the beauty of the outdoors.
Although stress is part of the healthcare industry, we don’t have to allow it to control our day or our minds. Stress is just an indicator that you’re facing a challenge. It’s your mind telling you this current project or situation is difficult and to get out now. Pushing past that barrier can be extremely rewarding and will strengthen you before the next stressful situation arises.
One of the most beautiful aspects of working in healthcare whether it’s on the non-clinical side or the clinical (patient care) side, you’re never alone. There’s a giant family of healthcare professionals that share your daily burdens and stressful situations even if you’re not aware. Showing gratitude for the situations that cause stress can promote personal and professional growth as you learn to successfully navigate stress without losing your sense of peace of mind. Those audits every coder is faced with can be an opportunity to really learn from to enhance your skill set. There will always be someone who knows more than you so why not harness that knowledge and make it your knowledge rather than a source of stress. Remember that if you love what you do, you’ll never truly work but simply will do what you love every single day while giving back to the patient, even as a coder.
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