Tiered Coding

My department is researching the idea of changing our positions to Coding Specialist I & II. We currently are all the same (Coding Specialist) which has caused a lot of contention in the department. With the growth in complexity of charts, changes in volumes etc...we have tried to stay away from "speciality" coding. We have a range of coders with a range of strengths. Some focus on Inpt, others on Ambulatory surg & others on ED & diagnostics. Although each is important to the department many folks are finding it hard to justify why they are doing complex inpatients exclusively or know all types while others are doing EDs and diagnostics with no interest in doing other types of charts yet everyone has the same title and same pay scale. Its not even divided by experience or seniority. There are those that have 20 years experience who refuse to do Inpt coding because it slows down their productivity. So we've discussed the idea that if you know how to do everything you are Coder II if you are limiting your range of skills you are Coder I. Are there any Coders out there who are in departments set up either way & do you have descriptions of your duties as a Coder II and the difference in pay scales. We are development stages of this change and trying to get as much feedback as we can so that we can be fair to everyone involved and reflect the importance of us all in the department.

You might find more help on the AHIMA communities of practice because there are a lot of managers and coders on there. At my facility we are divided between inaptient and outpatient coders. At one time inpatient coders were paid more but now that the outpatient coders have to consider APCs they have the same pay scale.

Our longer term coders get paid more because of their seniority and because they have some extra responsibilities like training and coding evals. Otherwise we all pull the charts randomly and it is pretty much luck of the draw.

coder and annie 21, I need help in coding questions. I am newly certified wo/ work experience. I have some coding questions that I cannot resolve, would you mind help me review my coding answer?

My email is on my profile page, just click my name on the left of the screen and send me email so I can send you word file with my coding works.

Any experienced coder who can help review my coding answers, please send me a message. Thank you.

why don`t you check www.codinginstitute.com . wonderful site to get all info regarding CPC exams.