Cross-Training Coders to Become Inpatient Coding Experts: Live Sessions are the Key to Success

Cross-Training Coders to Become Inpatient Experts: Live Sessions are the Key to Success

Healthcare organizations, including coders, often struggle with a true return on investment when aiming to cross-train from outpatient to inpatient coding. There are several key differences between inpatient and outpatient coding. Inpatient coding documents a patient’s diagnosis and treatment during hospitalization; by contrast, outpatient coding generates a detailed report for diagnoses treated in one visit. Coding for inpatient vs. outpatient also requires different code sets and payment systems. Payers reimburse inpatient coding through the Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and uses ICD-10-CM diagnostic and ICD-10-PCS procedural codes for billing. Outpatient coding uses the Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and CPT or HCPCS code sets for reimbursement (ICD-10-CM diagnostic codes are also used in outpatient coding).

Check out this chart that categorizes inpatient coding and outpatient coding (Difference Between, 2020). A coder needs in-depth education that can teach the learner how to do hospital or facility-based medical coding. After completing the self-paced ICD-10 Inpatient Academy, coders will learn to abstract information from the medical record for ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS coding, and specialized payment knowledge in MS-DRGs and Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems (IPPS).

An Inpatient Coding Academy that focuses on ongoing feedback

The in-depth self-paced ICD-10 Inpatient Academy provides ICD-10 Inpatient coding education for beginners and intermediate-level Inpatient and Outpatient coders. Learners receive 36 AHIMA CEUs (upon request) and a Certificate of Completion after finishing the Academy.

During the Academy, coders gain a better understanding of ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Coding, ICD-10-CM Coding Guidelines, ICD-10-PCS Procedure Coding, ICD-10-PCS Coding Guidelines, and much more. The learning objectives throughout the ICD-10 Inpatient Academy teach a wide range of Inpatient coding education topics. The Academy’s program teaches this using practical examples and real-world scenarios.

Each week, the learner reads the assigned pages in the American Hospital Association – ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS Handbook. The learner also reviews the Academy’s content and webinar(s) and completes the assignments and assessments. In addition, the learner benefits from live Q&A sessions with our YES Educators who have over 20 years’ experience in the HIM field – an exclusive opportunity that other HIM education programs do not offer.

For information on how to identify the coders who are qualified to cross-train in inpatient coding, review our article, “Outpatient to Inpatient Coder Training: Evaluate, Identify, & Train with Experts.”

Why are live sessions important when learning complex topics?

The live Q&A sessions give our learners a competitive advantage over other learners in the industry. During these sessions, coders can ask questions and receive feedback in real-time. This ensures they comprehend the ICD-10 content and guidelines covered in the handbook and webinars. Live sessions offer the benefit of immediate feedback to the learner; this is a feature that is excluded from most self-paced online training offerings. Assessments measure each learner’s progress and provide self-assessment insights and input to the coder.

Ongoing practical coding education is essential to remain successful in the HIM industry. Inpatient coders are always in-demand. The YES ICD-10 IP Academy helps Outpatient coders successfully transition to IP coding. The difference between Inpatient and Outpatient coding is coders require more experience in Inpatient coding vs. Outpatient coding.

To examine the importance of coding education, review our article, “Medical Coding Classes and the Importance of a Coding Education.” Our previous article, “Best Practices for Providing Your Team with Valuable Coding Education,” further solidifies the necessity to provide ongoing coding education courses to maintain accuracy levels.

If you or your coding team are interested in learning how to become an inpatient coder, contact us today.