RE: cdi_talk digest: March 14, 2011
What an enjoyable thread! We began our program in 2002 and had a
consultant who sold administration on the money. Over time we grew in
our knowledge and understanding of what we were doing, and why we should
be doing it besides optimizing reimbursement. We have since kept the
software of the consultant company (and upgraded), but done away with
the contracted audits & reports. We can generate the reports they
provided ourselves, and have them real time. A disadvantage to the
software is that if you want to build reports other than the "canned"
ones they provide, you have to pay for an additional training. We will
likely do that at some point as the budget allows. In the meantime,
their canned reports are pretty good, so we make do with those.
I think most of us understand that our work is about so much more than
money. As the auditing becomes more intense, I believe administration
will see that as well. My advice is to continue to do the work the way
it should be done. The money will follow, just make sure you are
compliant. If you get push back, make the case that chasing dollars
presents a compliance issue with which you are uncomfortable. Reference
the Guidelines for Compliance by the OIG.
consultant who sold administration on the money. Over time we grew in
our knowledge and understanding of what we were doing, and why we should
be doing it besides optimizing reimbursement. We have since kept the
software of the consultant company (and upgraded), but done away with
the contracted audits & reports. We can generate the reports they
provided ourselves, and have them real time. A disadvantage to the
software is that if you want to build reports other than the "canned"
ones they provide, you have to pay for an additional training. We will
likely do that at some point as the budget allows. In the meantime,
their canned reports are pretty good, so we make do with those.
I think most of us understand that our work is about so much more than
money. As the auditing becomes more intense, I believe administration
will see that as well. My advice is to continue to do the work the way
it should be done. The money will follow, just make sure you are
compliant. If you get push back, make the case that chasing dollars
presents a compliance issue with which you are uncomfortable. Reference
the Guidelines for Compliance by the OIG.