Affective Competency IX.A.1. Utilize tactful communication skills with medical providers to ensure accurate code selection

Conditions:

Simulate a meeting in which a medical assistant discusses with a medical provider the importance of and the methods needed to achieve correct coding for reimbursement. Make sure you understand how to demonstrate tactful communication. Tactful communication means that you are being respectful, honest, and courteous. Refer to the textbook for information about accurate coding, reimbursement, and ethical considerations for coding. Refer to the attached grading rubric.

Consider the following scenario as you complete the following affective competency assignment. Remember that for an affective competency, you are to demonstrate critical thinking and explain how you would react or respond to the situation.

Scenario:

You are an experienced medical coder and have recently been hired at South Shores Surgery Associates. You have been on the job for 6 weeks and have been seeing a trend that charges are being downcoded. (This means choosing a code that is less specific than it should be and would cause reimbursement to be lower.) The required documentation is present in the operative reports, but one provider, Dr. Forte, has been selecting less specific codes for several of the surgical procedures that he normally performs. Your goal is to explain to Dr. Forte the importance of accurate code selection for all procedure types, as well as to explain the ethical considerations of medical coding.

Task: Complete your paper using a Microsoft work document with MLA formatting. You do not have to submit a work cited page.

1. How would you request to meet with the surgeon? Display professionalism as you describe your plan to meet with the surgeon to discuss the situation.
2. What kinds of things would you say to him? You may use a script if that is helpful. Make sure to explain your findings and respectfully explain your experience and understanding of medical coding.
3. Demonstrate tactful communication to explain the relationship between accurate code selection and reimbursement for his services.
4. Demonstrate tactful communication as you educate Dr. Forte on the importance of following ethical standards related to medical coding.