decisionhealth Newsletters, Coder Pink Sheets - 2009 Issue 6 (June)
Avoid EMR compliance pitfalls
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Article Overview
This piece explains common compliance concerns tied to EMR use in physician practices, including automation, templating, and documentation integrity. It is aimed at coders, compliance staff, and providers who need to understand how EMR design and workflow choices can affect accurate documentation and auditing. The article also points readers to related Medicare and audit guidance resources.
Why This Topic Matters
EMRs can improve efficiency, but poorly configured templates, defaults, and carry-forward features may create documentation patterns that raise compliance risk. Understanding these pitfalls helps practices support accurate records and reduce audit exposure.
Article Sections
-
EMR implementation and coding compliance concerns
Introduces the need to evaluate EMR workflows before rollout and highlights the role of coding staff in implementation. The section focuses on general compliance considerations for documentation and system design.
-
Automated documentation and over-documentation risks
Discusses broad risks associated with default settings, favorites lists, templated content, and carry-forward features in electronic records. It addresses how automation can affect documentation consistency and audit readiness.
-
Medicare and oversight guidance
Summarizes guidance and concerns attributed to Medicare contractor and oversight sources. This section points to external references and related educational resources on documentation practices.
What You Will Learn
- Why EMR workflow design matters for compliance
- How automation features can affect documentation quality
- What types of documentation practices may attract audit attention
- Which organizations and guidance sources are referenced in the discussion
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Compliance officers
- Physicians
- Practice administrators
- Billing staff
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.


Quick, Current, Complete - www.findacode.com