decisionhealth Newsletters, Coder Pink Sheets - 2009 Issue 7 (July)
Avoid EMR compliance pitfalls
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Article Overview
This article is for coders, billing staff, compliance personnel, and physicians who use electronic medical records. It reviews general compliance concerns tied to EMR implementation, documentation practices, and automated record features, with references to payer and government guidance that highlight why accurate, individualized documentation matters.
Why This Topic Matters
EMR convenience features can create documentation patterns that draw compliance scrutiny if records do not accurately reflect the work performed. Understanding these risk areas helps practices reduce audit exposure and support correct coding workflows.
Article Sections
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Compliance risks during EMR implementation
An overview of why electronic record systems can create coding and documentation concerns when they are adopted in a practice. The section frames the role of coders in evaluating workflow and system setup.
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Automation, templates, and documentation concerns
Discussion of common EMR features that may affect documentation quality, including default settings, favorites lists, forward-populated content, and similar automation tools. The section focuses on broad compliance risks associated with these features.
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Medicare and OIG guidance references
References to Medicare carrier guidance and Office of Inspector General concerns related to electronic documentation practices. The section also points to related external resources and educational material.
What You Will Learn
- Why EMR implementation can affect coding compliance
- What general types of documentation practices may raise audit concerns
- How payer and government guidance relate to EMR record integrity
- Why individualized documentation remains important in electronic workflows
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Compliance professionals
- Physicians
- Practice managers
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