Remote Coding - Is

it for You?

Virginia Outlaw, CPC, CPPM, CFPC, CPB

Agenda

• Definitions

• Pro vs. Cons

• Employee Suggestions

• Employer Expectations

• Employment Process

• Test

Definitions of Remote Work

• A remote job is performed away from the office

in a remote location, (i.e. home or on the road).

Office meetings can still be required.

• A telecommuting position is one where you

trade your commute for a home-based job (i.e.

telecommuting by telephone and computer).

Definitions of Remote Work

• A virtual job is the type of telecommuting job where most likely 100 percent of the job is performed virtually.

• Home-based jobs are those that perform from the home. It is also similar to a virtual job because most of the time, a job that is called home-based will be 100 percent done from the home without regular trips into the office for meetings.

Employee Pro vs. Cons

Positives

• Increased Income

• Increased Productivity

• Save money/ time traveling

to and from work.

• Obtain Full time employment

Negatives

• Income which is not reliable.

• Stability

• Lack of benefits

• Only able to obtain contract

employment

Employee Pro vs. Cons

Positives

• No office drama

• Flex hours at home

• Budget Savings

• Able to interact with family.

Negatives

• Isolation

• No face to face networking

• Pay IRS directly

• Family members expect too

much time.

Employer Pros vs. Cons

Positives

• Improve HR relationships.

• Productivity is improved.

• Bottom line improved.

• Real time access.

• Lower infrastructure cost

Negatives

• Culture changes

• Management challenges.

• Training costs.

• Infrastructure capability

• Loss of face to face interaction.

Remote Employee Suggestions

• Stay Connected. – Keep up with the industry trends.

• Contacts – Keep networking.

• Credibility – Reputation is at stake.

• Competence – Be good at what you do.

Set a Dedicated Office and Work Time

Remote Employee Suggestions

• Be able to prioritize.

• Troubleshoot – Research continuously.

• Motivate yourself.

• Communicate well.

• Value your time.

Focus, Focus, Focus

Just a Few More Suggestions

• Technical Skills – I.T. help is not always

available.

• Contact CPA for help on financial questions.

• Get the correct business work completed.

• Check on insurance.

Last Suggestions

• Pay your taxes Quarterly.

• Take a good look at your retirement plan.

• Keep resume updated.

What are Employers Looking For----

What are Employers Looking For----

• Integrity – Honest with the employer and

yourself.

• Intelligence - Level of common sense.

• Accountability – Take ownership.

What are Employers Looking For----

• Leadership Ability – Take charge; work without

direct management.

• Competence – Ability to complete the job.

• Courage – Speak up.

What are Employers Looking For----

• Perseverance – Inner Strength

• Modesty – Can outwork others quietly

• Marketable – Can present employee to clients.

What are Employers Looking For----

• Likeable.

• Action-oriented.

• Passion – Enjoy the job.

FINDING THE RIGHT JOB

Starting the Job Search

• www.aapc.com

• Jobs for American Coders (Facebook)

• Network at AAPC conferences.

• Codersdirect.com

• Google “remote coding jobs”

General Process

• Submit Resume.

• Talk to recruiter.

• Pass a computer internet speed test.

PASS THE EMPLOYER’S CODING

TEST

The Next Step

• Some employers also call for you to pass a

compliance exam.

• Talk to HR.

• Verify hours and pay.

• Receive equipment if provided.

Final Step

• Go through a training course.

• Receive your assignment and start working.

Test Time– This is an example only

How is septic shock sequenced?

When a patient is being treated for a

malignancy and is also dehydrated due to the

malignancy; the oncologist is treating the

dehydration only in the visit; how are the

diagnosis sequenced?

Test Time– This is an example only

When both CAD and unstable angina are

present in a patient and there is no other

diagnosis – a casual relationship is assumed.

True or False

Test Time– This is an example only

A patient presents to the ER for a myocardial infarction just 6 weeks after his first myocardial infarction which resulted in a week hospital stay. A code from I22 should be assigned as the primary diagnosis code for the second admission. True or False

Test Time– This is an example only

A lung transplant patient now has a malignant

mass of the right lower lobe. The correct

coding would be C80.2 category followed by a

complication code. True or False

How many endocrine hormones are there?

Test Time– This is an example only

How should “symptoms of catatonia” be

coded?

The modifiers P1 – P6 are used to describe

how much anesthesia is needed per the

patient’s weight. True or False

Test Time– This is an example only

Cardiologist saw a 72 year old male with a

myocardial infarction. He spent 180 minutes

from 8:00am to 11:00am during his time with a

patient in the ER as a consult. A 99205 was

coded. What if any additional E/M codes

should be used?

Test Time– This is an example only

Patient suffered a subdural hemorrhage with 1.5 hours loss of consciousness. The subdural hemorrhage was caused when the pick-up truck the patient was riding in crossed the marked divider line on the freeway and struck a car head-on. Code the primary diagnosis_________. Code all the secondary diagnosis ______, _______, ______.

Test Time– This is an example only

• 49 year old male with a PMHx of Sacroidosis with

pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension s/p bilateral

lung transplant and heart transplant on 08/2013

complicated by two episodes of CMV viremia with

leukopenia thought to be secondary to Cellcept which

was discontinued on 02/2014 presents for follow-up.

Patient seen today, feels very well without

complaints. No shortness of breath. Is walking on the

treadmill regularly. Patient says that he ate this

morning, which may be why his sugar is elevated this

morning.

Medications:

Mg-Ox 800 mg TID

Crestor 5 mg

Prednisone 5 mg daily

Exam –

General: NAD, well appearing

HEENT: PERRLA, EOMI

Pulmonary: lungs clear to auscultation bilaterally,

no wheezing or rhonchi

Cardiovascular: RRR S1 S2 normal

Abdominal: soft nt/nd

Extremity: no c/c/e

Assessment -

49 year old male with a PMHx of Sarcoidosis with

pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension s/p bilateral

lung transplant and heart transplant on 08/2013

complicated by two episodes of CMV viremia with

leukopenia thought to be secondary to Cellcept here for

routine follow up. Patient is overall stable from a

respiratory standpoint however has elevated fingersticks at

home. #sarcoid s/p bilateral lung and heart transplant

2013

#CMV viremia -resolved

#DM

Pulmonary Critical Care Fellow, PGY5

The patient was seen and examined by myself, Dr. Faculty

M.D. I discussed the case with the resident. I agree with the

above findings, impression, and plan as documented in the

resident's note . I reviewed the Patient's chart including all new

data. I spent 45 minutes with the patient exclusive of the

resident's time with the patient,most of which was spent

discussing the management and treatment Plan. Improved

spirometry compared to last visit and is asymptomatically

with high level of function. Immunosuppression therapeutic but

blood glucose remains poorly controlled and will increase

Starlix dose. Plan as noted above in the fellow's note.

Code the note.

• What is the E/M? __________

• What is the primary diagnosis? _________

• What are the secondary diagnosis? __________, ___________,

___________, ____________, ____________, ______________

• Are modifiers needed? If so what are the modifiers. ___, ____

Questions?? Thoughts??

Experiences??

Resources

• AAPC

• https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/truth-medical-billing-coding-jobs-from-home-marc-graham

• http://www.allalliedhealthschools.com/health-careers/medical-billing-coding/medical-coding-career-reasons/

• http://www.medicalbillingandcodingonline.com/student-guide/working-from-home/

• http://www.forbes.com