Ascend
Medical coding out-sourcing service is offered nationally to a
wide variety of clients including hospitals, clinics, HMOs and
physician practices.
Ascend
iSmartCODER®
is a state-of-the-art HIPAA compliant secured SSL Internet
based coding system. It offers a full integration with HIPAA security
guidelines. Ascend's coding
out-sourcing service solution includes advanced technology components
such as DES encryption, access security based on digital signatures,
secured nation-wide VPN network and an advanced scheme of user
privilege assignment management. Ascend
staff also goes through mandated background checks. Collectively,
this work flow offers the most comprehensive HIPAA compliant coding
solution.
Ascend
coding services excel in the following areas:
- Service
Coverage
- Faster
Turn Around Time
- Flexible
Source Documentation High Quality of Reports
- Efficient
and Compliant Coding Systems & Services
- Pricing,
Contract & Savings
- Others
Service
Coverage
Ascend
provides 7 days a week, 24 hours per day; and 365 days service
and support coverage to all our clients. Round-the-clock coverage
aids our client hospitals and clinics in providing better patient
care.
Faster
Turn Around Time
Ascend
meets each client's individual turn around time for coding services.
Ascend generally completes
accurate, complete and compliant coding from the client provided
source documentation within 24 hours.
Flexible
Source Documentation
Ascend
iSmartCODER®
system accepts various types of source documentation from the
client including:
- Electronic
Transcribed documents
- Scanned
charts and other printed documents
- Electronic
medical records in HL7, X.12, EDI, XML, Word processor and other
data formats
The source
documentation is received from each client under HIPAA compliant
secured transfers.
High
Quality of Reports
Ascend
coding reports meet the highest quality standards. Ascend
guarantees quality of the coding reports. Ascend's
coding staff ensures accurate coding. Automated edit check guards
are built in to prevent under or over coding of documents. Prompt
and efficient electronic dialog is maintained with client in the
event of inadequate source documentation.
Ascend
coding
reports along with the source documentation is electronically
retained and archived for the length of the agreement and for
a six (6) year period. This permits easy retrieval, review and
audit.
Reports are
provided electronically to the client. Option is available to
client wherein coding data along with patient demographics are
provided in digital interface mode for the client's billing system.
This eliminates possible re-keying errors and reducing the data
input time.
Efficient
and Compliant Coding
Ascend
utilizes certified, trained coders and state-of-the-art system
- iSmartCODER®.
Unlike other systems Ascend's iSmartCODER®
provides automatic built-in edit checks significantly reducing
a time consuming manual decision tree process imposed by other
systems. In addition each coder has an access to the extensive
electronic resources including constant on-line, electronic updates
to the DRG codes and explanation/interpretation support. In addition,
automated client feedback support is also available to the coders
to correct the deficiencies in the source documentation.
Systems
and Services
Ascend
provides service coverage through its multiple network centers
located around the country. This distributed network environment
provides redundant backup for the round-the-clock service coverage
with full redundancy, back-up and high uptime.
Compliance
Ascend
complies with CMS HCFA (coding guidelines), CCI (Correct Coding
Initiative), LMRP (Local Medical Review Policies), HIPAA (electronic
transfer and security), JCAHO (confidentiality and security),
AAMT (quality) and SmartCOUNT®
(billing) guidelines.
Pricing,
Contract & Savings
Ascend
offers unique pricing arrangements - firm, fixed rate by report
types. Ascend pricing is all-inclusive
- telecommunications charges, equipment and support are included
in our rate. There are no incremental or hidden charges. Ascend
offers multi-year, firm, fixed-price contracts easing the budgeting
process for all our clients.
Ascend
coding service does not require any capital investment such as
including system and software purchase; on-going annual support
and maintenance fee nor client faces escalating wage and benefit
cost of an in-house operation.
Ascend
coding service reduces cost burden by eliminating capital investment,
escalating wage cost while providing accurate coding resulting
in faster reimbursement. Ascend
coding services makes overall cost savings between 30% and 50%
feasible.
Ascend
provides detailed, verifiable billing with client specified billing
breakdown.
Others
We offer services
to the entire facility or a single department. Just call us for
a no-obligation proposal.
