How is the Cheat Sheet for ICD-9 Used?
1.
Many users of the Cheat Sheet are the people who do the coding. They
use it instead of other references because it saves them so much time and most of them
have other duties besides coding. We have had surveys returned that say the user cut
coding time by 75%! A lot of them! That surprised even us. Cutting time
to code by 40-50% is common. That can be a lot of time freed up for other things!
Coders use the cheat sheet also because it eliminates
a common error. In other coding books there are codes that must have a 4th or 5th
digit attached. When you are in a hurry it is sometimes easy to leave off a digit.
Then the carrier sends it back for correction. In the Cheat Sheet each
diagnosis and procedure is literally precoded. When you look one up, the code you
find is complete, up-to-date and accurate. Nothing more is needed so you can't leave
off a digit.
2. In some home health agencies the clinicians in the field do the
coding (nurses, PT's, MSW's, etc). This speeds the process if a specimen has to be
delivered to a lab and the lab requires an ICD code. It also frees time for people
back at the office to do other things. Sometimes codes will be more accurate
this way. If there is a question about the wording used by the physician or about a
procedure, the clinician is probably in contact with the physician already and can clarify
easily.
3. In many companies the intake department initiates coding.
The nurse (usually) who takes a referring call codes the primary diagnosis at the time of
referral - for the reasons given in #2 above - and then the coding staff completes the job
later.
4. Many "non-coders" also use the Cheat Sheet; people who need
to reference a code periodically and don't want a huge book taking up space and want it to
be fast and easy. People like patient care managers, trainers, and QA.
5. The types of companies known to be currently be using the Cheat
Sheet include: home health care, hospices, pharmacies, PT clinics, medical clinics, labs, private
medical billing companies, and nursing homes.
We would love to hear from anyone who uses the Cheat Sheet differently or
wants to give other
feedback.
Email us or fax us toll free at 1.888.326.3701
"I have received this wonderful copy of the Cheat Sheet...It has made my life so much easier...." Y.B., St Josephs Home Care
"Send the 12th edition. I have been using the 11th edition and love it!" V.S., Chicago
"I would be
lost now if I did not have a copy!"
T.F., Raleigh NC
"We are delighted with our first copy of the Cheat Sheet and are ready to order 10
more."
F.M., Rockville MD
"A real time saver!" E.R., Chicapoo MA
"Easy, quick and accurate. Great job!" D.S., Ohawa IL
"It has proved to be very helpful to our home care nurses..." P.S., Durand WI
"The list of abbreviations is wonderful!" L.F., Appleton WI
"...A nurse in our agency has used this book and feels it is a wonderful tool for home health nurses...Please provide information for ordering." P.S., Monahans TX
"I just started working with ICD-9 codes and really appreciate the ease of finding a code." annonymous
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