Was Valerie’s approach to discussing the situation with Barbara appropriate?

Overview

Answer the following questions after watching the video “Encoder System Update.”

1. Was Valerie’s approach to discussing the situation with Barbara appropriate?

2. Why are the updates to the coding system important?

3. When Barbara learned that the updates were not completed, she listed several concerns with the delay. In your opinion, which issue would be of greatest concern, and why?

4. Assuming Barbara consulted with Vanessa, how do you think the conversation went?

Submission Instructions

Use this activity to submit your answers to your instructor. Instructions:

1. Prepare a document, answering all four questions above.

2. Save to your local computer. Include your last name in the file name.

3. Click the Browse button below to find and select your saved document, and then click Submit Assignment for Grading.

Your document will be uploaded to your instructor’s drop box for this course.Transcript
Ch 10: Apply Yourself Video: Encoder System Update
[ Music ]

[ Knocking ]

>> I’m sorry, Barbara, but I have to talk to you right now.

>> You know, I’m not the greatest judge of human nature but now, correct me if I’m wrong, but it seems to me like you’re upset about something.

>> Yes. I’m a little ticked off. All right. I’m really ticked off. I just got done talking with our wonderful coding supervisor. And I —

>> What’s the problem?

>> The October 1st code updates haven’t been installed yet. And today’s October 1st and it’s 4:30 p.m. so guess what? It looks like it’s not going to happen today. Tomorrow morning I have to code the October 1st discharges.

>> And when you explained this to Vanessa, calmly, I hope, she said what?

>> She said that there are only a few changes this year and that most of them won’t affect us anyways because we don’t do transplants and burns. “Don’t worry about it,” she says. She says, “No problem.” Yeah. No problem for her.

>> Well, OK. Now, I understand the problem. I agree with you completely. And if Vanessa actually said no problem then she’s wrong. It actually will be her problem. It’ll be a problem for a lot of people.

>> I think it’s going to be mostly my problem.

>> Not at all. First of all, let me tell you I had no idea that the code updates weren’t installed. The fact that they’re not installed is not your fault.

>> Thank you. It’s a relief to hear someone say that.

>> If the discharges get miscoded because the updates aren’t installed, that opens us up to a whole lot of other problems. You know the rule of GIGO, garbage in, garbage out. But we’re not just looking at poor quality data; we’re looking at everything that flows down from there, improper reimbursements, even the potential for a fraud investigation.

>> Whoa.

>> Whoa is right. And CMS is no longer giving us a grace period, which means we have to address this issue now, meaning right now. So why don’t you and I go and see Vanessa and see if we can get those code updates installed tonight.

>> Thank you.

>> Thank you. You just kept a small problem from becomicixng a much, much bigger one.

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