OptumInsight, a provider of health information, technology and consulting services, announced that more than 30 U.S. hospitals have deployed its Actus computer-assisted coding (CAC) solution to realize exact hospital and physician reimbursement, enhanced financial performance and ICD-10 readiness.
The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th revision (ICD-10) is a medical classification list for coding of diseases, signs and symptoms, abnormal findings, complaints, social circumstances and external causes of injury or diseases as maintained by WHO.
For hospitals and physicians, ICD-10 documentation means eight fold increase in codes. OptumInsight asserted that the Actus CAC software solution will help them prepare for this new development. The company explained that the CAC accelerates the coding process without sacrificing accuracy or compliance by assisting coders with suggested and traceable reimbursable codes through OptumInsight’s proprietary and patented Natural Language Processing (NLP) technology, LifeCode.
By effectively capturing codes tied to each chart, one can realize accurate billing of medical procedures, tests and services, improves the productivity of coding teams and provides consistent, reliable reimbursement and revenue management.
One of the users of the Actus CAC software acknowledged that they were concerned with their ability to maintain best practices in the face of ever-expanding audits and the implementation of ICD-10. With Actus, they believe they will be able to increase coder productivity, enhance accuracy to improve case mix index, reduce coding timeline and prepare for ICD-10 changes.
Officials with OptumInsight commented that the addition of Actus CAC will help hospitals, physician groups and billing services improve financial performance – even while faced with today's complex reimbursement requirements and clinical documentation. From smaller hospitals and physician groups to large and complex health systems, organizations are recognizing the impact that Natural Language Processing (NLP) technology provides to CAC by helping them deliver efficient and accurate reimbursement of patient care.
The company added that its Actus CAC with LifeCode NLP is a strong solution for improving revenue integrity and for mitigating the financial impacts of the ICD-10 conversion.
In other news, OptumInsight recently announced that Benton Davis and Nick Howell have joined the company's payer solutions business as senior vice president, Clinical Communities and Networks, and senior vice president, Operational and Administrative Efficiency Solutions, respectively.
Nathesh is a contributing editor for HealthTechZone. To read more of Nathesh's articles, please visit his columnist page.Edited by
Jennifer Russell
