Posted By Giovanna Stahl
There’s a lot of debate in the world of healthcare about international coding. “Does international coding really save that much money? How safe is it? Aren’t there enough coders here in the United States?” — these are all common questions that healthcare providers ask when addressing their medical coding needs?
There is a lot of misleading information and false rumors floating around that make some providers shudder at the thought of using coders abroad. However, the truth is that international coding is a great model that offers US healthcare providers a multitude of benefits.
Security
Often, the biggest reason many healthcare facilities hesitate to use international medical coding is security. They may fear that looking overseas for coding services means compromising security and that this alleged increased security risk will outweigh the benefits of a more affordable option. They are, of course, right to be cautious when it comes to their security, but what many of them don’t realize is that international coding does not actually compromise security. International coding providers are well aware that a security breach would mean a loss of business for their clients, not to mention would compromise patients’ confidential medical records. Because of this, coding providers take extra measures to ensure their clients’ — and their patients’ — security.
These companies build secure facilities in which the international coders will work. Even though the work is being conducted overseas, an expert medical coding provider will maintain the tightest security measures and ensure that all sensitive information and practices are kept private. As an added measure, most international coding companies will promote transparency and report to their clients about their processes.
An Abundance of Work
The adaptation to ICD-10 procedures in recent years has contributed to draining the pool of qualified coders here in the United States. Healthcare facilities have struggled to spend time and money retraining their coding staff, and many coders who were certified in the former coding practices did not want to learn a brand new set of procedures and left the field. This has created a gap of time in which the newest set of medical coders have yet to be trained and enter the coding workforce, leaving a shortage of US-based coders.
However, there is an abundance of well-trained and qualified overseas medical coders who can meet the demand. International coding companies require their coders to earn the necessary certifications, such as from AAPC and AHIMA, making them just as qualified for medical coding as domestic coders. This abundance of workers overseas also helps keep costs down for healthcare providers without sacrificing quality and accuracy.
Reduced Cost
Outsourcing coding services might seem like a costly endeavor to some healthcare providers, but using international coders is a very financially appealing option. It’s far more affordable to use an experienced coder from another country than to find, hire, train, and pay a US-based coder who is new to the industry. As mentioned, the abundant pool of candidates in other nations helps to keep costs down, where the smaller availability of coders in the US with a rising demand can end up costing you more than you bargained for.
Partner with the Right International Coding Company
Of course, the key to reaping these benefits of international coding is to select an expert outsourced coding company. ECLAT Health Solutions offers the most secure, efficient, and accurate international medical coding services. All of our coding experts are well-trained in ICD-10 procedures in addition to maintaining HIPAA compliance. We love working closely with our clients as an extension of their company to help them reach and exceed their operational goals by customizing our services to fit your facility’s needs. This unique approach is what our satisfied customers call ‘The ECLAT Advantage’.
To learn more about how we can serve you, call us today at (703) 665–4499, or fill out our contact form!
Tags: Coding, International Coding, Medical Coding, Offshore Coding
