The Top 9 Questions Every Medical Coder Asks about

Risk Adjustment and the CRC™ Certification

The Top 9 Questions about Risk Adjustment and the CRC™ Certification

Polls

*Are You Certified?* What is your interest level in the CRC™ certification?

The Top 9 Questions about Risk Adjustment and the CRC™ Certification

Chandra Stephenson CPC, CIC, COC, CPB, CPCO, CPMA, CPC-I, CCS, CANPC, CEMC, CFPC, CIMC, CGSC, COSC, CRC, CCCCCO Program Director

Alicia ScottCPC, CPC-I, CRCCCO Education Director

Alicia ScottCPC, CPC-I, CRC

CCO Education Director

● Worked in the medical field for 26 years ● CCO Education Director● CCO Student Coach● CCO Risk Adjustment Course Developer and Instructor● Known as the “ICD-10 CM Guru” of CCO● Created and presented two ICD-10-CM Courses for CCO:

- "ICD-10-CM (Diagnostic) Full Course"- 80 hours- “ICD-10-PCS (Procedural Coding System) Training Course”

● Specialist in Diagnostic Coding and HCC Risk Adjustment● Working towards Masters Degree in Health Care Administration● Passion for education● Pastors Wife with 6 Children (10-28) | Married 29 years● Never had a cavity :)

Who is Alicia Scott ?

Who is Chandra Stephenson ?

Chandra Stephenson CPC, CIC, COC, CPB, CPCO,CPMA, CPC-I,CCS, CANPC, CEMC,CFPC, CIMC, CGSC, COSC, CRC, CCC

CCO Program Director

● CCO Program Director● CCO Risk Adjustment Course Developer and Instructor● CCO Student Coach● National ICD-10 Trainer for AAPC● Representative for the Great Lakes Region on the AAPC's 2013-2015

National Advisory Board.● Extensive experience in centralized billing, family practice,

cardiology, GI, mental health, anesthesia, and multi-specialty environments.

● Adjunct college instructor in medical coding● Compliance auditor for one of the largest healthcare systems in

Indiana |Big 5 consultant● Currently an independent consultant and enjoys finding ways to

simplify the world of coding accuracy and education.● Holds a CRC credential along with: CPC, CIC, COC, CPB, CPCO, CPMA,

CPC-I, CCS, CANPC, CEMC, CFPC, CIMC, CGSC, COSC, and CCC● Chandra has two miniature dachshunds, Buster and Cozy.

● Chandra has over 13 years coding and auditing experience

The Top 9 Questions about Risk Adjustment and the CRC™ Certification

What We’ll Cover

1. Short History and Explanation of Risk Adjustment Coding2. Is the demand for risk adjustment coding and a CRC™

credential increasing? What’s the BUZZ around CRC™?3. Does a CRC™ certification result in a higher salary?4. Does a CRC™ credential make you more employable?5. Does the CRC™ designation only include HCC risk

adjustment coding? Only Medicare?6. Is RA seasonal coding?7. Do you need to be a CPC® certified coder first? 8. What about ICD-10 in RA?9. Is there more to just RA than coding?10.How much auditing is needed for RA?

Short History and Explanation of Risk Adjustment Coding

●What risk adjustment (RA) is–The purpose of RA–Where RA originated–Which plans are RA plans

●Why understanding RA coding is essential

●How RA differs from traditional coding

●Why there are an increasing number of RA plans

Is the demand for risk adjustment coding and a CRC™ credential increasing?

Does a CRC™ certification result in a higher salary?

Does the CRC designation only include HCC risk adjustment coding? Only Medicare?

No, the CRC™ certification exam includes questions on all areas of risk adjustment, including the different methodologies: ● Medicare Part C (CMS HCC)● Medicare Part D (CMS RxHCC)● Medicaid (CDPS)● ACA Marketplace Plans

(HHS HCC)

Is Risk Adjustment Coding Seasonal in Demand?

Risk Adjustment work is full time, year round. There is reason some people think it is seasonal.

● Three pulls a year ● MA plans that work with contracts● Hiring policies

RA jobs have changed in the past few years● Not just MA plans risk adjust● Greater demand for RA coding

Do You Need to be a CPC® Certified Coder Before CRC™ ?

Alicia’s Point of View Chandra’s Point of ViewYou must have a thorough knowledge of coding.

Confidence in abstraction

Quality vs. Quantity - 98%

Have to love ICD-10-CM

Great starting point in the field if you are willing to learn

Requires willingness to ask questions and ability to research

What about ICD-10 in Risk Adjustment?

That is what it is all about! ● ICD-10-CM is diagnosis coding. ● Language of risk adjustment● Capturing illnesses that risk adjust● Chronic disease

Is There More to Risk Adjustment Than Just Coding?

Yes!● Different RA Plan types and components● Record reviews, audits, and data submission

requirements● Risk score calculations● Quality care impacts (STAR, HEDIS)● Documentation improvement● Communication

How Much Auditing Knowledge is Needed for Risk Adjustment Coding?

Identify problems in a medical encounter is what an auditor does. ● Understand clinical documentation● Understand the disease process to back up a code choice● Medical record format

Will the CRC™ Help You in Other Medical Coding Areas?

The Top 9 Questions about Risk Adjustment and the CRC™ Certification

Polls

* NOW what is your interest level in the CRC™ certification?

What things should you look for when when choosing a Risk Adjustment coding course?

● Are there testimonials from real students?● Can I talk to previous students?● Is this credential a good fit for me?● Is the instructor certified?● What is their goal?● What is covered in the course?● How much does it cost?● How long does it take to complete the course?● How long do I have access?● Do I need to purchase books/manuals● Is there a guarantee? ● Does it look to good to be true?

What We’ll Cover: Questions YOU Should be Asking

1. What things should you look for when choosing a Risk Adjustment coding course?

2. Will the CRC™ help you in other medical coding areas?3. What other skills with Risk Adjustment coding help me

improve?4. What advantage will the CRC™ give me for career

advancement?5. BONUS: Your Questions in the Chat

The CCO Risk Adjustment 2.0 Course

A Complete “No-Fluff” Course That Will Teach You

The Core Essentials of Risk Adjustment AND

Prepare You For The CRC™ Exam

http://www.cco.us/rawebinar

The Top 9 Questions about Risk Adjustment and the CRC™ Certification

* Who is the right kind of coder to start the CCO RA Course 2.0?

Risk Adjustment 2.0 Course Contents40 Equivalent Hours

http://www.cco.us/rawebinar

The CCO Proven Process

Testimonials and Reviews

http://www.cco.us/testimonials/

Testimonials and Reviews

https://www.facebook.com/cco.us/reviews

Questions In The Chat- RA Webinar

Your Webinar Chat Team

CHAT QUESTIONS

Is CRC better than CPMA?

Question: I have a quick question, I'm currently studying for the CPMA test. Is the CRC better than the CPMA?

CRC before job as HCC Coder

Question: Would it be better for me to get the CRC before I try to get a job as an HCC coder or get a job and the experience while I study for the exam? TIA :)

CRC and Specialties

Question: I currently have CPC, CEDC and on 8/1 I am going to take my CRC. My employee originally told me they don't recognize the CEDC. How would CRC fit into specialty certifications.

Remote work for RA

Question: How do I find a mentor to take me under their wing? I currently volunteer at my local hospital. Maybe there? AAPC local chapter member?I heard Alicia mention remote work for Risk Adjustment. I would very much need that due to a chronic medical condition. I know you can't start out in remote coding.

Pathophysiology and Pharmacology

Question: Should you know pathophysiology for RA coding? What about pharmacology?

RA vs no Billing Background

Question: Would you say it's easier for someone with a medical billing background to get into Risk Adjustment vs someone with no billing background?

CRC Work

Question: Does CRC work on facility or Dr's office? If it works on facility charts, does it code separate with regular charts or does it together?

CRC™ Practice Exam Question

Question:What does a CRC™ Exam Question look like? How do we work through an exam question?

ANSWER

Alicia Scott, CPC, CPC-I, CRC

CCO Education Director

The Top 9 Questions about Risk Adjustment and the CRC™ Certification

Need help? Not sure what to do next?

Email: helpdesk@cco.us CALL US TOLL-FREE AT (877) 225-0713

or visit the CCO help desk at https://helpdesk.cco.us/support/home

Happy CRC™Coding!