Home Health and Hospice Coding

[Pam Barosh]

Has anyone looked into home health or hospice coding or know anything about what certifications are required? I know they have different organizations that offer specialty certifications for home health or hospice. Just curious if anyone ever worked in one of these areas and knows more about what employers might be looking for in those specialties.

 

[Alicia Scott]

Home Health and Hospice are a niche market. They do have a specialty credential for HH. Most all of the HH coders were CPC's and what some of the offices would do is higher RN's who were also coders so that they could fill out some of the clinical documentation. The focus for HH is usually ICD.
Here is a link to start your research. I have been out of the loop for a long time. Like all specialty coding research where you are going to get training. Be careful and do the research before you purchase. http://www.medicalspecialtycoding.com/homehealth.aspx
These guys offer a basic ICD-9 training (very basic) study guide free: http://www.medicalspecialtycoding.com/pdf/ICD-9_Basics_web.pdf

So this is how I would focus on Home Health coding. Be a CPC and let them know you love ICD-9 and ICD-10. That will peak their interest. Personality is big here. It is a close knit office usually. Be able to get alone with all personality types. Then he let them know you are willing to seek the specialty certification for HH if they wish you to get it. FYI it is not as hard as the CPC.

 

[Pam Barosh]

Thanks for the info Alicia. I will check out that website and see what certifications they have. I became interested in looking for other specialty options in coding after taking a course at Weber State University in the HIM program and we were discussing different types of facilities HIM professionals can find employment. I have always been so focused on working in acute care hospitals that I had not really looked into other options such as long-term care facilities, home care, hospice, and behavioral health. I may even look at other specialty certifications that AAPC offers later down the road, once I have passed the CPC (probably will take that exam in the next month or two)!