Outpatient coders achieved higher average accuracy scores for the second consecutive year in Central Learning's nationwide ICD-10 coding contest.
Contest participants coded a total of 4,471 medical record cases using Central Learning, a web-based coding assessment and education application. Their accuracy and productivity levels were graded against Central Learning's answer key.
Here's what you should know:
1. Average outpatient accuracy scores have increased since 2016. Here are the average outpatient accuracy scores for the past three years:
2016: 38 percent
2017: 41 percent
2018: 42.5 percent
2. The average inpatient accuracy score decreased compared to 2017. Here are the average inpatient accuracy scores for the past three years:
2016: 55 percent
2017: 61 percent
2018: 57.5 percent
3. Outpatient scores remained lower than inpatient scores, regardless of how many years of experience coders had.
4. Amanda Hobson from Greenwood, Ind., achieved a 72.4 percent accuracy score, the highest for outpatient coding. Ashley Sparks from San Marcos, Texas, achieved an 87 percent accuracy score for inpatient coding, the highest score for that category. Together, Ms. Hobson and Ms. Sparks received a $5,000 cash reward.
5. Central Learning analyzes the contest results to identify coder skill gaps, opportunities for improvement and financial consequences.