AH216 Week 2 Discussion
National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI)
An advance
clinical coding specialist/medical coder must have some knowledge of National
Correct Coding Initiatives (NCCI). Research NCCI and describe who maintains the
rules, purpose NCCI and what NCCI policies are based on. Finally relate NCCI to
your day to day activities as a coder.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction: National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) is an important aspect of clinical coding that every medical coder should have knowledge of. In this answer, we will discuss who maintains the rules of NCCI, its purpose, and policies. We will also relate NCCI to the daily activities of a medical coder.
Answer: The National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) is a program developed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in collaboration with the American Medical Association (AMA). CMS is responsible for maintaining the rules of NCCI. The main purpose of NCCI is to prevent improper coding and billing practices that may result in payment denials or fraud. The policies of NCCI are based on a set of coding principles, such as medical necessity, bundling, and global surgical packages.
As a medical coder, NCCI affects my day-to-day activities in several ways. First, I must ensure that all codes assigned to a patient’s chart comply with NCCI policies. This means that I need to identify codes that may result in a potential billing error or rejection due to NCCI edits. Second, I must be familiar with the NCCI policy manual and keep up-to-date with any changes in the policy. Finally, I need to use NCCI edits to prevent coding errors and ensure accurate reimbursement for services provided.
In conclusion, National Correct Coding Initiative is an important aspect of clinical coding. Every medical coder should be aware of who maintains the rules of NCCI, its purpose, and policies. NCCI has a significant impact on a medical coder’s daily activities, and adherence to NCCI policies is critical to prevent improper coding and billing practices.
