This article emphasized that office-based physicians used to think that only hospitals had to worry about accurate codes for procedures on medical claims. That was before many physicians realized they were losing several thousand dollars a year through improper coding that either lowered reimbursement or forced the practice to re-submit claims. The present growth in the coding profession is from increasing awareness of compliance. Physicians are concerned about fraud and abuse investigations. With a professional coder, the physician's liability is lessened.
Coders are willing to help physicians document and get reimbursed appropriately.
The medical record is no longer a physician document but a legal audit document.