A New Title for Coders

In this week's Hands-on Help column titled "Automating the Coding Process," authors Leslie A Fox, MA, RHIA, FAHIMA, and Patty Thierry Sheridan, MBA, RHIA, discuss the role of computer assisted coding (CAC) and its impact on the coding function and the coding professional.

The article provides details on the different types of CAC and how the new technology creates new roles for skilled coding professionals.

"New coding professionals will be learning a completely different set of competencies than today's coders," explained Kathy Johnson, RHIA, director of coding services at CARE Communications. "Coders will be in positions that require interacting with providers, understanding documentation and reimbursement requirements, and knowledge of quality measures and reporting."

In the article, Johnson goes on to say, "The coding professionals will play a significant role in educating providers and working with them on the use of documentation terminologies and tools. It's critically important for coders to have a role in the EHR implementation right now. They can help providers define documentation requirements including where to record documentation in an EHR and the structure of that documentation. This involvement will make a difference in reflecting accurately the codes that translate the services and complexity of care provided. Expert coding editors will also be in positions to mine and analyze data."

With coders learning new skills and job responsibilities changing, Fox stated, "I am wondering if at one point you would envision the title coder changing to something else. Although throughout this discussion we have been using coding editor, I don't think the title really captures the expertise needed to assure accurately coded clinical data. Editing traditionally refers to changing or preparing text for publication. Clinical coding is so much more than that. I like data quality experts, which denotes mastery of a body of knowledge related to clinical data input and output accuracy."

So, what do you think? Fox, Sheridan and Johnson are asking for your thoughts on a new job title for coders. What should future coders, working with CAC, be called? We'll take your suggestions and create a reader opinion poll. Please enter your suggestions below in the comments section.