[solange]

I am new to home health, and I've got a question about coding techniques. Is it legal to code a diagnosis on patients when doing a recert for conditions that no longer exist? I'm having a few concerns about the agency that I'm with right now.

[caliotter3]

I think you already know the answer to your question. The next question is how pervasive are the concerns and practices that you have seen that you do not agree with and are you going to remain with this employer? If they are really into bad practices, you know that there may be a very high price in the future for keeping your mouth shut and going along with the status quo. It is your decision if, and when, and under what circumstances, you should leave. Your can leave this employer without anyone knowing the reasons why. It is up to you to decide what you can sleep with at night.

Also, make certain that what you are questioning is not simply a matter of a misunderstanding or a different way of looking at something. Sometimes, we can come to the wrong conclusion about an issue until we find out everything involved. Maybe somebody just forgot to change the code over time. I've seen so much clerical errors and lack of administrative stuff being up to date,. Most agencies could justify a temp person just to come in and clean up their clerical backlog. You know, start from scratch, with everything up to date and correct, and see how long it takes for things to get out of date again.

[solange]

Thanks..I am so new since I've only worked in a hospital. No, I don't know that much about Medicare regulations. This place uses an external coder and I only know the first name. We have argued before. They seem to routinely pull from the old codes to max everything out.

They were all bragging about how much money they were making, now they're pleading poverty and becoming very paranoid. Some bullying has started with me since I brought up this and several other issues.

This has been extremely upsetting to me. And a real ruin to my resume.

[caliotter3]

It's only a ruin to your resume if they fire you. Secondarily, if you resign, and then someone there badmouths you to a prospective employer. After reading your second post about this, if I were you, I would actively start seeking a new opportunity. And when you find your new opportunity, take it, and make up a reason for changing jobs. Try to smooth things over with these people until you get away from them. Good luck.

[solange]

Well, this has been an experience. This is a very, very small company. I resigned. On the spot.

Being told to backdate ROCs (I refused). Trying to charge for items not used (I refused). Recerting pts. who merely need teaching (refused). And on & on.

And the bullying! The weird phone calls. Really, nothing more than a bunch of common thugs.

Gee, I'm so scared.