By now, your practice is aware of the telehealth transitions, 2026 ICD-10-CM updates, and HCC changes. The challenge is turning this knowledge into smooth, everyday workflows that support accurate documentation, compliant coding, and proper reimbursement. This week, we’ll share practical strategies for integrating these updates into your practice operations.
1. Align Telehealth Workflows with Coding & Documentation
- Update visit templates in your EHR to capture required elements: patient location, mode of communication, consent, and clinical decision-making.
- Train staff on new billing rules to prevent claim denials.
- Audit telehealth visits periodically to ensure compliance.
2. Embed ICD-10-CM Updates into Daily Practice
- Use EHR prompts or smart phrases for newly added or revised codes.
- Educate providers on capturing complications, severity, and laterality for high-impact conditions (diabetes, CKD, cardiovascular, behavioral health).
- Conduct weekly or monthly chart audits to ensure new codes are being applied correctly.
3. Integrate HCC Documentation into Routine Workflows
- Maintain up-to-date problem lists and ensure all chronic conditions are documented during visits.
- Encourage clinicians to link treatment, labs, and referrals to each HCC condition for stronger coding support.
- Use EHR alerts to flag patients with missing HCC documentation.
4. Combine Changes into One Cohesive Process
- Standardize workflows: Align telehealth, ICD-10, and HCC documentation requirements into single visit templates where possible.
- Delegate strategically: Front-office staff can verify patient location and consents, while coders can review charts for HCC accuracy.
- Regular communication: Hold short team huddles to review coding updates, telehealth rules, and HCC capture strategies.
5. Audit and Refine
- Conduct targeted audits of high-risk services and complex patients.
- Track trends in coding errors or documentation gaps and address them proactively.
- Update workflows based on audit findings to prevent recurring issues.
Looking Ahead
Next week, we’ll wrap up the fall series with preparation tips for 2026.
By integrating telehealth, ICD, and HCC updates into your daily workflows, your practice can maintain compliance, optimize revenue, and provide consistent, high-quality patient care.
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