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Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Encounter Reporting

By Brent Jones


Many people across the United States believe that there are a lot of improvements that need to be made in relation to our health care system and the rising costs. It is a topic that has had the national spotlight for years, and one that is still controversial, especially with the Affordable Care Act put in place by the Obama administration. As the cost of health care is still rising, there are many areas that are being focused on and improved both in the administrative and care capacities such as encounter reporting.

Encounter data can be described as the information collected about a patients visit, doctor and nurse interactions, as well as any services rendered or treatments recommended. Encounter data is an important part of any type of health care facility as it is used as both patient history as well as a means to gain reimbursement of compensation from a patient's health care plan. There are a number of benefits of ensuring that encounter data is correctly recorded and then reported to health insurance companies or other government sponsored programs.

Encounter reporting can be used as a way to accomplish a number of goals. Accurate reporting that is provided in a timely manner will return quicker reimbursement periods which will help facilities with cash flow. When encounter reporting is done poorly, the reimbursement amounts will decrease and the time between services rendered and reimbursement will increase.

It is off of this type of encounter reporting that many companies will calculate their risk adjustment, or how much a plan member is likely to cost over the span of one year. The more extensive the data, the more able these companies are to accurately calculate the risk adjustment numbers.

When there is more extensive as well as accurate data reported through the encounter data system, it will allow for a more comprehensive calculation of reimbursement funds. In addition, the more extensive encounter data and reporting becomes the better quality of care a patient will receive. It allows health care providers to create a more comprehensive plan. When data and encounter reporting is limited it makes it more difficult for other care providers to have a complete grasp on the patient's health status and past treatments or symptoms.




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