Documentation and the Medical Record

1. Documentation and the Medical Record Chapter 7

2. Learning Objectives • Define the term medical record. • State the connection between the medical record and insurance billing process. • Recite principles for the release of medical information for various situations • Explain reasons for medical record documentation • Name various types of reports that make up a medical record. • Name various types of medical review and state what an audit or medical records entails. • Explain techniques used to maintain confidentiality of faxed documents. Chapter 7

3. Learning Objectives • Respond appropriately to the subpoena of a witness and records. • Express the purpose of a compliance program and recite elements that lead to a successful program. • State ways to prevent legal problems and lawsuits • Performance Objectives • Abstract data from the medical record, including date of service,place of service, and elements of a history and physical examination (subjective & objective information)chief complaint,symptoms,diagnosis, and procedure or service. Chapter 7

4. Attending physician audit backup comorbidity Compliance program Concurrent care Consulting physician Continuity of care documentation external audit family history (FH) History of present illness (HPI) internal review medical record Key Terms Chapter 7

5. medical necessity morbidity mortality objective finding ordering physician past history (PH) performing physician physician examination (PE or PX) referring physician review of systems (ROS) social history (SH) subjective information subpoena treating physician Key Terms Chapter 7

6. The Medical Record • Understanding the Medical Record and Documentation Guidelines is the Foundation to learning the skill of medical record abstraction. • This skill takes time to learn and improves each time it practiced. • Developing a methodical system to abstract information from a Medical Record is the first step in mastering this job skill after the basic foundation has been laid. Chapter 7

7. The Medical Record • A Medical Recordcan be defined as a Legal Document displaying written or graphic information detailing facts and events during the rendering of patient care. Chapter 7

8. Abstracting Information from a Medical Recording • Information to Complete an Insurance Claim Form • Date of Service (DOS) • Place of Service (POS) • Type of Service (TOS) • Diagnosis (dx or DX) and; • Procedures & Services Chapter 7

9. Abstracting Information from a Medical Recording • Key to substantiating Procedure & Diagnostic Code selection for Reimbursement: • Documentation (must be) • Accurate,legible,specific,clear, and concise • Must have sufficient detail to describe the level of service provided & all procedures performed Chapter 7

10. Abstracting Information from a Medical Recording • Sending a Letter to Justify a Health Insurance Claim • When submitting a health insurance claim form the Medical Insurance Billing Specialist makes decision as to whether additional documentation is needed to substantiate the claim • Additional documentation include: • Chart notes, • Operative report, or • Discharge summary Chapter 7

11. Abstracting Information from a Medical Recording • Request from an Insurance Company • Insurance companies may request information about: • Pre-exiting conditions • specific diagnoses • Or because the patient is applying for some type of insurance. • Sufficient detail to describe the level of service provided & all procedures performed • To avoid liability have physician read information to verify that the information is accurate. • Send the information to the Insurance Company with a note to state. “Please Read”. Chapter 7

12. Photocopying the Medical Record • Insurance Company • Sent a duplicating service to the physician’s office to photocopy records • Standard time is set aside in the physician’s office for this service • Remove records to be copied from the chart • Have the physician review the records, and • Be sure a consent or authorization is in place to release medical information. • Advise the photocopy company of the standard fee prior to duplicating records. • If information communicated in the records are beyond standards, physicians can request a fee based on the length of report or form, and bill using CPT code 99080. Chapter 7

13. The Documentation ProcessSOAP • Subjective Information (S) • Reason for the encounter, chief complaint, symptoms. • Objective Findings (O) • Facts and finding. • Data from physical exam,x-rays,laboratory and other diagnostic tests • After all Objective Information is Obtained: (A)&(P) • The Physician Assesses the subjective and objective information • Put it all together, and formulates a diagnosis and a Treatment Plan. Chapter 7

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16. Record Systems • Three basic types of record systems used by most physician’s offices: • The problem-oriented record • The source-oriented record • The integrated medical record • Each system incorporates subjective & objective information, along with the assessment of the patient and the formulation of a treatmentplan. Chapter 7

17. Record Systems 1.Problem-Oriented Record System (POR) • POR system organizes information within the medical record according to patient problems. • Four parts of the system include: • A database • Problem list • Initial plan and • Progress notes Chapter 7

18. Record Systems 2.Source-Oriented(SOR) • SOR system the most common paper-based management system, arranges information in the medical record according to its source, or according to the practitioners who are the source of the treatment, as well as of the data collected. • Advantage • Is the speed which a specific sheet of information can be located • Disadvantage: • The lack of a clear picture portraying a specific patient problem, because the documentation related to it is filed in different sections of the medical record Chapter 7

19. Record Systems 3. Integrated Medical Record • Integrated medical records files all documents in chronological order, regardless of their source. • Each episode of care is clearly defined by date, except laboratory test results. • Depending on the practice: • Laboratory Test Results/Reportsare defined in a separate section of the medical record. Chapter 7

20. Documentation • Documentation- details chronologic recording of pertinent facts and observations about a patient’s health, as seen in chart notes and medical reports; entries in the medical record such as prescription refills, telephone calls, other pertinent data. Chapter 7

21. Documentation • Methods of Documentation: • Handwritten • Computer Input • Dictation & Transcription Chapter 7

22. Documentation • Physician’s title defined in the Medical Record: • Attending Physician – refers to the medical staff member who is legally responsible for the care and treatment given to a patient • Consulting Physician – is a provider whose opinion or advice regarding evaluation and/or management of a specific problem is requested by another physician. Chapter 7

23. Documentation • Ordering Physician – is the individual directing the selection, preparation, or administration of tests, medication, or treatment. The Attending Physician can also be the ordering physician. • Referring Physician – is a provider who sends the patient for testing or treatment. • Treating or performing Physician – is the provider who renders a service to a patient. Chapter 7

24. Documentation • Medical Record Fraud • Tampering with a medical record is a Fraudulent Act • Considered a criminal offense • Sanctions can include a monetary fine, prison time or both. • Litigation • Scientific test can be done to determine the record’s validity. • Paper and ink can be analyzed • Writing instruments can be determined, and indentation analyzed to determine if alterations took place. Chapter 7

25. Reason for Documentation • Avoidance of denied or delayed payments by insurance carriers who investigate the medical necessity of service. • Enforcement of medical record-keeping rules by insurance carriers who require accurate documentation that support procedure and diagnostic codes • Subpoena of medical records by state investigators for review by the court • Defense of a professional liability claim. Chapter 7

26. General Principles of Medical Record Documentation • Documentation Guidelines were developed by HCFA (Health Care Financing Administration) Now known as “Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)”, for Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), Evaluation & Management services in 1995, and later modified in 1997. Chapter 7

27. General Principles of Medical Record Documentation • Development of Guidelines • Came from auditing by Medicare of physicians’ medical recordsand discovering that the quality of documentation needed to be improved. • The Medical Necessity of procedures and services that had been performed were not stated clearly in the medical record. Chapter 7

28. General Principles of Medical Record Documentation Medical Necessity – the performance of services or procedures are consistent with the diagnosis, in accordance with standards of good medical practice performed at the proper level, and provided in the most appropriate setting. • If a treatment is questioned as to whether it is medically necessary, the authorization to perform the treatment orthe payment may delayed or denied. Chapter 7

29. General Principles of Medical Record Documentation • Documentation Guidelines For E/M: • Detailed and lengthy • They state all the elements necessary to keep a complete record on the patient • States chart entries should be dated and signed including what each encounter should contain • Which diagnoses need to be stated • The patient’s health risks, the patient progress • What role consulting physicians have in the care and treatment of the patient • How treatment plans should be written Chapter 7

30. General Principles of Medical Record Documentation • Documentation Guidelines For E/M(Cont): • Procedure & Diagnostic codes reported on the health insurance claim form or billing statement should be supported by the documentation in the medical record • Documentation in the medical record should be written at a level that a clinical peer could determine if the services have been accurately coded. • A list of commonly used abbreviations should be complied and posted throughout the office to ensure consistency when documenting the medical record • Chart entries should be dated, and signed including the title or position of the person signing • Write neatly, & use a permanent, not water-soluble, ink pen (legal copy pen) Chapter 7

31. General Principles of Medical Record Documentation • Corrections to the Medical Record • Use a legal copy pen and cross-out incorrect entry using a one single line • Write the correct information and then date and initial the entry • Malpractice • If pending, never erase, white-out, or use self-adhesive paper over any information recorded on the patient record. • Documentation should answer questions, not raise them! Chapter 7

32. General Principles of Medical Record Documentation • Missing Documentation • An addendum may be preferable. • Addendum to the chart should include the original chart note that is being added to and the date it was prepared/transcribed • Signed by the physician or the person adding additional documentation • Addendum should be entered in or attached to the chart after the last entry. • If there are entries between it and the original entry, a cross-reference at the original entry should be noted (see Fig. 7-3, page 178) Chapter 7

33. General Principles of Medical Record Documentation(Medical Terms used in Documentation) Medical Terms used in Documentation Concurrent Care – is the provision of similar services (e.g., hospital visits) to the same patient by more than one physician on the same day. Usually, there is the presence of a separate physical disorder (heart, arrhythmia) at the same time as the primary admitting diagnosis. • Example: A General Internist admitted the patient for diabetes and request a cardiologist to follow the patient’s arrhythmia. • When billing the insurance company for services, both physicians’ services must be identified on the claim form to avoid duplication and denial of services. Chapter 7

34. General Principles of Medical Record Documentation(Continuity of Care) • Continuity of Care – Continued treatment of a patient who is referred by one physician to another for the same condition. • Example: If a cancer patient receives chemotherapy treatment from his or her oncologist and is then referred to a Radiologist for radiology treatment, both physician’s are responsible for providing arrangements for the patient’s continuing care. • The referring physician (Oncologist) must provide records to the Radiologist. • The Radiologist must provide a reasonable appointment time & follow-up to ensure that records needed to perform the service are in his or her possession. Chapter 7

35. Components of A Medical Record • Medical Record – Written or graphic information documenting facts and events during the rendering of patient care. • Operative Reports – consent to perform special treatment or services. Chapter 7

36. Components of A Medical Record • Content of a Medical Report based upon: • Complexity of service • New PT • Established PT • Documentation of History • Based on 1997 Guidelines • History • CC(chief complaint) • HPI(history of present illness) • ROS (review of systems • PFSH (past, family, and/or social history) Chapter 7

37. Components of A Medical Record • History • Chief Complaint – a brief statement, in the patient’s own words, describing the reason for the encounter; such as a symptom, problem, condition, or finding. • History of Present Illness – is a chronological description of the development of the patient’s present illness from the first sign and/or symptom or from the previous encounter to the present. • Review of System – is an inventory of all body systems obtained through a series of questions that are used to identify signs and/or symptoms that the patient has experienced or might be experiencing. Chapter 7

38. Components of A Medical Record • Past, Family, and Social History (PFSH) – consist of: • Past History (PH) – patient’s past experiences with illness, operations, injuries, and treatment • Family history (FH) – review of medical events in the patient’s family, including diseases that may be hereditary or place the patient at risk. • Social history (SH)review of past and current activities depending on patient’s age. • Documentation of Physical Exam • Physical examination (PE or PX)– consist of the physician’s findings by examination and/or test results of organ systems or body areas. • The Extent of the exam depends on the clinical judgment and the nature of the presenting problem(s). Chapter 7

39. Components of A Medical Record • Documentation of Medical Decision-Making • The physician must look at the number of diagnoses and treatment options, the amount and/or complexity of data to be reviewed, and the risk of complication and/or morbidity or mortality. • Morbidity – diseased condition or state • Mortality – number of deaths in a given time or place • Comorbidity – underlying disease or other condition present at the time of the visit. Chapter 7

40. Components of A Medical Record • Documentation for Requesting Outpatient Services • When a physician orders outpatient services to be done at another facility, documentation on the order must include: • Date of order • Patient’s name • Service ordered • Diagnosis or signs/symptoms • Physician’s signature Chapter 7

41. Legalities of a Medical Record • Consent form must be signed and in patient’s medical record • Faxing Confidential Information • AHIMA (The American Health Information Management Association) advises that fax machines “should not be used for routine transmission of patient information.” Chapter 7

42. Legalities of a Medical Record • AHIMA recommends that documents should be faxed only when: • Hand or mail delivery will not meet the needs of immediate patient care or; • Required by a third party for ongoing certification of payment for a hospitalized patient. Chapter 7

43. Legalities of a Medical Record Fax Machines must be secure or restricted access. • A cover sheet must be used with the transmission. It must contain: • Date, Name of sender with fax & telephone number • Name of recipient with fax & telephone number • Total number of pages, including cover sheet • Statement privileged & confidential. Chapter 7

44. Legalities of a Medical Record What not to Fax(status of) • Financial information & documents containing information on sexually transmitted diseases • Drug or alcohol treatment • Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) • Psychiatric records Chapter 7

45. Legalities of a Medical Record • Transmittal Destination • To ensure Fax has reached correct destination: • Arrange a scheduled time for transmission with the recipient. • Telephone the destination to verify receipt. • Request that the authorized receiver sign and return an attached receipt form at the bottom of the cover sheet after receiving the faxed information. • Send the fax to a coded mail box that only allow a receiver who has the code that was used to fax the information to activate the printer. • Arrange with the recipient to block out the name of the patient’s Social Security number Chapter 7

46. Legalities of a Medical Record • Faxing Legal Documents • Criterias are the same for faxing confidential documents, except: • The attorney must be consulted to make sure that the documents (contracts, proposal, etc) requiring signatures are legally binding if faxed. • Subpoena • Must have the physician prior approval • The attorney usually employs a person or a duplication service to photocopy records that are under subpoena. • Prevention of Legal Problems • Insurance Billers must follow guidelines topic entitled “Prevention of Lawsuits” Chapter 7

47. Data Storage • Medical Record Retention • Preservation of medical records is governed by State and Local Laws. • Policy of Physicians • To retain medical records of all living patients, indefinitely • Records such as x-ray films, laboratory reports, and pathologic specimens probably should also be kept indefinitely • Deceased patients’ charts should be kept for at least 5 years. • Calendars, appointment books and telephone logs should be filed and stored. Chapter 7

48. Data Storage • Financial Document Retention • Keep Tax Records for 7 years • And Tax returns permanently • A federal regulation mandates: • that assigned claims for Medicaid and Medicare be kept for years. • Destruction of Medical Records • Shred no longer needed • Maintain a log of all destroyed records, showing the patient’s name, date of birth, SS#, date of last visit, and date destroyed Chapter 7

49. Auditing a Medical Record • Audit – is a formal, methodical examination or review done to inspect,analyze, and scrutinize the way something is being done (e.g., bookkeeping practices, medical record documentation, insurance claim filing practices). • The purpose of an audit • Is to verify that the documentation support the services and proceduresthat are being submitted to the patient or insurance carrier for payment and that proper care is being provided. Chapter 7

50. Auditing a Medical Record • During performance of an Audit a Point System is used: • Points are awarded only if documentation is present for elements required in the medical record • The Point System is used to show where deficiencies occur in medical record documentation. • Also used to evaluate and substantiate proper use of diagnostic and procedure codes. • Managed Care Organizations (MCO), Government & Private Insurance carriers who have a contract with physicians have the right to audit medical records and may claim refunds in the event of accidental or intentional miscoding. • If improper coding patterns exist and are not corrected, the provider of service will be penalized. Chapter 7