13 leading computer-assisted coding vendors

The need for computer-assisted coding is on the rise

More healthcare providers are relying on computer-assisted coding software in the wake of the shift to the ICD-10 coding system nearly three years ago. The technology generally culls through physicians’ notes to ensure the right codes are submitted to payers for billing. CACs primarily work with a natural language processing engine, which when used with the right algorithm, can aid in finding potential missed reimbursement opportunities.

Providers say the key is to look beyond the technology to find a CAC vendor that will work with the provider throughout the training and implementation process, and is committed to communicating well and sharing best practices, says KLAS, a research organization that focuses on HIT.

Below is a list of some of the leading CAC technology companies.

3M Health Information Systems

Corporate headquarters: Murray, Utah

3M software combines coding references with natural language processing technology, automatically suggesting codes to integrate with clinical documentation improvement. The NLP technology enables coders to review autosuggested codes and helps them build a rich data library, useful for future coding.

For more information: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/health-information-systems-us/

Alpha II

Corporate headquarters: Tallahassee, Fla.

Easy Coder from Alpha II is its web-based coding tool that enables administrative and clinical staff to look up codes and perform edits in one program. CodeWizard is Alpha II’s development solution designed to improve the revenue cycle, enabling software developers to implement complex coding and editing logic in a fraction of the usual time. CodeWizard can be implemented through cloud-based web services and can be embedded into any practice management system, EHR or hospital information management system.

For more information: https://www.alphaii.com/

Care Communications (CIOX Health)

Corporate headquarters: Alpharetta, Ga.

Care Communications, a division of CIOX Health, works with hospitals and health systems nationally to address coding vacancies, to improve coding quality, enhancing clinical documentation, implementing RAC and MS-DRG solutions, redesigning processes to implement electronic records or enhancing leadership skills.

For more information: https://www.cioxhealth.com

ClinNext (SabiaMed Healthcare Technologies)

Corporate headquarters: Caguas, Puerto Rico

ClinNext helps guide users to the appropriate ICD-10 diagnosis and, in some cases, automate the conversion from one code system to another. This helps ensure that users are selecting the most specific, billable, ICD-10 code for a particular diagnosis category. It embraces ICD, CPT/HCPCS and Morphology coding systems, and a compliance module allows for both interactive and batch auditing of accounts.

For more information: http://www.clinnext.com/index.html

Dolbey Systems

Corporate headquarters: Concord, Ohio

Dolbey offers healthcare software solutions for healthcare dictation, medical transcription, speech recognition, computer-assisted coding and clinical documentation improvement. Dolbey’s voice and text solutions help to facilitate a collaborative workflow process. The company says its Fusion product increases productivity by using patented machine learning technology.

For more information: https://www.dolbey.com/

ezDI

Corporate headquarters: Louisville, Ky.

ezData Intelligence (ezDI) technology integrates clinical data along with all patient data together in one enterprise CAC platform. ezCAC aims to improve coding accuracy, efficiency and productivity, empowering coders to make faster, better-informed coding decisions that simplify and streamline coding processes.

For more information: https://www.ezdi.com

IDS

Corporate headquarters: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

IDS can help automate the coding process is with Natural Language Processing (NLP), which can improve coding consistency and accuracy. By applying algorithms, the technology scans clinical documentation and suggests appropriate medical codes, such as ICD-10 or SNOMED to assign to the case. It can automatically extract key phrases from dictations or reports created by providers and maps terminology that is clinically relevant to codes.

For more information: http://www.idssite.com/client-solutions/surgery-centers/coding/

M*Modal

Corporate headquarters: Franklin, Tenn.

M*Modal’s Fluency for Coding is a cloud-based enterprise coding platform focused on making efficient workflows as a foundation to drive coding productivity and quality. It features CAC with Fluency Reveal (NLU/CAC), Fluency Coding Bridge and integration with M*Modal’s CDI Collaborate, leveraging the company’s natural language understanding technology.

For more information: https://mmodal.com

Navigant

Corporate headquarters: Chicago

Navigant brings together more than 700 consulting professionals and industry thought leaders to assist health systems, physician organizations, payers and life sciences companies in designing, developing and implementing integrated, technology-enabled solutions for healthcare organizations. It uses an interdisciplinary approach drawing on experience from healthcare executives, clinicians and physicians.

For more information: https://www.navigant.com

nThrive

Corporate headquarters: Alpharetta, Ga.

nThrive’s solutions include medical coding software and outsourcing services, health information management outsourcing and technology, medical transcription services, oncology data management and clinical documentation improvement. Its solutions combine technology, advisory services, outsourcing and education designed to integrate clinical and financial operations.

For more information: https://www.nthrive.com

Nuance Communications

Corporate headquarters: Burlington, Mass.

Nuance Clintegrity Coding improves coder efficiency and optimizes quality for accurate ICD-10 coding by bringing together tools to accurately review, analyze, code and audit inpatient and outpatient claims within a single platform. It provides programs for facilities and physician practices, in addition to software that addresses compliance, abstracting and enhanced workflow.

For more information: https://www.nuance.com/index.html

Optum

Corporate headquarters: Boston

Optum 360 provides CAC programs for hospitals and physician practices. It links codes to clinical documentation for an improved audit trail and helps organizations resolve claims before patients are discharged. Optum 360 facilitates coding collaboration between payers and providers.

For more information: https://www.optum360.com

Streamline Health Solutions

Corporate headquarters: Atlanta

Streamline Health CAC is available standalone or as a solution integrated into a provider’s existing information systems. It works with coders for both inpatient and outpatient charts. The solution displays the suggested code sets along with corresponding documentation, and indexes the entire patient chart to help ensure accurate coding.

For more information: https://www.streamlinehealth.net