In the alphabet soup of healthcare IT, some acronyms matter more than others. When it comes to reimbursements, the importance of Hierarchical Condition Categories (HCCs) cannot be overstated.
HCC codes are critical to reimbursement
HCC codes lie at the heart of a payment methodology used by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to determine capitated payments for Medicare Advantage (MA) and other Medicare programs. These codes allow payments to be risk-adjusted based on patient complexity, leading to increased payments for high-risk patients. CMS requires that all diagnosis codes be reported to the highest level of specificity.
Specificity matters to your bottom line
For providers, the implications are clear – the ability to document with greater specificity and precision can dramatically impact payments. The chart below illustrates how precise clinical documentation can boost payments.
| Diagnosis | ICD-10-CM | HCC | Premium Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diabetes with no complications | E11.9 | 19 | $894.40 |
| Diabetes with diabetic neuropathic arthropathy | E11.610 | 18 | $1094.40 |
| Diabetes with hyperosmolar coma | E11.01 | 17 | $1094.40 |
| Diabetes with ESRD | E11.22, N18.6 | 18, 136 | $1273.60 |
| Diabetes with ESRD on chronic dialysis | E11.22, N18.6, Z99.2 | 18, 136, 134 | $1475.20 |
Consider an HCC strategy
In our white paper, Get the right reimbursement for high risk patients A proven strategy for managing Hierarchical Condition Categories (HCCs) in your EHR, we not only outline a proven strategy to maximize your HCC capture but also discuss:
- What HCCs are
- How much money a lack of specificity is costing you
- A solution to effectively capture HCCs in your EHR and maximize reimbursement
