Step 1:
Patient records are captured at the healthcare facility using our Chart Scanning software which is provided as part of the service. The record is scanned, indexed and released to our server using our software. Specialized encryption technology is used to ensure secure transmission. Alternatively, the records may be copied to a CD and the the CD sent via overnight delivery to the attention of our Coding Scheduling Manager.
For those facilties with an EMR or that do not wish to use our software, the charts my be uploaded to our web site from our web site interface. The upload process encrypts the chart for additional security.
Step 2:
Once the images are received and secured on FirstCodeCentral's server, First Class Solutions, Inc. sm Coding Scheduling Manager assigns the records to one of our Coding Professionals with the skill necessary to code the type of records sent. Only this Coding Professional will be assigned access to the assigned records via an encrypted transmission. The Coding Professionals are allowed to view records only. No printing capability is permitted.
Step 3:
If one of our Coding Professionals has a question or needs additional documentation, they can send electronic requests back to the health care entity or ask questions of our Physician Advisors or Coding Director on-line. Once the coding is complete, the appropriate ICD-9cm and/or CPT codes and any comments are transmitted via fax or email back to the health care entity using a Coding Summary form. The Coding Professional will complete a Physician Communication form for each record requiring additional information or clarification for completion. This Communication form can be emailed or faxed to the client contact.
Step 4:
Patient record images remain on FirstCodeCentral's secure server for a thirty-day period to allow our Coding Director to perform quality checks on the accuracy of our Coding Professionals' work. After thirty days, the images are automatically deleted from the server or, if you prefer, we will copy the images on to CD-ROMs for the health care entity to retain. If the client provided us with a CD-ROM, our Coding Professionals will code these records on-site at our office. The CD-ROM will be retained for no more than two weeks and then returned to the client.
How much does this service cost?
For many clients, the cost of this service is less than the cost incurred for coding and travel of our Coding Professionals. FirstCodeCentral's Internet on-line coding service is provided on an all-inclusive rate per record or visit. There is no software to license. We will provide a no-obligation proposal. Compare our rates to others. A small fee will be issued for those clients who request that their patient record images be written to CD-ROMs and returned to them.
Who is FirstCodeCentral and First Class Solutions, Inc.sm?
First Class Solutions, Inc.sm is a diversified health care consulting and software developement firm. The company was started as a computer consulting firm in 1988 and added the healthcare division in 1989. In 1995, internet services were added and First Class Solutions became the 3rd largest ISP in the St. Louis region.The health care consulting firm provides a variety of services including Operational Assessments, Temporary Management, Short-term Coding Support, and JCAHO preparation.
For further information, refer to our website at www.firstclasssolutions.com
Since 1989, we have offered CodeCentral, a remote coding service via fax and mailed photocopies and FirstCopy, a release of information service. FirstCodeCentral combines the expertise of CodeCentral with our Internet expertise to provide secure, fast, and technologically advanced coding services for our clients. FirstCodeCentral is an Internet-based coding support solution that combines web-access to encrypted electronic images of patient records, with the ICD-9cm and CPT coding expertise of our Coding Professionals to perform remote coding services. First Class Solutions, Inc.sm Internet Professionals are prepared to accommodate any HIPAA mandated code sets to ensure privacy, security and unique health identifier, and have imbedded the latest security technology to protect the confidentiality of your patients' records. Oversight: First Class Solutions, Inc. sm is governed by a team of Health Information and Internet Professionals. Together this team of information security specialists have established procedures regarding security, privacy, and access to the system. These procedures are included in our employee orientation for FirstCodeCentral Coding and Internet Professionals.
Security: We established strict security safeguards long before it established FirstCodeCentral because as an Internet Access Provider it was managing client's proprietary information. FirstCodeCentral's servers are located inside our secured computer room. This facility is equipped with double communications redundancy to the Internet backbone, battery backup UPS and high-bandwidth communications. All systems have redundant components (power supplies, RAID drives, cooling fans, etc.) which limit downtime. Full backups are performed daily. Our building is physically secured with 24-hour monitoring by security systems and personnel. Designated code access is required to enter the building and access to the computer room is further limited to four (4) key personnel.
Do you want First Class Solutions, Inc.SM to be your ASP? We are willing to serve as your storage facility for your coders to access your records. Knowing your records are under a health information professional's supervision, provides a peace of mind not present or available with other ASPs.
*Client Site Requirements: The client is required to have a PC to connect to a scanner and to run our scanning software.. This PC does not need to be dedicated to the scanner. The specifications are a minimum of: Intel Pentium 512 MB RAM 30GB hardrive space for scanner & temporary image storage Microsoft Windows XP or higher, Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher and access to the Internet: The client should use the organization's existing access to the Internet, outside the firewall. There are no firewall concerns as there will be NO access into the organization's computer system.
Training/Support:
We will provide training and end-user support via telephone or web during the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday.
