Coding Continuum, Inc. is an independent consulting firm providing litigation support in matters involving coding, billing, and reimbursement of medical claims. CCI professionals are experienced in interpretation of Federal, State, and private payer guidelines as well as assessment and evaluation of provider-payer issues, including allegations of inaccurate coding of claims, fraudulent claims submission, and improper billing practices. CCI has provided expert witness testimony in cases involving Federal and private third party payers. Coding Continuum, Inc. serves clients on a national basis. Our experienced professionals include RHIAs, RHITs, CCS-Ps, CPCs, CPC-Hs, licensed Professional Medical Coding Curriculum instructors, nurses, and specialists in billing, quality improvement, and utilization review. Areas of expertise include:
Medicare/Medicaid Fraud & Abuse
Forensic Audits
Compliance Audits
ICD-9-CM & CPT Coding
Evaluation & Management Coding
Document Analysis
DRG & APC Validation
Coding Education
Operational Assessments
Medical Record Review
For more information about the company, its services, and principals, visit our website at www.codingcontinuum.com.
Background
Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:A: Coding Continuum,Inc. employs a number of professionals, all of whom have professional credentials. In addition to Bachelor of Science degrees in the management of health information, CCI professionals are credentialed by both the American Health Information Management Association as well as the American Academy of Professional Coders. Credentials include Registered Health Information Administrator, Registered Health Information Technician, Certified Coding Specialist, Certified Coding Specialist-Professional, Certified Professional Coder, Certified Professional Coder-Hospital, and Radiology Certified Coder.
Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
A: Coding Continuum, Inc. professionals are members of the American Health Information Management Association and American Academy of Professional Coders.
Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
A: Coding Continuum, Inc. has three faculty members who are licensed both by the AAPC as well as the State of Arizona to teach the Professional Medical Coding Curriculum course. In addition, we provide education regarding coding and compliance to our clients. Several of our staff have extensive experience in public speaking, having conducted live and audioconference seminars for organizations such as HcPro,Decision Health, AHIMA, and the AAPC. In addition, we are frequently engaged to assist with articles in professional journals and serve on the editorial advisory board of a prominent HcPro publication.
Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
A: No.
Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
A: Coding Continuum, Inc. was founded in March of 2000. Since that time, we have been retained to provide expert services to attorneys on a national basis. Prior to founding Coding Continuum, Inc., several of its staff were retained to provide expert assistance as independent consultants.
Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: Coding, billing, and medical records documentation issues.
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
A: 50%
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
A: 50%
Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
A: This varies depending upon the Coding Continuum, Inc. professional retained. Coding Continuum, Inc. professionals have had depositions taken on numerous occasions.
Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
A: Coding Continuum, Inc. professionals had their depositions taken in August, 2003.
Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
A: Again, this varies by Coding Continuum, Inc. professional. Coding Continuum, Inc. most recently provided expert testimony in a civil action in December, 2003.
Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
A: Again, this varies by individual professional employed by Coding Continuum, Inc.
Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
A: This varies by individual professional employed by Coding Continuum, Inc.
Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
A: Document review, prospective and retrospective chart review and coding/billing analysis, forensic audits of coding/billing data, preparation of reports and data abstracts, operational assessments, medical record reviews, coding education, expert testimony.
Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
A: This information is available upon request.
Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
A: This information is available upon request.
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
A: This information is available upon request.
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
A: This information is available upon request.
Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
A: Travel expenses and those associated with copy fees are billed separately.
