5 coding and billing mistakes that reduce trauma center revenue

Authored by:
Angie Chisolm, MBA/HCM, BSN, RN, CFRN, TCRN
President and Managing Partner

As published by Trauma System News

Too many trauma programs are clinically strong but financially troubled. When this happens, hospital leaders may consider downgrading their trauma designation or even closing their trauma center. 

In my experience, this is usually unnecessary. The real problem is that no one in the hospital is an expert in trauma coding and billing. Often hospitals don’t even pursue reimbursement beyond the DRG payment. As a result, the trauma program misses out on legitimate reimbursement opportunities. 

While trauma center coding and billing are unique, they can be mastered with some attention from management. The first step is to understand the following five mistakes. 

1. Failing to register trauma patients as type 5

2. Only considering physician time when billing for critical care

3. Ignoring the effect of non-reimbursable trauma activations on hospital costs

4. Failing to assign UB-04 208 for trauma patients who receive intensive care

5. Only considering how CMS reimburses trauma

Read the full article:  5 coding and billing mistakes that reduce trauma center revenue