DocuComp LLC
The Answer to Clinical Documentation Training

Medical necessity comprises the severity of illness and the intensity of service. While physicians typically detail this intensity of service in clinical documentation, they often fail to demonstrate the severity of illness.
For instance, a patient who is intubated and receiving supplemental oxygen might have their diagnosis listed as simply ‘respiratory insufficient.’ To insurance companies, this term may not adequately justify intubation or supplemental oxygen. However, by using a more specific phrase like ‘acute respiratory failure with hypoxemia,’ physicians can significantly impact reimbursement outcomes.

In an ideal world, physicians would efficiently complete reimbursement requests to insurance companies, preventing payment denials. However, many physicians lack proper training in using precise terminology to justify the necessity of care provided to patients. Even doctors who excel at documentation still encounter reimbursement request rejections.

This is where DocuComp excels. The company offers comprehensive clinical documentation improvement and integrity training by partnering with medical practices and hospitals. Its team provides courses in denial warning and appeal management, equipping physicians with effective strategies to establish medical necessity and appeal care denials.

DocuComp’s CEO, Dr. Keith Stokes, is a practicing physician, hospitalist, and clinical medical director. Dr. Stokes intimately understands the challenges physicians face when documenting their work accurately and promptly while juggling multiple patients and responsibilities. He empathizes with how dealing with insurance companies can make physicians feel constantly scrutinized, eroding their confidence and causing disillusionment.

“We are able to gain a high level of buy-in from the clinicians we partner with because they understand that we are not here to second-guess them,” says Stokes. “We are here to offer an easy way for them to understand the job they are doing and do it just a little bit differently so that the quality of care they provide is evident in the documentation.”

DocuComp empowers physicians to receive the reimbursement they rightfully deserve by instructing them on how to effectively and precisely communicate the practice of medicine.

It assists clinicians in understanding the distinction between hospitalization for observation versus admission for an acute condition. Misunderstanding this can result in doctors only receiving reimbursement for observation services, even if the patient required a higher level of care. This can lead to a significant financial loss, ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 per patient.

Most recently, one of DocuComp’s clients, a residency program, faced this issue. Through training, residents learned to document the severity of the illness and the intensity of treatment accurately. Instead of listing just ‘pneumonia’ as a diagnosis, they began specifying the cause, such as ‘pneumonia secondary to COVID-19’ or ‘viral pneumonia.’ Consequently, the program’s Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG) rate and case mix index rate showed remarkable improvement.

With a focus on cost reduction, compliance, and customization, DocuComp’s Fixed and Variable Rate (FAVR) program proves to be a valuable asset for businesses of all sizes. Its dedication to simplifying complex processes and offering tailored solutions showcases its leadership in the field.

It’s crucial to emphasize the impact of DocuComp’s services on clinicians’ confidence. The challenges physicians face when dealing with insurance companies can be emotionally taxing, eroding their confidence and leading to disillusionment. DocuComp’s training not only improves documentation practices but also helps clinicians regain their confidence by ensuring that their documentation is comprehensive, accurate, and capable of justifying the care they provide.

In the evolving landscape of healthcare documentation, DocuComp stands out as a trusted partner for medical practices and hospitals. Led by a practicing physician who understands the intricacies of clinical care, the company empowers clinicians to navigate the complexities of documentation, medical necessity, and reimbursement effectively. Through their courses and guidance, DocuComp helps healthcare professionals recapture their love for practicing medicine while securing the reimbursement they rightfully deserve. As they continue to adapt to regulatory changes and provide tailored solutions, DocuComp remains at the forefront of improving the quality of patient care and financial outcomes for healthcare organizations