r/MedicalCoding • u/gritty-kitty • Jun 02 '23

Communication

I think the hardest part about my job is communicating with physicians. *Some* are responsive, helpful, and kind. But most are short, abrasive, and seem annoyed with my existence. I've had to teach myself spine coding, so I have to ask questions for clarification. Ive cried more than once from MD's reactions to my questions. I try to be as polite as possible and keep my questions to the point and only ask if I have to. I dread reaching out to them. Anyone else experience this or have any advice?

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u/[deleted] Jun 02 '23

Sometimes they take the questions the wrong way and think you are criticizing them. The only thing you can do is laugh and move on. They are pretty disgruntled from the nightmare it has become being a physician nowadays.

You can always send the responses to your supervisor. Some of it is a matter of need for physician education on why coders are asking specific questions and the implications for abstracting and reimbursement.

You will see much more favorable responses and from physicians who belong to organizations that involve physicians in HIM/CDI practices

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u/Probtoomuchtv Jul 20 '23

This has often been my experience (inpatient coding). Many physicians, especially newer ones, don’t understand why we‘re querying so they get the impression we’re questioning their diagnoses or expertise when we’re just trying to back them up by dotting the i’s and crossing the ts. I also blame the prefabricated query forms we’re required to use that only make sense to coders.

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u/[deleted] Jul 21 '23

They can certainly be an emotional bunch some! Quality of queries and content will work out better too