Summary
This technical report evaluates the implementation of the CPT II Automation Tool developed by athenahealth, in partnership with CORE, to streamline the billing process for CPT Category II codes. The report outlines the significance of automating the submission of Quality Data Codes (QDCs) in the context of value-based payment (VBP) models, which aim to enhance care quality while reducing costs. The study design includes an eight-question survey assessing the resources required for CPT II coding tasks before and after the tool's implementation. Key metrics analyzed include the duration of implementation, the number of VBP contracts supported, and the allocation of full-time equivalents (FTEs) to coding tasks. Findings indicate that while the number of FTEs remained stable, the automation tool shifted the focus of staff time from burdensome tasks to less intensive activities. The report concludes that automation facilitates better resource allocation and engagement in value-based contracts without eliminating the need for human oversight.
