The Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice of the Southwest Region (VNAHSR) is pleased to announce that Ann Pollock, RN, BSN, COS-C, HCS-D, recently passed the Home Care Coding Specialist-Diagnosis (HCS–D) exam through the Board of Medical Specialty Coding & Compliance (BMSC), the credentialing arm of the Association of Home Care Coding & Compliance (AHCC).
The HCS-D credential is earned by professionals with advanced skills in classifying medical data from home health patient records. Coding specialists review patients’ records and assign numeric codes for each diagnosis. Pollock, through the exam demonstrated expertise in the application of ICD-10-CM conventions and guidelines and in-depth clinical knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy/physiology, disease processes, pathophysiology, and pharmacology. Professionals with this designation are able to use their coding knowledge to better work with clinical staff in understanding complex coding principles and guidelines, and to ensure proper reimbursement from payer sources.
Pollock, a 26-year employee of the VNAHSR began her career as a staff nurse and has held a variety of managerial positions. She was recently named Clinical Informatics Specialist.
About the Association of Home Care Coding & Compliance (AHCC)
AHCC is the community for professionals who are dedicated to providing quality care in post-acute care settings and establishing, meeting, and maintaining standards of excellence in their area of expertise. AHCC’s credentialing arm, the Board of Medical Specialty Coding & Compliance (BMSC), offers professional credentials, including the only nationally accredited home health coding credential that tests coding skills exclusively, the Home Care Coding Specialist—Diagnosis (HCS-D), and the Home Care Clinical Specialist – OASIS (HCS-O) .
AHCC also engages in advocacy activities that focus attention on the vital role home care plays in meeting the national goals of ensuring affordable, quality care for all, while lowering health care costs.
