Integrative Medical Coding System Touted at Senate Hearing Following Successful Implementation in Dubai

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ABC Coding Solutions (www.ABCcodes.com) announced that adding their integrative medical coding system to conventional medical coding is a critical step if healthcare reform proposals are to succeed. Healthcare costs, quality and access were targeted at a recent Senate hearing. Implementation of ABC codes in Dubai Healthcare City demonstrates the potential in using the codes to manage and measure healthcare services provided by non-physicians.

ABC codes (currently 4,500) document healthcare services provided by advance practice nurses, chiropractors, acupuncturists, behavioral health and other non-physician professionals who are authorized to direct-bill insurers.

Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) began using the ABC codes in 2008 to assist in regulating and measuring complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). DHCC is an innovative project within the United Arab Emirates, offering a world-class center of excellence for clinical and wellness services, medical education and research.

DHCC has partnered with global leaders such as the Mayo Clinic, Harvard University, The German Heart Center and Boston University to become a leading healthcare destination in the region.

Dr. Ayesha Al Mutawa - Vice President of the Center for Healthcare Planning and Quality (CPQ) at DHCC commented on the addition of the integrative medical coding system: “ABC codes will assist in processing claims, performing clinical audits, clinical validation and research. DHCC is also participating in expanding the list of ABC codes to incorporate service offered by healthcare providers at DHCC.”

Testifying before a D.C. Senate hearing on integrative medicine in February, Brian M. Berman, M.D., Director of the Center of Integrative Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, advocated adoption of ABC codes to support integrative medical coding and healthcare reform. “The existing medical coding does not adequately represent the services delivered by the vast majority of licensed health care practitioners (2.7 million nurses, 150,000 nurse practitioners and all of the complementary medicine providers), therefore accurate actuarial data cannot be generated to sort out what works from what does not. ABC codes have been successfully piloted in several of the state Medicaid programs and demonstrated real healthcare costs savings.”

Melinna Giannini, Founder and CEO of ABC Coding Solutions said: “Two clear messages are emerging from Washington:

• Prevention and wellness programs can and should play an important role in fixing U.S. healthcare, and
• Conventional and alternative treatment effectiveness must be based on data to justify inclusion in new benefit plans

Our unique system enhances current medical coding systems, and supports both political goals. We are inviting interested parties to contact us to learn more about how ABC codes are used to realize healthcare costs savings without having to retool established health insurance business processes.”

About ABC Coding Solutions

ABC Coding Solutions develops copyrighted codes and patented technology that fill critical information gaps in the healthcare industry. The company also provides consulting for developing insurance plan benefits, managed care contracting and payment systems that maximize direct consumer access to qualified caregivers. ABC Coding solutions are the developers of www.ZipClaims.com, the only system that maps patented scope of practice logic to medical codes to validate appropriate payments for non-physician interventions. Visit ABC Coding Solutions at www.ABCcodes.com.

About Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) - http://www.dhcc.ae/

For more information on the Senate Hearing on integrative medicine - http://help.senate.gov/Hearings/2009_02_23/2009_02_23.html