My capstone project at Marshfield Medical Center focused on comparing our coding department’s scheduling options, as well as other aspects such as paid time off (PTO), lunch breaks, and holiday policies, with those of Sanford Health’s facility and professional coding teams. The goal was to align our coding departments more closely. As part of this process, a new policy was introduced to the team, and new scheduling options were offered. We implemented new schedules for the coders who chose this option while ensuring adequate coverage for daily workloads.

Additionally, I had the opportunity to meet with each manager in the Revenue Integrity Team to gain a better understanding of their departments and their functions. We discussed a general overview of each department, as well as the types of reports they utilize for workflow, productivity, and audits.

I also met weekly with my site supervisor, where we reviewed various spreadsheets. She explained how she analyzes data on a daily or weekly basis to identify issues related to denials, error worklists, provider deficiencies, budgeting, and contract management. We also discussed which teams might be eligible for overtime based on the Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) allowance for each group.

The capstone project allowed me to apply my management skills while collaborating with management at various levels. It was beneficial that I had already established working relationships with many of the managers involved in the project.

Additionally, I had the opportunity to meet with different managers within the Financial Integrity department to gain a better understanding of their workflows and the specifics of each department. My site supervisor also took the time to demonstrate how data is utilized, going through the spreadsheets she uses daily or weekly for tracking purposes. Both experiences were invaluable, as they provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the entire process.

Overall, I believe the program and capstone have well-prepared me to pursue my career goals of becoming a coding manager and eventually advancing further in my career. The knowledge and experience we’ve gained truly open up limitless possibilities for our futures.