I don't agree with the idea of templates... I think they make for voluminous cookie cutter records of limited use... but I agree that they were an inevitable result of the "bullet point" method of reimbursement.
I do not see how they can call it fraud if you examined every bullet in the list. You are documenting exactly what you did. If anything, perhaps your exam has been conformed to the bullets/billing. I do not see how they could make this argument. They forced us here through their system of paying for bullets. There are only so many bullets you can use. At least AC is better than some charts, where you are forced to click on the bullets and it puts them into the chart for you. i.e. Patient has NASAL DISCHARGE, and ITCHY EYES. Abdomen shows NO GUARDING and NO TENDERNESS. We all love reading notes like this!
