when looking at E & M, it counts Fever to 102.3 for three days as three things due to the descripters (unless I am wrong about that)
I would definitely count "fever 102.3 grade Fahrenheit x3days" as a single element. EDIT: THIS IS WRONG
Also, if it gives a 99214, where would it show that and how accurate is it?
The window would show it where it shows the 99213. Under the "Your likely code" text to the right. How accurate the tool is depends on how well you use your delimiters. And how well you use your delimiters depends on your knowledge of coding. Ultimately, the E/M Coding Helper is just that, a helper/tool. I wouldn't recommend using it if you don't know the ins and outs of coding.
At least that's my impression of it after reviewing it for a few minutes. The doctor doesn't use the E/M coding helper.
I'd recommend that all physicians learn more about coding. How deep you get into it will depend on whether or not you have someone to worry about that kind of stuff for you. There is a doctor named Paul Firth that holds a conference about medical coding called Coding Growth Strategies. He sells a DVD of his talks along with an accompanying 100+ page power-point booklet that you can complete while watching the DVD. It's very informative.
