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The quick codes now display three across. IMHO, it would be clearer and easier to find CPT codes (and it would be nice to have a similar scheme for ICD9 quick codes) if they were displayed in a long list (sortable by Alpha Description or Code). If more than one screen is required, a second/third column can appear (but it should be like newspaper columns rather than being sorted across the rows as it is now).

Ideally, it would be nice to have a Group Code, such that the quick codes (CPT codes) could appear alphabetically according to groups, just like a superbill.

Speaking of which, as it stands now, it is much easier to enter charges in our PM software than in AC. Not sure how it will be in the next release, but is it OK to just enter in our PM system and NOT enter in AC (as far as compliance for meaningful use)?

Here's what I did: I made my own CPT code groups, and have entered my most common codes as in the following examples: 100_PulseOx (94760), 202_Tympanometry, 204_Audiometry, with 200's for in-office procedures, 400's for immunizations, and so on. When I request the list in alphabetical order, it sorts automatically with the CPTs clustered just as I would want them. Ironically, CPT was designed as diagnostic groups, but that's not consistent with my common office visits. Now, I can click several boxes in a row, without much scrolling or searching.

A good workaround. Maybe I can organize it so that it will work reasonably well given the 3-column structure (though that might be tricky). It will definitely help ... Still not sure if the superbill module is the way to go or direct to our PM software.

Thank you, Dr Wolffe

happy to help

Thought it might be helpful if I were more specific. I changed the quick codes for typical teenager-visit vaccines to 470_TDaP 472_Meningitis 474_HPV, while the typical 12-month visit vaccines are 466_MMR 468_Varicella 470_HepA. I have also clustered the vaccines usually given at 2,4,6 months. It's easier than finding them alphabetically, I think. I don't have anything against odd numbers, but I thought it would be easier to add new stuff without having to renumber everything. 900_BabyHospInit will cover an initial newborn hospital visit (99460) and 901_BabyHospSub is 99462 for subsequent visits. Another feature of my workaround is that as I find myself using the codes, I can rearrange them at will by editing the numbers--but not editing the CPT codes.

I'm going to continue to try this sytem for a while, with codes grouped in this way. I thought that grouping them even more strongly by visit type might be faster for many visits: clustering the E/M code, vaccines, vaccine administration, audiometry, etc. all together. I tried this briefly but though it was great for some visits, there was enough variation that I ended up having to hunt and scroll for that one odd thing the patient needed to have done. It was easier to have procedures grouped--with the ones typically done together next to each other.

Thank you for the additional details. Yes, I see your point about how one approach may work well in some cases while not in other cases. I believe that having columns would help, especially if changes are made. The three-across approach seems to make it more difficult to become accustomed to changes.

Thank you again for sharing your ideas.

I have stuck all my vaccines at the end of quick codes by putting
vacc---_______ so I just move slider to end and can find them. I also moved things that are close such as injection 96372 and joint injection (changed to major joint 20610) to help prevent errors when selecting. Seems to work well. I guess we are all different in what works for us which is why I think AC is a good program.

Steve--I like your method also.