Coding Team’s Blitz Bulldozes Backlogged Claims

Faced with an ongoing backlog of claims, the Northwest coding team mounted an all-out attack to cut the problem down to size. The traditional way of working the queues involved having different coders assigned to a specific line of business by payer. That approach was causing a delay in processing claims and billing patients. Instead of everyone working in individual queues, the team focused their efforts on a particular work queue and processed 50 percent more claims as a result. 

Here's What Worked

• Using a “blitz” approach to the work queues, when new sessions get backed up
• Mobilizing everyone to work on the same queue until the backlog decreases
• Shifting from the existing practice of everyone working in individual queues

What can your team do to tackle large issues that are creating a backlog? Where else could your team use a "blitz" approach?