Impacts of Healthcare Consolidation on Career Oppurtunities

When organizations merge, reorganize or become part of an integrated healthcare system, it is often the case that job roles, titles and duties must change to meet the needs of the re-arranged employer entity. Consider the following scenario:

You have been working as a hospital coder (acute care) for the past 6 years for Bing Hospital. You are considered to be proficient at your job and hold an RHIT.

You have very much enjoyed your role and the work group that you have been a part of, especially the group training and updates. Now, Bing Hospital is merging with two physician group practices to form the BingCare System.

You were chosen from the hospital team to be one of the coders who can "flex" and do both acute care coding for hospital and office coding for the physician practice, as needed.

Consider issues that will arise in the above scenario, such as:

1. Recommend how the manager/supervisor of the BingCare System coding department should inform you of this change and help to address fears and apprehensions.

2. Identify additional preparation and training you should obtain or be provided.

3. Recommend activities or steps and a timeline that might be considered to handle communication and training issues to ensure a successful transition for the integrated coding team.

4. Also comment on recommendations for how these issues would best be addressed.