Setting Up Procedure Codes

Procedure codes track the clinical procedures you perform on a patient and the procedures you will perform in the future. The procedure codes are stored in a patient's history file.

When an appointment is scheduled, a procedure code can be attached to the appointment, and procedure codes are posted when a patient checks out of the office.

Procedure codes provide the following functions:

• Statistical CalculationsThe software keeps track of each code posted. Procedure reports can be generated to determine the numbers posted during a specific time range and by whom. For example, how many Initial Exams were performed during the month?
  
  A Future Procedure Report can be generated to determine which patients are posted for specific procedures. For example, which patients are scheduled for the procedure code Deliver Retainer next week?

• Automatic $ ChargeWhile not every procedure code generates a charge, some do. Your practice can associate a fee with a procedure code. For example, the procedure code Diagnostic Records may have a fee of $175.00. When this procedure code is posted, a $175.00 charge is posted to the ledger.
  
  Associate a fee with any procedure for which you generally charge, such as Imp Retainer Repair or Panographic X-Ray.
  
  Posted procedure code charges are due immediately.

• Automatic Status ChangeYour practice can attach a status change to a procedure code. The patient's status changes automatically when the code is posted. For example, when the code Deband Full is posted, the status is automatically changed to Retention.
  
  You can attach up to 10 statuses to a single procedure code. When the code is posted, you are prompted for the status to change.

• Automatic Letter PostingAfter performing certain treatment procedures, you might want to send a letter to either the Patient/Responsible Party or to the dentist of record.
  
  By attaching a word processing letter to a procedure code, the letter is posted each time that code is posted. For example, when the code Deliver Headgear is posted, the word processing letter Headgear Add is also posted.
  
  You can attach up to five letters.

• Automatic Posting of Other ProceduresA procedure code can post other procedure codes. For example, the procedure code Diagnostic Records could be set up to post cephalometric and panoramic x-rays and photographs.
  
  Up to 10 additional codes can be posted by using a single procedure code.

Related Topics

Designing a Procedure Code List

Creating a Procedure Code List

Editing a Procedure Code List

Adding Procedure Codes