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When 95% Isn’t Good Enough: Why Coding Accuracy Needs Context
A 95% coding accuracy rate may look good—but what’s hiding in the 5%? Learn why context matters and how Atom Audit uncovers the real story in your data.
Atom Audit
May 5, 2025
A high coding accuracy rate can be reassuring. But numbers alone don’t always tell the full story. In fact, focusing only on your overall accuracy percentage—without diving into what errors were made and why—can create a false sense of security. It’s not just about how many errors you have. It’s about the impact they carry, the patterns they reveal, and the action they prompt.
Here’s why a deeper look matters—and what it might be telling you:
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One DRG Error Can Cost More Than Ten Typos
Not all errors are created equal. You could have a 95% accuracy rate, but if the 5% includes DRG-impacting errors or missed CC/MCCs, the financial and compliance implications are far more serious than a higher volume of lower-level mistakes. -
Repeated Minor Errors Still Add Up
Volume matters when issues go unchecked. A recurring pattern of minor misses—like incorrect laterality or consistent coding guideline violations—could indicate workflow issues or coder fatigue that will eventually lead to bigger problems. -
Accuracy Doesn’t Reveal Opportunity
Coding compliance isn’t the same as coding optimization. Even if a code is technically “correct,” it might not be the most complete reflection of the clinical story. Audits should also evaluate whether queries are being missed, documentation is under-leveraged, or clinical indicators are overlooked. -
Outlier Coders Can Skew the Average
A team average hides individual needs. If one coder consistently struggles in a specific service line, it may not affect the overall accuracy rate much—but the impact on those accounts could be significant. It’s why individual performance tracking matters.
That’s why Atom Audit is built to deliver more than just a number.
With visual dashboards, customizable metrics, and granular error categorization, Atom Audit helps you move beyond general accuracy rates and into meaningful insights.
See which errors are high-impact. Flag which ones are repeated. Spot the coders or service lines that need support—without sifting through spreadsheets.
Because accuracy without context is just a number. Atom Audit helps you find the story behind it.
👉 Want to see what your data isn’t telling you? Schedule a demo of Atom Audit today.