Medical coding is a vital component of the healthcare industry. It requires an understanding of complex medical terminology and the ability to record information accurately.
To promote success in this field, creating SMART goals is a fantastic way to stay focused on achieving professional milestones. This post covers examples of SMART goals for medical coders to reach their potential.
What is a SMART Goal?
The SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-based) system will enable medical coders to establish practical goals for success.
Still confused? Let’s talk more about each SMART element:
Specific
Setting specific goals can be the difference between success and failure. Many approach their work with vague aspirations like “increase productivity.” While these are admirable sentiments, they lack the specificity necessary to guide real progress.
For example, if you want to improve your accuracy rate, aim to increase it by 5% over the next two months by reviewing coding guidelines daily and seeking feedback from colleagues. This way, you have actionable steps that can be tracked and adjusted.
Measurable
In order to succeed as a medical coder, measuring and tracking your progress is essential for goal completion. Utilizing this SMART criterion will help you identify and learn from any obstacles you may face while trekking forward.
Attainable
Having ambitions is praiseworthy, but recognize that not all goals carry the same weight. Setting unrealistic expectations may hinder our progress and drain our passion if we cannot attain them.
Be practical and evaluate what can be achieved based on your current situation. You may need to adjust your expectations and chunk down large goals into more manageable steps to reach success.
Relevant
Establishing goals aligning with your personal values will motivate you to reach your desired destination. During troubling times, these values can serve as a guiding force to help you stay strong and determined.
Time-Based
Having a clear and well-defined timeline can help you stay hyper-focused on your objectives and avoid straying off course. After all, you cannot achieve success overnight. It requires hard work and dedication over a period of time.
13 SMART Goals Examples for Medical Coders
You can explore 13 examples of SMART goals for medical coders:
1. Increase Coding Efficiency
“To increase efficiency for medical coding tasks, I will implement a new workflow system after two months. This system is intended to reduce the time required for each coding task and to ensure that all relevant parties are notified about any changes quickly.”
Specific: The goal states the objective, what will be done to achieve it, and the time frame.
Measurable: You can measure the time saved on each coding task and the time it takes to implement the new system.
Attainable: This is achievable since a two-month timeline is reasonable for implementing a new workflow system.
Relevant: This statement is essential for improving the efficiency and accuracy of coding tasks.
Time-based: The SMART goal has a two-month window for success.
2. Stay Current With Industry Changes
“I will dedicate two hours each week to staying current with industry changes. I plan to read industry news and newsletters, attend webinars, and join professional organizations to keep up with the latest regulations and trends in medical coding.”
Specific: This goal outlines which activities you must do (reading industry news, attending webinars, joining professional organizations) and how much time you’ll dedicate weekly (two hours).
Measurable: You could count the number of articles, newsletters, webinars, and organizations you’ve read or joined every week.
Attainable: You can definitely stay current with industry changes by freeing up two hours weekly.
Relevant: Keeping current with industry changes will help you keep up with the latest rules and regulations.
Time-based: You should ideally consider this an ongoing effort.
3. Boost Coding Reimbursement
“I want to boost the coding reimbursement rates for my practice by at least 10% over the 6 months ahead. I’ll track data from our current coding rates and analyze any potential changes to the insurance policies that could help us get higher reimbursements.”
Specific: The goal is to increase the coding reimbursement rate by 10%.
Measurable: Track the data from current coding rates and analyze any changes in insurance policies.
Attainable: The timeline is appropriate for a 10% boost in reimbursement rates.
Relevant: This is relevant as it aims to ensure the practice gets higher reimbursements.
Time-based: You have a 6-month end date to reach goal achievement.
4. Enhance Documentation Skills
“I’ll improve my documentation skills by taking an online course and completing 5 certification exams related to medical coding within 6 months. I hope this will help me be more knowledgeable and prepared regarding coding.”
Specific: The goal is clear, outlining what will be done (take an online course and 5 certification exams) to improve documentation skills.
Measurable: The certification exams provide quantifiable results, and the online course can be tracked by time or modules completed.
Attainable: This is doable, as multiple online courses and exams can be taken to improve documentation skills.
Relevant: Enhancing documentation skills is essential for success in the medical coding field.
Time-based: There is a deadline of 6 months to complete this particular goal.
5. Improve Quality Assurance
“I will develop and implement a quality assurance process for all medical coding projects in four months. The process should ensure accuracy of code assignment, thorough documentation of coding activities, and consistency with applicable regulations.”
Specific: The SMART goal clearly states developing and implementing a quality assurance process for medical coding projects.
Measurable: You could track the timeline of coding activities to measure accuracy and consistency.
Attainable: Developing a quality assurance process is achievable within four months.
Relevant: The statement is closely related to improving the quality assurance of medical coding.
Time-based: Goal accomplishment should be met after four months.
6. Leverage Automation for Speed
“I’ll identify and implement a medical coding automation solution to improve the accuracy and speed of our medical coding operation within 8 months. I’m confident this will reduce coding errors and shorten the time it takes to code patient encounters.”
Specific: Identify and implement a medical coding automation solution.
Measurable: Check the time taken to reduce errors and improve coding speed.
Attainable: This is a reasonable goal, depending on the complexity of your medical coding system.
Relevant: This goal is directly related to improving the accuracy and speed of coding operations.
Time-based: You should expect to see success within 8 months.
7. Promote Professional Development
“My aim is to complete at least one ICD-10 coding course and maintain my certification by the end of the year. I will also use online resources and attend in-person workshops to keep up with the latest coding guidelines and stay on top of my game.”
Specific: There are two distinct tasks here: complete a coding course and maintain certification.
Measurable: Determine if the course is finished and certification is achieved.
Attainable: It’s possible to complete a coding course within the given timeline and receive certification with online resources.
Relevant: Continuing professional development helps coders stay up to date in their profession and increase their job opportunities.
Time-based: This statement must be achieved by the end of the year.
8. Participate in Networking Groups
“I will join and actively participate in three or more professional medical coding-related networking groups for 7 months. I hope to expand my professional relationships and contacts to help me advance in my medical coding career.”
Specific: You will join and actively participate in three or more professional medical coding-related networking groups.
Measurable: The goal is measurable since it indicates the amount of time (7 months) dedicated to networking.
Attainable: This is reachable because joining three networking groups is a realistic target.
Relevant: The SMART goal applies to professional growth and medical coding career advancement.
Time-based: The goal is time-based because it has an end date of 7 months.
9. Identify Potential Coding Issues Early On
“I’ll review my team’s work to spot potential coding errors before they become problematic. By the end of three months, I want to spend at least 5 hours each week identifying and correcting mistakes to stay accurate and compliant with coding policies.”
Specific: This goal is explicit due to the time spent and coding accuracy.
Measurable: The time spent spotting and correcting coding errors should be tracked to see how close you are to the goal.
Attainable: Ensure you count the hours you spend to know when to hit your target.
Relevant: It is necessary to identify any potential errors in coding processes early on to ensure accuracy and compliance.
Time-based: The statement should be completed by the end of three months.
10. Learn New CPT Codes
“I will gain mastery of 10 new CPT codes and be able to accurately apply them in medical coding this quarter. I’ll build up my knowledge by studying relevant resources, attending in-person or online classes, and staying updated with the latest CPT coding changes.”
Specific: The person knows which codes they must learn and the context in which these codes will be applied.
Measurable: You will learn 10 CPT codes and be able to use them correctly.
Attainable: This is achievable with dedication and commitment to learning the necessary materials.
Relevant: Learning new CPT codes is pertinent to the individual’s work as a medical coder.
Time-based: You have until the end of this quarter to meet this certain goal.
11. Strengthen Communication Skills
“I want to improve my communication skills by attending one webinar a month that focuses on best practices in the medical coding field. By the end of 6 months, I’ll have attended 6 webinars and become more confident in communicating with patients and other medical professionals.”
Specific: The medical coder has identified a plan to improve communication skills.
Measurable: Progress can be determined by counting the number of webinars attended.
Attainable: The coder has identified a realistic timeline to boost communication.
Relevant: Communication is essential for medical coders to do their job effectively.
Time-based: Completion of this goal is expected after 6 months.
12. Enhance Compliance Knowledge
“I will take online courses and attend workshops to improve my knowledge of coding compliance regulations over the next 5 months. I want to be able to provide reliable and accurate advice to my team on the latest medical coding regulations.”
Specific: This details what you need to do (take online courses and attend workshops) and how often you need to do it (over the next 5 months).
Measurable: You can easily count the courses and workshops you’ve attended.
Attainable: Taking online courses and attending workshops is definitely a reasonable goal.
Relevant: Improving your knowledge of coding compliance regulations will help you provide reliable and accurate advice to your team.
Time-based: Your goal is expected to be completed in 5 months.
13. Demonstrate Leadership
“In the following 6 months, I will strengthen my team’s morale and performance by learning and demonstrating proper leadership skills. I’ll take the lead in training new medical coders, providing feedback to employees, and fostering a positive work culture.”
Specific: The aim is to take the lead in training, providing feedback, and promoting a positive work culture.
Measurable: After implementing your leadership strategies, you can evaluate the team’s performance.
Attainable: The timeline gives you enough time to learn and demonstrate proper leadership skills.
Relevant: Demonstrating strong leadership will help you become a better medical coder and leader.
Time-based: You have 6 whole months to reach goal completion.
Final Thoughts
Being a medical coder requires a lot of dedication and precision. Aiming for SMART goals will help encourage growth and continuous improvement in any medical coding career.
With the proper focus, medical coders can use these principles to meet their desired outcomes. So take the time to consider what to accomplish this year. Break down those dreams into smaller goals to propel you forward.
