title: Billing, coding, and credentialing in the thoracic surgery practice.
abstract: New graduates entering thoracic surgery often face bureaucratic barriers to beginning practice. It is important to understand the credentialing and privileging process to navigate these obstacles successfully. In addition, the implementation of cutting-edge technology by recent trainees can pose problems in institutions not familiar with newer surgical techniques. Efficient coding and billing are a requirement for maintaining profitability and delivering the best care possible. This article explores theses nuances in both the American and the Canadian medical systems in building a successful practice.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of California, Davis Medical Center, 2221 Stockton Boulevard, Room 2117, Sacramento, CA 95817-2214, USA.
authors.forename: David T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Cooke
authors.forename: Gary A J
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Gelfand
authors.forename: Joshua A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Broghammer
mesh_terms: D002568:Certification; D039702:Current Procedural Terminology; D006801:Humans; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D008007:Licensure, Medical; D008504:Medical Staff Privileges; D009817:Office Management; D011216:Practice Management, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013903:Thoracic Surgery / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted