Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC)

What is the frequency with which Health Risk is re-determined according to coding standards?

1. Every month

2. Every 6 months

3. Every year

4. Every 2 years

The correct answer is: Every year

The frequency with which Health Risk is re-determined according to coding standards is annually. This annual review aligns with the need to ensure that health assessments and the associated risk scores accurately reflect a patient’s current health status and chronic conditions. This regular update is crucial for risk adjustment purposes as it enables healthcare providers to receive appropriate reimbursement based on the severity of the patients' conditions. In coding standards, particularly those relevant to risk adjustment methodologies, it is emphasized that the health status of patients can change frequently, and an annual reassessment is a structured approach to capture those changes effectively. This process not only facilitates the accurate coding of diagnoses but also ensures the quality of care and management of chronic diseases over time. Regular intervals beyond a year may lead to outdated assessments that do not accurately represent the patient’s current health risk.