Optical Character Recognition (OCR) vs Computer Assisted Coding (CAC) - Do you know the difference?

[Holly Cassano]

Optical Character Recognition (OCR) vs Computer Assisted Coding (CAC) - Do you know the difference?

 

[Kari Heath CPC]

I know what OCR is ...what is CAC and how do they relate to each other?
Thanks!
Kari

 

[Holly Cassano]

Hi Kari,

I have posted some info for you on both CAC and OCR

Optical Character Recognition, or OCR, is a technology that enables you to convert different types of documents, such as scanned paper documents like medical records, PDF files or images captured by a digital camera into editable and searchable data.

Optical Character Recognition is not the same as Computer Assisted Coding (CAC).
CAC can be defined as the use of computer software to automatically generate a set of medical codes for review and validation based upon clinical documentation.

While CAC utilizes OCR technology—OCR is just one component of the CAC application.

OCR—unlike CAC—does not automatically generate ICD-9-CM codes for validation. It simply highlights some key words for the more common mapping diagnoses for HCC and RxHCC coding.

 

[Kari Heath CPC]

Thank you Holly.
I cannot view the attachment (it says I do not have permission)

 

[Holly Cassano]

Thank you Holly.
I cannot view the attachment (it says I do not have permission)

HMM - that's odd - let me see if Laureen knows the issue -