Most home health coding companies describe themselves the same way: accurate, fast, experienced, compliant. The differences show up in the details — what is included, where the work is done, what happens when a record is missing, and what you are actually charged. These ten questions will get you comparable answers from any vendor. Codexpo’s answers are given after each one so you can see what a straight reply looks like.
1. What exactly is included in a “case”?
Ask whether the price covers record review, OASIS review, coding, sequencing notes, flagged discrepancies and corrections — or only a code list. Codexpo: one case is one work order for one patient’s SOC, recertification or ROC. Every case includes a full review of the OASIS and clinical record, the coding (or the 485 draft, or both for a bundle), flagged discrepancies, and corrections in the same case. Corrections, holds and messages do not create additional cases.
2. Is the OASIS review included or a separate charge?
Codexpo: included with every order at no separate charge, and not sold on its own. There is no OASIS line on the invoice. See the OASIS review page.
3. Where is the work done — in our EHR or somewhere else?
If a vendor needs you to export charts or upload documents, someone may have to enter the result back into your EHR. Codexpo: the work is done directly in your EHR using the access your agency provides — WellSky (Kinnser), Axxess, Homecare Homebase, Synergy, MatrixCare, Alora, KanTime, Netsmart or AlayaCare. Orders and status are kept in Boltflo, our case portal; nothing is exported or uploaded.
4. What is the turnaround, and when does the clock start?
Codexpo: coding within 2 business days, a 485-only order within 3–4, the Coding + 485 Bundle within 5–6 business days in total (the 485 work begins once coding is finished). The clock starts when you submit the order in Boltflo.
5. What happens when records are missing?
This is where turnaround promises are tested. Codexpo: the case is placed on hold and we identify what is needed in the case thread. Time on hold does not count toward turnaround, and the due date is adjusted accordingly. A reply does not resume processing on its own; our staff review it and clear the hold once the information is sufficient, and follow up in the same thread if it is incomplete.
6. What does it cost, and is the pricing published?
Not every vendor publishes its prices. Codexpo: $50 per case for ICD-10 coding, $25 per case for the 485 Plan of Care draft and review, $70 per case for the bundle — on the pricing page, invoiced monthly.
7. Who reviews the work, and who approves it?
Ask who is looking at the chart and whether there is any oversight beyond the individual coder. Codexpo: the team is physician-led. Final review and approval remain with your agency, and our turnaround and holds do not change your own deadlines.
8. How are corrections handled, and are they charged?
Codexpo: request the correction from the same case in Boltflo; the same team handles it, and it does not create a new case or charge.
9. How is our data protected?
Ask for specifics rather than a badge. Codexpo: each agency sees only its own cases in Boltflo, and our access and security practices are set out on How It Works.
10. Can we try it before committing?
Codexpo: new agencies’ first three cases are free — coding only, 485 only or the bundle — processed through the normal workflow with the standard turnaround and hold policies, and credited on the invoice at their actual charges. There is no automatic paid enrollment; regular pricing is disclosed before you authorize additional paid work. Claim the three free cases or request a consultation.
A note on what not to be swayed by
Accuracy percentages without a stated method, and turnaround promises that do not say what happens to the clock on a hold, are not useful for comparison. Ask the ten questions above and compare the answers side by side; the vendor that answers all ten plainly is usually the one that will be easy to work with. The full process is described on How It Works, and more answers are in our home health coding FAQs.
Related reading: Outsourced vs. in-house home health coding · What is included in home health coding and OASIS review · How coding and 485 review work inside your EHR
Related Codexpo services: Home health ICD-10 coding services · OASIS review (included with every order) · 485 Plan of Care draft & review · Pricing: $50 coding, $25 485, $70 bundle per case · How it works in Boltflo and your EHR
