Temporary Medical Coding Assistance
On occasion, practices find themselves without a coder due to vacations, illness/medical issues, or turnover. Their absence can create a backlog resulting in peaks and valleys in collections, claims being denied since they pass the timely filing due date, excessive overtime expenses, staff burnout and fatigue-related errors.
The Coding Network can help prevent or diminish your backlog and/or temporarily fill-in for your coder while they are out of the office. Since we do not require any minimums, The Coding Network can supplement your current coding efforts whenever the need arises. All you need to do is have a contract in place with us and when a coder is out or backlog arises (or better yet, before a backlog occurs), we can step in and help clear up your queue.
Coder out? Backlog building?
TCN’s 800+ credentialed coders are ready to fill the gap — across 65+ specialties, with no minimums and no long-term commitment.
Request Temporary Coding Coverage → /contact-us/
When a coder goes on vacation, medical leave, or unexpected absence, the backlog starts immediately — delayed claims, missed filing deadlines, and overtime strain on the remaining team. The Coding Network provides on-demand temporary coding coverage across 65+ medical and surgical specialties, drawing from a network of 800+ credentialed U.S.-based coders and auditors. Temporary coding support can begin quickly once a contract is in place, with no volume minimums and no long-term commitment. TCN serves as a seamless extension of your existing coding department — matching coder specialty to your service lines, working within your EMR (Epic, Cerner, Athena, eClinicalWorks, Allscripts, and others), and maintaining the same HIPAA-secure protocols as your permanent team.
Temporary Coding Coverage FAQs
Q1: How quickly can TCN provide temporary coding coverage?
A1: Once a contract is in place, TCN can typically begin temporary coding support quickly. The specific onboarding timeline depends on the specialty required and the data access method being established, but TCN is designed for rapid deployment to address urgent staffing gaps.
Q2: What types of absences does TCN’s temporary coding service cover?
A2: TCN’s temporary assistance service covers planned absences (vacations, scheduled medical leave, maternity/paternity leave), unplanned absences (emergency leave, sudden illness), and workload surges that exceed your current team’s capacity — including backlog clearance after a period of understaffing.
Q3: Does TCN offer temporary coverage for all medical specialties?
A3: Yes. TCN’s network covers 65+ medical and surgical specialties. All temporary coders are specialty-specific — meaning your orthopedic charts are covered by coders with orthopedic coding experience, not generalists. This maintains coding accuracy even during staffing transitions.
Q4: Is there a minimum volume required for temporary coding coverage?
A4: No. TCN offers temporary coding assistance with no monthly minimums and no long-term contract requirements. You access support when you need it, pay per case, and have no ongoing obligation once the staffing gap is resolved.
Q5: Will temporary TCN coders work in our EMR system?
A5: Yes. TCN is technology-agnostic and supports all major EMR platforms including Epic, Cerner, Athena Health, eClinicalWorks, Allscripts, and others. Data access is established through secure EMR integration or cloud-based file transfer under HIPAA-compliant protocols.
Q6: What credentials do TCN’s temporary coders hold?
A6: All TCN coders hold at least one active coding credential (CPC, CCS, RHIA, or equivalent) and have a minimum of three years of specialty-specific coding experience. Each coder completes one of TCN’s 57 proprietary proficiency exams before being assigned to any client. Ongoing QA reviews maintain a ≥90% accuracy standard.
Q7: Can TCN handle backlog clearance in addition to ongoing coverage?
A7: Yes. TCN can be engaged specifically to clear a coding backlog — whether caused by a staffing gap, a volume surge, a system transition, or a prior period of understaffing — and then transition to ongoing supplemental or replacement coverage as needed.
Solution Highlights
- 800+ credentialed coders and auditors
- Single-specialty focus for all coders
- Specialization and background in over 65 medical specialties
- Rapid turnaround time
- Fast seamless onboarding
- Complete or supplemental assistance
