Over the past 20 years, Certified Coder Sabrina Augustin has witnessed the growth of the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) firsthand, from a small community clinic into a much larger organization serving communities across Southeast Kansas and Northeast Oklahoma.
When she joined CHC/SEK in 2006, the organization looked quite different. At that time, Sabrina was working at the Frontenac clinic in a combination role that included registration, billing, coding, and serving as a medical assistant. “I helped our medical providers with simple procedures, gave injections, checked patients in and out, and did some billing and coding,” said Augustin.
Due to space constraints, the team worked staggered shifts. Sabrina’s day started quite early in the morning. “I would come in around 2 o’clock in the morning and would leave around noon,” she said. Today, she works regular hours from home.
As CHC/SEK has broadened its services, Sabrina has continued to expand her knowledge to meet the organization’s changing needs. Over the years, she has earned multiple certifications, including certified professional coder, certified professional biller, certified outpatient coder, certified pediatric coder, and community health coding billing specialist. Most recently, she became a certified radiology coder.
Sabrina said she enjoys the challenge of earning new certifications and appreciates that CHC/SEK provides opportunities to continue her education in her areas of interest. “I enjoy the challenges that the new certification brings. I also view these certifications as a way to benefit our organization and our patients,” she said. “The coding world is always changing, whether it’s new codes or rules that we have to stay up on. Quite a bit of annual continuing education is required in order to stay up to date.”
Medical coding plays an important role in the organization’s ability to bill accurately and receive reimbursement for services provided. Radiology coding is a highly specialized area of medical coding focused on imaging services such as X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, mammograms, and echocardiograms.
“Many may think that coding is simply assigning ICD and CPT codes to medical services, but radiology coding requires deep knowledge of anatomy, imaging technology, physician documentation, and payer-specific billing requirements,” said Theresa Harris, CHC/SEK Director of Revenue Cycle. “Each imaging service must be coded accurately based on the type of study performed, the side of the body and body part involved, contrast usage, and more. Even small coding inaccuracies can result in claim denials, delayed payments, or increased costs for patients.”
Sabrina’s specialized knowledge helps CHC/SEK navigate those complexities. “Sabrina’s expertise helps ensure imaging services are coded accurately and compliantly, and that claims are submitted correctly the first time,” said Harris. “This helps reduce denials and billing delays, improves reimbursement and, ultimately, increases patient satisfaction by reducing billing issues.”
Coworkers say Sabrina is a trusted resource for her department. “Over the past 20 years, Sabrina has helped shape the revenue cycle department through her willingness to take on new challenges and her dedication to getting the work done. She has always embraced sharing her well-earned knowledge with new staff and throughout our organization,” said Lori Lowrey, CHC/SEK Coding Coordinator. “Her expertise and commitment to helping others have played a vital role in our department and the success of CHC/SEK. We would not be where we are today without her skills, dedication, and contributions.”
Sabrina says helping people gives her a great deal of satisfaction. “There is a sense of pride when I am able to help a patient or a coworker, and when I’m able to figure out a claim issue,” she said.
Looking back on her two decades with CHC/SEK, Sabrina reflected on the organization’s growth and the difference it’s made for people in the community. “It has been very enlightening and makes a person humbler to see all the work that CHC does,” said Augustin. “From working in a small clinic in Frontenac to the new 3011 building to working remote from home, our organization has made such a great impact on our community.”
When not working, Sabrina enjoys crocheting, thrifting, spending time with her nine grandchildren, and helping her husband around the farm. She especially enjoys crocheting gifts for her grandchildren. “For Christmas, I made race track rugs for each of the boys, and the girls each received a cardigan. All of the children also received a hat and a scarf,” she said.