Lynx Outpatient Charge capture Flashcards
What is Optum’s Lynx Outpatient Charge Capture?
It is a software solution for hospitals that automates the capture of charges for outpatient services to ensure complete, accurate, and compliant billing . In other words, Lynx reviews patient visits in areas like the ER, clinics, and infusion centers and assigns the appropriate charges or facility fee levels based on the care provided, helping to protect and maximize the hospital’s revenue.
What are the core benefits of using Lynx Outpatient Charge Capture?
Lynx provides several key benefits: it improves charge accuracy (so no services are missed or miscoded), protects revenue by reducing denials and capturing all billable charges, ensures compliance with billing regulations (aligning charges with OPPS and other guidelines), and maintains consistency in charging across all departments  . Hospitals using Lynx have reported higher net revenue and fewer billing errors thanks to these advantages .
In what settings or use cases is Lynx Outpatient Charge Capture typically used?
Lynx is used in hospital outpatient settings where capturing facility charges is important. Common use cases include Emergency Departments (assigning ED visit levels based on patient acuity and resources used), Outpatient Clinics (capturing facility fees for clinic visits), Oncology and Infusion Centers (billing for infusion services, injections, and complex drug administrations), and Observation Units (calculating observation hour charges) . Essentially, any department outside of the inpatient setting that generates charges for services can use Lynx to automate and standardize that charge capture.
What are some distinguishing features of Optum’s Lynx Outpatient Charge Capture?
One distinguishing feature is its proprietary charging algorithms, which are built on decades of industry data and regulatory knowledge to accurately evaluate outpatient visits and assign charges . Unlike a basic charge capture method, Lynx’s algorithms consider the complexity of each encounter (for example, multiple procedures or high acuity cases) to determine the right billing level. Another key feature is its integration with EHR workflows – Lynx embeds into existing hospital systems and processes, so clinicians and coders can use it without changing their routine . Additionally, Lynx’s SaaS delivery and continuous updates with current regulations make it stand out, because it relieves hospitals from constantly updating their charging rules and helps ensure ongoing compliance by design .
How does Lynx Outpatient Charge Capture integrate with the overall revenue cycle in healthcare?
Lynx is designed to work in tandem with other RCM systems. It interfaces with the hospital’s electronic medical record (EMR) to gather clinical details and then feeds the calculated charges into the billing system, so the charges flow directly into claims processing . This means charge capture happens as part of the normal documentation and billing cycle, rather than as a separate manual step. Lynx can also complement coding and billing software – for instance, it can be used alongside computer-assisted coding tools, with Lynx focusing on facility charges while other tools handle diagnosis/procedure coding. By integrating at these points, Lynx helps create a more efficient revenue cycle where documentation, charge capture, coding, and billing are all connected and streamlined.
