In today’s world, many coders and other HIM employees are remote and working from home. There are multiple pros to working from home; flexibility, no commute, no office distractions, which can lead to an increase in productivity.
But there are also a few cons; blurred lines on work-life balance, isolation or disconnection from the workplace, potential for overworking, and of course, the wonderful distractions at home. On a good day, the cons can overshadow the pros, and make a work week very challenging. Now add working from home during the holiday season…the list of cons just got longer and they’re drowning out the beautiful noise of the pros!
Having worked from home for many years, I have walked through multiple holiday seasons in different coding roles, and different personal seasons of life. Here are a few tips and tricks that could help keep that list of cons under control.
Whether your work schedule is a set schedule or more flexible, take some time before the holidays and map out the month. With all of the extra activities that come along with the holidays, you want to be sure that you’re balancing your work and personal time. Next, begin to plan out each week and even your work tasks for each day in order to stay productive, and meet goals or deadlines. I have found it helpful to plan out meals, and even start to make some things ahead of time and throw them in the freezer. This helps to take away another possible stressor.
For some reason, most people think that if we’re working from home, we are doing it in our PJ’s. Don’t get me wrong, I have spent a few workdays over the years wearing my pajamas, but for me it is just not beneficial. On those days that I stay in my PJ’s, I feel tired and have lower energy, and just not as focused. I have found that by getting dressed and ready in the morning I have a better mind set, and I am more productive at work.
For some of us, we may have kids home from school, or maybe family staying with us from out of town. Due to the type of work we do, we need to make sure we are hypervigilant about protecting any secure data and/or PHI. It’s important to lock your screen or log off if you’re stepping away from your computer, and make sure your passwords are secure. You will want your office or workspace to be private, quiet and conducive to productive work. This brings me to my next tip that I have found to be very helpful, setting boundaries.
Some of our loved ones may think that since you are home, you are accessible at all times of the day. In order to minimize interruptions or distractions, share your work schedule and communicate the expectations for respecting your work time with everyone in your home. If you have work calls, meetings, or tasks that absolutely cannot be interrupted, place a sign on the door to let everyone know. My kids have grown up knowing that if the door is closed, then I am unavailable. Putting these boundaries in place will help you to be productive when you’re working, and more available when you’re finished with the workday.
My last area that I want to mention is something that I don’t think we talk about enough in our field; the issue of feeling disconnected and isolated from the workplace, and co-workers. This can be a hard thing to deal with on a normal day, but during the holidays it can sometimes feel magnified.
If you were working in the office, you may be attending parties, participating in secret Santa exchanges, food days, and surrounded by decorations and holiday cheer. Here are a few ideas to bring some of these holiday things you miss back into your world.
First, put up some holiday decorations in your office; go as little or as big as you want. Over the years, I have added more and more decorations, even a little tree, to my office. Next, you could organize a secret Santa gift exchange with co-workers, or maybe do an appetizer or cookie recipe swap and make a few throughout the holidays.
You could even plan out a virtual cookie decorating party with co-workers during lunch or after work. If you’re in a position where you have minimal contact with co-workers and you do not know them very well, I would recommend creating some of these fun events outside of work with friends or family. That way you are still fulfilling the desire for holiday fun that may be lacking in your work life.
Hopefully you have found these tips to be helpful in overcoming the challenge of working from home during the holiday season. Bottom line, we have a very important job to do, and we all desire to do that job to the best of our ability. Apply a few of these ideas and you’ll be set up for a less stressful, productive, and meaningful holiday in both your personal and your work life.
Happy Holidays!
Let’s admit it: the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) official conventions, guidelines, and advice involving sepsis and its consequences have been
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is continuing its multi-year push toward payment accuracy, documentation integrity, and value-based care. While the most visible
Please log in to your account to comment on this article.
Breast biopsy procedures may be clinically straightforward but accurately translating them into compliant billing can be anything but. In this focused webcast, Shawn Blackburn, CPC, CPMA, CIC, CRC, CCS-P breaks down how imaging guidance, lesion count, laterality, and payer expectations all impact how these procedures should be reported. Through clear explanations and real-world scenarios, you’ll gain practical insight into aligning clinical workflows with billing requirements, avoiding common pitfalls, and ensuring your documentation supports accurate reimbursement and compliance.
Gain clarity and confidence in OB‑GYN coding with this expert‑led webcast featuring Sherri L. Clayton, RHIT, CSS. You’ll learn how to apply global maternity package rules accurately, select the right CPT codes for procedures and visits, and identify documentation gaps that lead to denials. With practical guidance and real examples, this session helps you strengthen compliance, reduce audit risk, and ensure accurate reimbursement for women’s health services.
Uncover essential coding insights with nationally recognized coding authority Kay Piper, RHIA, CDIP, CCS. Through ICD10monitor’s interactive, on‑demand webcast series, Kay walks you through the AHA’s 2026 ICD‑10‑CM/PCS Quarterly Coding Clinics, translating each update into practical, easy‑to‑apply guidance designed to sharpen precision, ensure compliance, and strengthen day‑to‑day decision‑making. Available shortly after each official release.
Uncover critical guidance on the ICD-10-CM/PCS code updates. Kay Piper reviews and explains ICD-10-CM/PCS coding guidelines in the AHA’s fourth quarter 2026 ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding Clinic in an easy to access on-demand webcast.
Traditional utilization management models can no longer keep pace with regulatory shifts, payer scrutiny, and operational pressures. In this webcast, Tiffany Ferguson, LMSW, CMAC, ACM, ACPA-C, introduces an Adaptive Model strategy that modernizes UM through role specialization, technology-driven workflows, and proactive, team-based processes. Attendees will learn how to restructure programs to improve efficiency, strengthen clinical collaboration, and enhance financial performance in a rapidly changing healthcare environment.
Federal auditors are intensifying their focus on inpatient psychiatric facilities, using advanced data analytics to spotlight outliers and pursue high‑dollar repayments. In this high‑impact webcast, Michael Calahan, PA, MBA, Compliance Officer and V.P., Hospital & Physician Compliance, breaks down what regulators are really targeting in IPF-PPS admissions, documentation, treatment and discharge planning. Attendees will learn practical steps to tighten processes, avoid common audit triggers and protect reimbursement and reduce the risk of multimillion-dollar repayment demands.
In this timely session, Stacey Shillito, CDIP, CPMA, CCS, CCS-P, CPEDC, COPC, breaks down the complexities of Medical Decision Making (MDM) documentation so providers can confidently capture the true complexity of their care. Attendees will learn practical, efficient strategies to ensure documentation aligns with current E/M guidelines, supports accurate coding, and reduces audit risk, all without adding to charting time.
Join Ronald Hirsch, MD, FACP, CHCQM for The PEPPER Returns – Risk and Opportunity at Your Fingertips, a practical webcast that demystifies the PEPPER and shows you how to turn complex claims data into actionable insights. Dr. Hirsch will explain how to interpret key measures, identify compliance risks, uncover missed revenue opportunities, and understand new updates in the PEPPER, all to help your organization stay ahead of audits and use this powerful data proactively.
Happy HIP Week! Sign up to win free access to our 2026 Coding Clinic Update Webcast Series! Click here to learn more →
Prepare for the 2025 CMS IPPS Final Rule with ICD10monitor’s IPPSPalooza! Click HERE to learn more
Get 15% OFF on all educational webcasts at ICD10monitor with code JULYFOURTH24 until July 4, 2024—start learning today!
CYBER WEEK IS HERE! Don’t miss your chance to get 20% off now until Dec. 1 with code CYBER25
CYBER WEEK IS HERE! Don’t miss your chance to get 20% off now until Dec. 2 with code CYBER24
