Coder III

Common Spirit Health; Englewood (CO); Remote; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

CommonSpirit Health is seeking an experienced Coder III to code and abstract complex inpatient records across our health system, ensuring accurate data retrieval for reimbursement, research, and analytics.

You will lead in maintaining high documentation standards, resolve billing inquiries, and mentor coding staff while collaborating with Revenue Cycle teams to improve denials management and data integrity.

Qualifications

• Two to four years of inpatient coding experience in an acute care setting.
• Current AHIMA credentials (RHIA, RHIT, CCS, CCS-P) or AAPC credentials (COC, CIC, CPC-H, CPC) or must acquire within 6 months of hire.
• Competency in inpatient coding guidelines and related guidelines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Windows applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Advanced knowledge of Coding Clinic Guidelines and ICD-10/ICD-PCS coding, disease management, anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology and coding systems (e.g. 3M).

Responsibilities

• Accurately code and abstract inpatient records and assign DRGs in line with official guidelines and organizational policies.
• Support revenue cycle with detailed coding reviews, audits, and draft DRG denial/appeal letters.
• Act as liaison between inpatient coding, CDIS, and Revenue Management to identify trends and ensure communication.
• Provide expert answers to complex coding questions and troubleshoot edits.
• Facilitate training sessions and conduct quality audits to improve reimbursement practices.
• Assist management with personnel tasks and promote a professional coding team environment.

Skills

Inpatient coding experience

Coding guidelines knowledge

ICD-10/ICD-PCS coding

3M coding systems knowledge

Microsoft Windows proficiency

Education

High School Diploma/G.E.D.

RHIA/RHIT/CCS/CCS-P or CPC/CIC credentials

Tools

3M Coding

Job description

Coder III

Inspired by faith. Driven by innovation. Powered by humankindness. CommonSpirit Health is building a healthier future for all through its integrated health services. As one of the nation's largest nonprofit Catholic healthcare organizations, CommonSpirit Health delivers more than 20 million patient encounters annually through more than 2,300 clinics, care sites and 158 hospital-based locations, in addition to its home-based services and virtual care offerings.

As our Coder III, you will serve in an expert-level capacity, responsible for coding and abstracting complex inpatient records to support accurate data retrieval, reimbursement, research, and analysis. You will play a pivotal role in maintaining high standards of clinical documentation and data integrity across the organization.

Every day, you will act as a primary resource for hospital staff and fellow coding team members by resolving billing-related inquiries and addressing coding follow-ups. Additionally, you will support leadership with critical administrative tasks, including managing DRG denials, navigating claim edits, conducting internal audits, and overseeing CHA data submissions.

To be successful in this role, you will leverage your deep technical expertise to provide mentorship and hands‑on guidance to others. This includes working closely with Coding School Trainers to facilitate high‑level inpatient training and collaborating with management to provide ongoing coding education and process improvements.

• Accurately code and abstract inpatient records and assign DRGs in compliance with official coding guidelines, regulatory standards, and organizational policies.
• Support the revenue cycle by performing detailed coding reviews, conducting audits, and drafting appeal letters to resolve DRG denials and billing disputes.
• Act as a key liaison between the inpatient coding team, CDIS, and Revenue Management departments to identify trends, resolve issues, and ensure consistent communication.
• Serve as a subject matter expert to answer complex coding questions and troubleshoot system or billing‑related edits in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Facilitate training sessions and conduct quality audits to promote accurate reimbursement practices, providing constructive feedback to improve team performance.
• Assist management with personnel‑related tasks and foster a professional, team‑oriented environment that aligns with the values and goals of the Coding Service Center.

Along with CO, KS and NM, this position is open to remote/out of state candidates residing in only these states:

• Alabama- Arizona- Arkansas- Colorado
• Florida- Georgia- Idaho- Indiana
• Iowa- Kansas - Kentucky- Louisiana
• Missouri- Mississippi- Nebraska- New Mexico
• North Carolina- Ohio- Oklahoma- South Carolina
• South Dakota- Tennessee- Texas- Utah
• Virginia- West Virginia- Wyoming

Job Requirements

• High School Diploma/G.E.D. Required
• A minimum of two (2) - four (4) years of inpatient coding experience in an acute care setting
• Current AHIMA credentials (i.e. RHIA, RHIT, CCS, CCS-P) or AAPC credentials (COC, CIC, CPC-H, CPC) required and maintained OR must acquire certification within 6 months of hire
• Must demonstrate competency of inpatient coding guidelines as well as other inpatient coding guidelines
• Proficient in Microsoft Windows applications (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of Coding Clinic Guidelines, and advanced technical knowledge with coding competency in ICD-10, ICD PCS and Nosology Advance knowledge of disease management, anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology and coding systems (i.e. 3M)