Coder Specialist Inpatient

Aurora Health Care; Allenton (WI); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin seeks an experienced inpatient coder to join our health information management team. You will perform complex ICD-10-CM/PCS, CPT, and HCPCS coding for high-dollar, long-stay cases and ensure coding accuracy per Official Guidelines.

You will collaborate with Clinical Documentation Improvement and Quality teams to align DRGs and Medicare cases, while pursuing continuing education and mentoring junior coders to uphold ethical coding standards.

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree in Health Information Management or related field.
• Typically requires 7 years' inpatient coding experience in an acute care facility.
• Coding certifications from AAPC or AHIMA are required.
• Advanced proficiency in ICD-10-CM/PCS, CPT, and HCPCS.

Responsibilities

• Review complex inpatient documentation to assign accurate diagnoses and procedures.
• Ensure correct code selection following Official Coding Guidelines and regulations.
• Maintain high productivity and quality standards (DNFB support).
• Collaborate with CDI and Quality teams to match DRGs and Medicare cases.
• Communicate with clinicians regarding disease processes for accurate coding.

Skills

ICD-10-CM/PCS coding

CPT/HCPCS coding

EMR experience

Strong communication

Education

Associate's Degree in Health Information Management

Tools

Coding software

EMR systems

Job description

Major Responsibilities

• This role will have all responsibilities of coder I, II and III in addition to: reviews complex inpatient documentation at a highly skilled and proficient level to assign diagnosis and procedure codes utilizing ICD-10 CM/PCS, CPT, and HCPCS. Assigns and ensures correct code selection following Official Coding Guidelines and compliance with federal and insurance regulations utilizing an EMR and/or Computer Assisted Coding software.
• Adhere to organizational and internal department policies and procedures to ensure efficient work processes.
• Responsible for coding high dollar and long length of stay cases for all patient types.
• Expertise in query guidelines, and coding standards. Follow up and obtain clarification of inaccurate documentation as appropriate.
• Serves as a subject matter expert to Coding department leaders and peers. Recommends modifications to current policies and procedures as needed to coincide with government regulations.
• Maintain continuing education by attending webinars, reviewing updated CPT assistant guidelines and updated coding clinics. Knowledgeable in researching coding related topics and issues.
• Abides by the Standards of Ethical Coding as set forth by the American Health Information Management Association and adheres to official coding guidelines. Practices ethical judgment in assigning and sequencing codes for proper insurance reimbursement.
• Collaborates with the Clinical Documentation Improvement and Quality teams, to ensure a match in the DRG and reconciles each Medicare case with the working DRGs from a CDI perspective.
• Responsible for clinician communication related to disease processes on a clinical level to ensure accurate coding.
• Participates in payer audits and meetings by acting as a resource for coding-related audits, as requested.
• Attends meetings with clinical teams regarding updates in codes for complex specialties.
• Maintains the confidentiality of patient records. Reports any perceived non-compliant practices to the coding leader or compliance officer.
• Meets and exceeds departmental quality (95% or more) and productivity standards (100%). Achieves productivity expectations to support discharged not final billed (DNFB).
• Performs any other assigned duties since the duties listed are general in nature and are examples of the duties and responsibilities performed and are not meant to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Management retains the right to add or change duties at any time.

Major Responsibilities

• This role will have all responsibilities of coder I, II and III in addition to: reviews complex inpatient documentation at a highly skilled and proficient level to assign diagnosis and procedure codes utilizing ICD-10 CM/PCS, CPT, and HCPCS. Assigns and ensures correct code selection following Official Coding Guidelines and compliance with federal and insurance regulations utilizing an EMR and/or Computer Assisted Coding software.
• Adhere to organizational and internal department policies and procedures to ensure efficient work processes.
• Responsible for coding high dollar and long length of stay cases for all patient types.
• Expertise in query guidelines, and coding standards. Follow up and obtain clarification of inaccurate documentation as appropriate.
• Serves as a subject matter expert to Coding department leaders and peers. Recommends modifications to current policies and procedures as needed to coincide with government regulations.
• Maintain continuing education by attending webinars, reviewing updated CPT assistant guidelines and updated coding clinics. Knowledgeable in researching coding related topics and issues.
• Abides by the Standards of Ethical Coding as set forth by the American Health Information Management Association and adheres to official coding guidelines. Practices ethical judgment in assigning and sequencing codes for proper insurance reimbursement.
• Collaborates with the Clinical Documentation Improvement and Quality teams, to ensure a match in the DRG and reconciles each Medicare case with the working DRGs from a CDI perspective.
• Responsible for clinician communication related to disease processes on a clinical level to ensure accurate coding.
• Participates in payer audits and meetings by acting as a resource for coding-related audits, as requested.
• Attends meetings with clinical teams regarding updates in codes for complex specialties.
• Maintains the confidentiality of patient records. Reports any perceived non-compliant practices to the coding leader or compliance officer.
• Meets and exceeds departmental quality (95% or more) and productivity standards (100%). Achieves productivity expectations to support discharged not final billed (DNFB).
• Performs any other assigned duties since the duties listed are general in nature and are examples of the duties and responsibilities performed and are not meant to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Management retains the right to add or change duties at any time.

Licensure, Registration, And/or Certification Required

• Coding Certification issued by one of the following certifying bodies: American Academy of Coders (AAPC), or American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)

Education Required

• Associate's Degree in Health Information Management or related field.

Experience Required

• Typically requires 7 years' experience inpatient coding in acute care tertiary facility that includes experience in revenue cycle processes, Clinical Documentation Improvement, Research and health information workflows.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

• Advanced profiency of ICD, CPT and HCPCS coding guidelines. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology.
• Excellent computer skills including the use of Microsoft office products, electronic mail, including exposure or experience with electronic coding systems or applications.
• Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organization, prioritization, and reading comprehension skills.
• Excellent analytical skills, with a high attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and exercise independent judgment and decision making.
• Ability to meet deadlines while working in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to take initiative and work collaboratively with others.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

• Exposed to a normal office environment.
• Must be able to sit for extended periods of time.
• Must be able tocontinually concentrate.
• Position may be required to travel to other sites; therefore, may be exposed to road and weather hazards.
• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.
• This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed
• to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.

#REMOTE