Coding and CDI Denials Analyst

UT Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Coding/CDI Denials Analyst to join their dynamic team in Dallas. This role is pivotal in ensuring accurate coding for inpatient medical records and involves reviewing coding denials, composing appeal letters, and identifying trends for process improvement. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in acute hospital coding and clinical documentation improvement, along with relevant certifications. This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health care, paid time off, and opportunities for professional growth. Join a culture of teamwork and excellence in a leading medical center that values innovation and employee wellbeing.

Benefits

PPO medical plan

Paid Time Off

Retirement Programs

Paid Parental Leave

Wellness programs

Tuition Reimbursement

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of acute hospital-based coding/CDI experience required.
• Licenses and certifications in health information management are essential.

Responsibilities

• Review coding and clinical denials for accuracy and compliance.
• Compose effective appeals and identify trends in denials.
• Support quality standards and maintain expert knowledge in coding guidelines.

Skills

Acute hospital-based coding

Clinical documentation improvement (CDI)

Denials and appeals management

Regulatory compliance

Remote working

Education

RHIA - Registered Health Information Administrator

RHIT - Registered Health Information Technician

CCS - Certified Coding Specialist

CCDS - Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist

CDIP - Certified Documentation Improvement Practitioner

Job description

WHY UT SOUTHWESTERN?
With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world-renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued employees. Ranked as the number 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth according to U.S. News & World Report, we invest in you with opportunities for career growth and development to align with your future goals. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on-site childcare, wage, merit increases and so much more. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you'll discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and a rewarding career!

JOB SUMMARY
The Coding/CDI Denials Analyst primary responsibilities are to review coding denials for inpatient hospital medical records, for accuracy of assigned codes, and ensure all Official Coding Guidelines and conventions were followed. Also, to ensure the clinical evidence and provider documentation supports the assigned codes and DRG. Compose and submit appeal letters as appropriate, identify coding trends/opportunities for root causes of denials, which would be relevant for additional education to individual Coders/CDI Specialist's and/or the entire Coding/CDI Teams. Report these trends/opportunities to the Lead Denials Analyst to ensure education is developed and provided to the Coders and/or CDI Teams. Identify and communicate front-end activities that influence the denials/appeals process, seeking opportunities for process improvement.

BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:

• PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
• 100% coverage for preventive healthcare-no copay
• Paid Time Off, available day one
• Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
• Paid Parental Leave Benefit
• Wellness programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
• Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Required

• Experience
  3 years three to five (3-5) year's acute hospital-based Coding and/or CDI experience. or
  An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered and
  Denials and Appeals experience in an acute Hospital setting and
  Experience working in a remote environment

• Licenses and Certifications
  (RHIA) REGD HEALTH INFO ADMINIST or
  (RHIT) REGD HEALTH INFO TECHNOLO or
  (CCS) CERT CODING SPECIALIST or
  (CCDS) Cert Clinical Documentation or
  (CDIP) CERT DOCUMNTATN IMPROVMNT PRAC

Preferred

• Experience
  RN with CDI experience

JOB DUTIES

• Review coding and/or clinical denials, ensuring all coding guidelines and conventions were followed, and ensuring all clinical evidence and provider documentation supports the assigned codes and DRG.
• Compose an effective appeal utilizing appropriate coding guidelines, relevant and effective clinical documentation, current industry guidelines, evidence-based medicine, and local and national medical management standards and protocols.
• Identify coding and/or documentation trends for root causes of denials.
• Identify and communicate DRG changes and financial impact.
• Identify coding and clinical educational opportunities and report these to the Lead Denials Analyst.
• Identify front-end activities that influence denial/appeals process.
• Support the Quality Standards set by UTSW and the HIM Coding & CDI Department.
• Maintains an expert level of knowledge of Coding/CDI guidelines and practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

SECURITY AND EEO STATEMENT
Security
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information. To the extent this position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the critical infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired and to continue to be employed in the position.

EEO Statement
UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.