Coding Compliance Auditor - Coding Services - Full Time 8 Hour Days (Non-Exempt) (Non-Union)

University of Southern California; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Southern California seeks a Coding Compliance Auditor to perform 2nd level reviews of coded accounts, ensuring CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS accuracy. Responsible for reports, data analytics, and education to maintain high compliance and timely clean claims.

Requires 5 years in coding/auditing and CPC/CCS-P credentials. Role works with Cerner, MediTech, Epic, and Athena IDX systems, under general supervision, with an hourly wage range described in the posting.

Qualifications

• Five (5) years of ICD-9/ICD-10 coding and auditing experience.
• Certified Professional Coder (CPC) or CCS-P.
• Pass professional coding test with a score ≥85%.
• Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) required within 30 days of hire.
• Knowledge of Official Coding Guidelines and CMS regulations.

Responsibilities

• Perform monthly internal coding audits to evaluate accuracy of coding staff.
• Develop monitoring/education plans for staff who do not meet accuracy rate.
• Act as a resource to coding staff, USC Care staff, and providers on coding issues.
• Produce reports and analytics on coding accuracy, denial analytics, and related metrics.
• Assist documentation and coding education as needed.

Skills

Coding audits

CMS regulations

Medical coding

Data analytics

EMR systems

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Specialized/technical training

Medical Terminology training

Tools

Cerner

MediTech

Epic

Athena IDX

Job description

In accordance with current federal coding compliance regulations and guidelines, the Coding Compliance Auditor performs 2nd level review of previously coded accounts to ensure appropriate CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS assignments – and accuracy and completeness of all ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS codes assigned by professional revenue coders and providers. All assigned codes must be supported by professional documentation contained within the medical record and must be in compliance with federal coding compliance regulations, Official Coding Guidelines, AHA Coding Clinic, and CPT Assistant. The Coding Compliance Auditor will also, provide detailed reports, Excel spreadsheets, coding audit summary analysis, and data analytics Re: coding accuracy rates, compliance rates, denial analytics, etc. Recommend education topics based on audit findings and assist in the continuing education of professional coders and providers. Understands coding/billing computer systems such as Cerner, MediTech, Epic, and Athena IDX in a manner to assure clean claims release for billing in a timely manner. Participate in response to inquiries regarding coding and documentation from coders, providers, and all other hospital staff. Perform other coding department related duties as assigned by Coding management.

CODING AUDITING

• 1. Performs monthly internal coding audits to evaluate accuracy of coding staff to ensure a required coding accuracy rate.
• 2. Develops monitoring/education plans for coding staff who do not meet the required accuracy rate.
• 3. Recognizes education needs of staff based on monthly reviews and conducts related in‑services, as needed.
• 4. Ability to act as a resource to coding staff, USC Care staff, and providers on coding issues and questions.
• 5. Ability to achieve a 95% accuracy rate as determined by an annual external review of coding.

UNDER GENERAL SUPERVISION, RESPONSIBLE FOR

• 1. Professional coding of all diagnostic and procedural information from the medical records using ICD-10-CM, and CPT/HCPCS, and Modifier classification systems and abstracting patient information as established and required by official coding laws, regulations, rules, guidelines, and conventions.
• 2. Works cooperatively with Coding Support and/or CBO, in obtaining documentation to complete medical records and ensure optimal and accurate assignment of diagnosis & procedure codes.
• 3. Attendance, punctuality, and professionalism in all Coding and work-related activities.
• 4. Consistently assumes responsibility and displays reliability for completion of tasks, duties, communications, and actions. Completes tasks accurately, legibly, and in a timely fashion.
• 5. Performs other duties as requested/assigned by Director, Manager, Supervisor, or designee.

TIMELINESS OF AUDITING/CODING & PRODUCTIVITY

• 1. Maintains at minimum, expected productivity standards, and strives to maintain a steady level of productivity and provides consistent effort.
• 2. Works coding queues/task lists to ensure charges are released within defined timelines.
• 3. Assist other coders in performance of duties including answering questions and providing guidance, as necessary.
• 4. Assists Billing department, USC Care coding department, and other departments in addressing coding issues/questions and/or providing information so that an charges can be generated. Assists physicians, APPs, physician office staff and hospital ancillary department staff with diagnostic or procedural coding issues/questions, as needed.
• 5. Assists in the monitoring unbilled accounts to ensure that the oldest records are coded and/or given priority.

POLICY & PROCEDURES; PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT

• 1. Consistently adhere to coding policies and procedures as directed by Coding management.
• 2. Demonstrates an understanding of policies and procedures and priorities, seeking clarification as needed.
• 3. Participates in continuously assessing and improving departmental performance.
• 4. Ability to communicate changes to improve processes to the director, as needed.
• 5. Assists in department and section quality improvement activities and processes (i.e. Performance Improvement).

COMMUNICATION

• 1. Works and communicates in a positive manner with management and supervisory staff, medical staff, co‑workers and other healthcare personnel.
• 2. Ability to communicate effectively intra‑departmentally and inter‑departmentally.
• 3. Ability to communicate effectively with external customers.
• 4. Provides timely follow‑up with both written and verbal requests for information, including voice mail and email. Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications: Req High school or equivalent Req Specialized/technical training Successful completion of college courses in Medical Terminology, Anatomy & Physiology and a certified coding course Combined education/experience can substitute for Completion of Specialized/Technical Training Courses Req 5 years Five (5) -years of experience in ICD-9 & ICD-10 (combined) coding and auditing of Professional charges, E/M, surgical, and multispecialty medical records in the clinic and hospital setting and experience in researching CMS regulations and guidance for documentation and coding.

Required Licenses/Certifications:

• Req Certified Professional Coder - CPC (AAPC) AAPC Certified Professional Coder (CPC), OR AHIMA Certified Coding Specialist – Physician (CCS-P)
• Req Successful completion of the professional specific coding test – with a passing score of ≥85%. *The coding test may be waived for former USC or agency/contract Coding Dept. coders who historically/previously met the ≥ 90% internal/external audit standards of the previously held USC Job Code.
• Req Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) If no card upon hire, one must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained by renewal before expiration date. (Required within LA City only).

The hourly rate range for this position is $33.00 - $54.02. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at [phone], or by email at [e-mail]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law. Notice of Non-discrimination Employment Equity Read USC’s Clery Act Annual Security Report USC is a smoke‑free environment.

Keck Medicine of USC is the University of Southern California’s medical enterprise, one of only two university-based medical systems in the Los Angeles area. Keck Medicine combines academic excellence, world‑class research and state‑of‑the‑art facilities to provide highly specialized care for some of the most acute patients in the country. Our internationally renowned physicians and scientists provide world‑class patient care at Keck Hospital of USC, USC Norris Cancer Hospital, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, USC Arcadia Hospital and more than 100 unique clinics in Los Angeles, Orange, Kern, Tulare and Ventura counties. Keck Medical Center of USC, which includes Keck Hospital and USC Norris Cancer Hospital, is among the top 50 hospitals in the country in 8 specialties, as well as the top three hospitals in metro Los Angeles and top 10 hospitals in California, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2024‑25 Best Hospitals rankings.