DRG Clinical Auditor Principal (US)

Elevance Health (Anthem); Mason (OH); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Elevance Health is seeking a Principal DRG Clinical Auditor to lead inpatient record audits across lines of business. You will apply DRG/APR-DRG methodologies to generate complex findings and support recoveries for the company and its clients.

The role requires expert ICD-10 coding knowledge, strong analytical skills, and the ability to work largely independently while collaborating with management to improve criteria and processes.

Qualifications

• AA/AS or 15+ years in claims auditing or related field.
• Certification: RHIA, RHIT, CCS, CIC or CCDS.
• Minimum 10 years with ICD-9/10CM, MS-DRG, AP-DRG and APR-DRG.

Responsibilities

• Audit inpatient medical records on DRG-based claims across lines of business.
• Generate complex audit findings and letters; support recoveries.
• Identify new claim types and opportunities for process improvements.
• Collaborate with management to refine selection criteria and workflows.
• Perform secondary audits and ensure high-quality outputs.

Skills

ICD-10 coding

Auditing

Medical records review

Analytical reasoning

Education

AA/AS or 15+ years experience in claims auditing

BA/BS preferred

RHIA/RHIT/CCS/CIC/CCDS certification

Tools

Audit tools

Audit workflow systems

Job description

Job Description:

Location: This role enables associates to work virtually full-time , except for required in-person training sessions, providing maximum flexibility and autonomy. This approach promotes productivity, supports work-life integration, and ensures essential face-to-face onboarding and skill development. Alternate locations may be considered if candidates reside within a commuting distance from an office.

Please note that per our policy on hybrid/virtual work, candidates not within a reasonable commuting distance from the posting location(s) will not be considered for employment, unless accommodation is granted as required by law.

The DRG Clinical Auditor Principal is responsible for auditing inpatient medical records on claims paid based on Diagnostic Relation Group (DRG) methodology, including case rate and per diem, generating highly complex audit findings recoverable claims for the benefit of the Company, for all lines of business, and its clients. Specializes in review of DRG coding via medical record and attending physician's statement provided by acute care hospitals on paid DRG, especially on very complex coding cases that are paid using APS-DRG, APR-DRG, AP-DRG, MS-DRG or TRICARE methodology and findings may be so complex and advanced that disputes or appeals may only be reviewed by other DRG Coding Audit Principals (or Executives).

How you'll make a difference:

• Analyzes and audits claims by integrating advanced or convoluted medical chart coding principles (found in the Official Coding Guidelines, Coding Clinics, and the ICD-10 Alphabetic and Tabular Indices), complex clinical guidelines and maintaining objectivity in the performance of medical audit activities.
• Draws on extremely advanced ICD-10 coding expertise, clinical guidelines, and industry knowledge to substantiate sophisticated conclusions.
• Utilizes audit tools and auditing workflow systems and reference information to make audit determinations and generate audit findings letters.
• Validates accuracy and quality standards as set by audit management for the auditing concept, valid claim identification, and documentation purposes (e.g., letter writing) on lower level auditors.
• Identifies new claim types by identifying potential claims outside the concept where additional recoveries may be available, such as re-admissions, Inpatient to Outpatient, and Hospital Acquired Conditions (HACs), Preventable Adverse Events (PAEs) or Never Events. Suggests and develops high quality, high value concept and or process improvement and efficiency recommendations.
• Operates largely independently and autonomously with little oversight due to extremely high quality output and audit results that only the most advanced and experienced DRG Coding Auditors would understand.
• Performs secondary audits on claims that have been reviewed by other DRG Coders for missed opportunities and identifies gaps in foundational audit knowledge.
• Collaborates with management to improve selection criteria.

Minimum Requirements:

• AA/AS or minimum of 15 years of experience in claims auditing, quality assurance, or recovery auditing.
• Requires at least one of the following certifications: RHIA certification as a Registered Health Information Administrator, RHIT certification as a Registered Health Information Technician, CCS as a Certified Coding Specialist, CIC as a Certified Inpatient Coder, or Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist (CCDS).
• Requires minimum of 10 years experience working with ICD-9/10CM, MS-DRG, AP-DRG and APR-DRG. BA/BS preferred.

Preferred skills, qualifications and experiences:

• Experience with vendor based DRG Coding / Clinical Validation Audit setting or hospital coding or quality assurance environment preferred.
• Broad, deep and niche knowledge of medical claims billing/payment systems provider billing guidelines, payer reimbursement policies, billing validation criteria and coding terminology strongly preferred.

Job Level: Non-Management Exempt

Job Family: MED > Licensed/Certified - Other

Please be advised that Elevance Health only accepts resumes for compensation from agencies that have a signed agreement with Elevance Health. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Elevance Health.

Who We Are

Elevance Health is a health company dedicated to improving lives and communities - and making healthcare simpler. We are a Fortune 25 company with a longstanding history in the healthcare industry, looking for leaders at all levels of the organization who are passionate about making an impact on our members and the communities we serve.

How We Work

At Elevance Health, we are creating a culture that is designed to advance our strategy but will also lead to personal and professional growth for our associates. Our values and behaviors are the root of our culture. They are how we achi