DRG Coding Auditor Principal

Elevance Health; Remote; USD 119,000 - 207,000; Full time

Job summary

A major healthcare firm in Richmond, Virginia is hiring a Senior Auditor for claims auditing with a strong emphasis on ICD-10 coding expertise. The role allows virtual work with occasional in-person training, aiming for high-quality results and collaboration with management. Candidates should have a minimum of 15 years of relevant experience in auditing and hold certifications like RHIA, RHIT, or CCS. The salary range is competitive and benefits are comprehensive.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

401k contribution

Incentive and recognition programs

Qualifications

• Requires extensive knowledge of ICD-9/10CM, MS-DRG, AP-DRG, APR-DRG.
• Experience in a claims auditing, quality assurance, or recovery auditing environment.
• Preferred BA/BS in relevant field.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and audit claims with advanced medical coding principles.
• Validate accuracy and quality standards for audits.
• Collaborate with management for improving selection criteria.

Skills

ICD-10 coding expertise

Claims auditing

Quality assurance

Process improvement

Education

AA/AS or minimum 15 years experience

RHIA, RHIT, CCS, CIC, or CCDS certification

Job description

Job Overview

This role enables associates to work virtually full-time, with the exception of required in‑person training sessions, providing maximum flexibility and autonomy. The approach promotes productivity, supports work‑life integration, and ensures essential face‑to‑face onboarding and skill development. Alternate locations may be considered.

Please note: 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 an accommodation is granted as required by law.

Responsibilities

• 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 of 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

• Requires at least one of the following: 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.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• BA/BS preferred.
• 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.

Location and Salary

For candidates working in person or virtually in the below location(s), the salary range for this specific position is $119,760 to $206,586.

Locations: California; Illinois; Minnesota; New Jersey

Benefits

Elevance Health offers a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). The salary offered is based on non‑discriminatory factors set by the Company. The Company is fully committed to ensuring equal pay opportunities for equal work regardless of gender, race, or any other category protected by federal, state, and local pay equity laws.

Company and Culture

Elevance Health is a health company dedicated to improving lives and communities, a Fortune 25 company with a longstanding history in the healthcare industry. We offer a culture that advances our strategy and supports personal and professional growth.

EEO Statement

Elevance Health is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, genetic information, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Applicants who require accommodation to participate in the job application process may contact [e-mail] for assistance.

Background Check and Arrest Record

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws, including, but not limited to, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act.