HIM Inpatient Coding Spec II

Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System; Bala Cynwyd (PA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive compensation

Prepaid tuition assistance

Health and wellness programs

Job summary

A leading academic medical center in Pennsylvania is seeking a HIM Inpatient Coding Specialist II to ensure precise coding and abstracting of medical records. The successful candidate will have a CCS certification and at least one year of experience in coding inpatient records. Key responsibilities include managing retrospective coding queries and adhering to strict accuracy standards. This position supports the healthcare system's goal of high-quality patient care and compliance in revenue cycle operations.

Qualifications

• Certification as a Coding Specialist (CCS) required.
• 1+ years of coding inpatient records experience is required.
• Ability to maintain accuracy and productivity standards in coding.

Responsibilities

• Perform coding and abstracting for inpatient medical records.
• Ensure accurate DRG coding for reimbursement.
• Handle retrospective queries and improve coding accuracy.

Skills

Attention to detail

Medical coding knowledge

Analytical skills

Collaboration

Education

H.S. Diploma/GED

1+ years of experience coding inpatient medical records

Bachelor of Arts or Science, Health Information Management or related field

Tools

Epic system

Job description

Description

Penn Medicine is dedicated to our tripartite mission of providing the highest level of care to patients, conducting innovative research, and educating future leaders in the field of medicine. Working for this leading academic medical center means collaboration with top clinical, technical and business professionals across all disciplines. Today at Penn Medicine, someone will make a breakthrough. Someone will heal a heart, deliver hopeful news, and give comfort and reassurance. Our employees shape our future each day. Are you living your life's work?

HIM Inpatient Coding Specialist II

Job Summary

• Performs all coding and abstracting for Penn Medicine by reviewing medical records and selecting the principal diagnosis, secondary diagnoses, principal procedure, and secondary procedures accurately. Performs analysis of the DRG assigned to produce the highest level of reimbursement to which the facility is legally entitled according to stringent coding and compliance guidelines. Reviews and acts as the gatekeeper for the provider query process, by being the single point of contact with the provider community. Assist the Revenue Cycle Manager by completing the preliminary DRG report for Finance, and compiling additional reports as needed to demonstrate where HIM is in meeting their weekly DNFB goals.

Responsibilities

• Examines the complete medical record to accurately determine the principal & secondary diagnoses, procedures, co-morbidities and complications demonstrating 96% accuracy as determined by audits.
• Sequence the diagnoses & procedures to obtain the optimal DRG or APR-DRG assignment and demonstrates 96% accuracy as determined by monthly audits.
• Demonstrate 95% accuracy for secondary diagnosis coding
• Simultaneously abstracts and enters all coded information into the Epic system for timely billing. This includes the correct discharge disposition verified through the workflow located in Epic.
• Demonstrates a consistent level of performance; strives to maintain a steady level of productivity according to the following guidelines:

HUP & PPMC: Average of 15 inpatient records coded daily

PAH, CCH, and Princeton: Average of 19 inpatient records coded daily

Process retrospective queries at any facility. Productivity standard of 22 per day

• Must possess the ability to code all facilities while maintain the accuracy and productivity standards set above
• Refers charts that require clarification of vague or unclear documentation for accurate coding and DRG assignment to a Coding Quality Specialist to query the physician for the needed documentation.
• Promptly and accurately assigns Coding Hold reasons to all records that cannot be completed immediately due to:

• Missing Operative Notes
• Missing Pathology Report
• Physician Query Needed
• Mortality Review
• Discharge Disposition
• Missing Other Reports (Card Cath, EPS, etc)

• Is willing to adjust schedule to complete workload and meet pivotal revenue cycle deadlines when requested by management. Cooperates with departmental work volumes by adjusting work schedule.
• Correctly identifies and applies Present on Admission indicators to all applicable diagnoses according to designated guidelines. Accuracy is important due to the far-reaching impact on reimbursement and quality metrics.
• Consistently codes the oldest cases first and prioritizes high dollar cases over 4 days old first.
• Strives to become fluent in the inpatient coding at all of the UPHS facilities.
• Performs revenue cycle/DNFB activities as needed.
• Reviews and processes provider queries. This includes working with the coding staff to appropriately write the query as well as communicating with the provider community to ensure the query is answered.
• Responsible for continuing education both inside and outside the organization along with tracking Continuing Education credits to maintain professional credentials.
• Performs duties in accordance with Penn Medicine and entity values, policies, and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned to support the unit, department, entity, and health system organization.

Credentials

• Certified Coding Specialist-CCS (AHIMA) (Required)
• RHIA or RHIT (Preferred).

Education or Equivalent Experience

• H.S. Diploma/GED (Required)
• 1+ years of experience coding inpatient medical records (Required)
• Bachelor of Arts or Science, Health Information Management or related field (Preferred)

We believe that the best care for our patients starts with the best care for our employees. Our employee benefits programs help our employees get healthy and stay healthy. We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits program that includes one of the finest prepaid tuition assistance programs in the region. Penn Medicine employees are actively engaged and committed to our mission. Together we will continue to make medical advances that help people live longer, healthier lives.

Live Your Life's Work

We are an Equal Opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, familial status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status, citizenship status, military status, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable law.