HIM Inpatient Coding Specialist I

Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System; Bala Cynwyd (PA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Prepaid tuition assistance

Comprehensive health benefits

Career development opportunities

Job summary

A leading academic medical center is seeking a Coding Specialist responsible for coding and abstracting inpatient medical records. The role demands accuracy in DRG assignment and adherence to coding guidelines. Candidates should have a CCS certification and experience in medical record analysis. This position emphasizes productivity and accuracy, crucial for reimbursement metrics, within a supportive work environment in Bala Cynwyd, PA.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of experience in coding inpatient medical records.
• Certification as a Coding Specialist is required.
• Ability to maintain accuracy of 95% as per audits.

Responsibilities

• Perform coding and abstracting by reviewing medical records accurately.
• Ensure timely billing in accordance with Penn Medicine guidelines.
• Refers charts needing documentation clarity to specialists.

Skills

Coding and abstracting

DRG assignment

Medical record analysis

Attention to detail

Education

Certified Coding Specialist - CCS

H.S. Diploma/GED

Bachelor's degree

Tools

EPIC

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?

Department: Corporate HIM Coding

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Summary: describes the responsibilities and expectations for the coding and abstracting role, including analyzing medical records, DRG assignment, and timely billing within Penn Medicine guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Performs all coding and abstracting 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.
• Examines the complete medical record to accurately determine the principal & secondary diagnoses, procedures, co-morbidities and complications demonstrating 95% accuracy as determined by audits.
• Sequences the diagnoses & procedures to obtain the optimal DRG or APR-DRG assignment and demonstrates 95% accuracy as determined by monthly audits.
• Simultaneously abstracts and enters all coded information into EPIC for timely billing. This includes the correct discharge disposition verified through the CRM notes available in PennChart.
• Demonstrates a consistent level of performance strives to maintain a steady level of productivity according to the following guidelines: HUP - Average of 7.5-11.5 inpatient records coded daily; PPMC - Average of 7.5-11.5 inpatient records coded daily; PAH - Average of 15 inpatient med/surg charts coded daily.
• 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, Death Review, Discharge Disposition, Missing Other Reports (Card Cath, EPS, etc).
• 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.
• 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.
• Strives to become fluent in the inpatient coding at all of the UPHS facilities.
• 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

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

Education or Equivalent Experience

• H.S. Diploma/GED. (Required)
• Previous work experience or training in coding inpatient medical records. (Required)
• Bachelor's degree. (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.