Hospital Coder

albanymed; United States; Remote; USD 59,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

Albany Medical Center is seeking a Hospital Coder to apply ICD-10-CM/PCS, CPT-4 and related guidelines to assign accurate codes for Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement. This fully remote role emphasizes data integrity, continuing education, and adherence to coding conventions.

The ideal candidate will have a coding credential (AHIMA or AAPC), strong computer skills, and the ability to work independently in a remote setup while maintaining patient confidentiality.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma/G.E.D. - required
• Prior experience in hospital medical coding - preferred
• Prior experience with 3M 360 and EPIC system - preferred
• Applicants must receive a score of 80% or above on assessment. Will consider new coders with a higher assessment score.
• Excellent computer skills, navigating multiple systems at once, troubleshooting.
• Must be able to work independently as position is fully remote.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of ICD-10-CM, and ICD-10-PCS or CPT-4 Coding classification system, depending on the position being hired for.
• Detail-oriented and efficient while maintaining productivity.
• Coding certification / credential through AHIMA or AAPC and be in good standing. - required

Responsibilities

• Use a computerized encoding system to facilitate accurate coding.
• Sequence diagnoses and procedures by following the ICD-10-CM/PCS, CPT4, UHDDS, Medicare and Medicaid guidelines.
• Support reporting of healthcare data elements for external reporting and reimbursement requirements.
• Query the provider for clarification when documentation is incomplete or ambiguous.
• Advance coding knowledge through continuing education and training.
• Demonstrate integrity and ethical coding practices.
• Apply official coding rules to represent patient services on claims.
• Comply with internal coding policies and procedures.
• Attend coding meetings and roundtables.
• Participate in daily huddles and LEAN problem-solving activities.
• Maintain a distraction-free work environment and participate in meetings.
• Ensure camera is on during Teams calls.
• Assist with organizing the shared drive for the medical coding department.
• Execute other duties as assigned by manager.

Skills

ICD-10-CM/PCS knowledge

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Remote work capability

Coding assessment

Education

High School Diploma/G.E.D.

Tools

3M 360

EPIC system

Job description

Department/Unit:

Health Information Management

Work Shift:

Day (United States of America)

Salary Range:

$59,066.00 - $88,599.00

The Hospital Coder applies skills and knowledge of currently mandated coding and classification systems, and official resources to select the appropriate diagnostic and procedural codes (including applicable modifiers), and other codes representing healthcare services (including substances, equipment, supplies, or other items used in the provision of healthcare services). This position is responsible for selecting and sequencing the codes such that the organization receives the optimal reimbursement to which the facility is legally entitled, remembering that it is unethical and illegal to increase reimbursement by means that contradict requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Use a computerized encoding system to facilitate accurate coding.
• Sequence diagnoses and procedures by following the ICD-10-CM/PCS, CPT4, Uniform Hospital Discharge Data Set (UHDDS), Medicare, Medicaid and other fiscal intermediary guidelines.
• Support the reporting of healthcare data elements (e.g. diagnoses and procedure codes, hospital acquired conditions, patient safety indicators) required for external reporting purposes (e.g. reimbursement, value based purchasing initiatives and other administrative uses, population health, quality and patient safety measurement, and research) completely and accurately, in accordance with regulatory and documentation standards and requirements, as well as all applicable official coding conventions, rules, and guidelines.
• Query the provider (physician or other qualified healthcare practitioner), whether verbal or written, for clarification and/or additional documentation when there is conflicting, incomplete, or ambiguous information in the health record regarding a significant reportable condition or procedure or other reportable data element dependent on health record documentation (e.g. present on admission indicators).
• Advance coding knowledge and practice through continuing education, including but not limited to meeting continuing education requirements.
• Demonstrate behavior that reflects integrity, shows a commitment to ethical and legal coding practices, and fosters trust in professional activities.
• Advances coding knowledge and practice through continuing education, including but not limited to meeting continuing education requirements.
• Utilizes official coding rules and guidelines apply the most accurate coding to represent that patient services on the hospital claim.
• Comply with comprehensive internal coding policies and procedures that are consistent with requirements.
• Attends coding meetings and roundtable sessions.
• Participates in daily huddles and LEAN problem-solving activities.
• Focused with no distractions while working and participating in meetings.
• Ensures camera on while attending Teams calls.
• Assists with organizing the shared drive for the medical coding department.
• Other duties as assigned by manager.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma/G.E.D. - required
• Prior experience in hospital medical coding - preferred
• Prior experience with 3M 360 and EPIC system - preferred
• Applicants must receive a score of 80% or above on assessment. Will consider new coders with a higher assessment score. (High proficiency)
• Excellent computer skills, navigating multiple systems at once, troubleshooting. (High proficiency)
• Must be able to work independently as position is fully remote. Maintain a remote coding work area that protects confidential health information. (High proficiency)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. (High proficiency)
• Knowledge of ICD-10-CM, and ICD-10-PCS or CPT-4 Coding classification system, depending on the position being hired for. (High proficiency)
• Detail-oriented and efficient while maintaining productivity.
• Coding certification / credential through AHIMA or AAPC and be in good standing. - required
• Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Physical Demands

• Standing - Occasionally
• Walking - Occasionally
• Sitting - Constantly
• Lifting - Rarely
• Carrying - Rarely
• Pushing - Rarely
• Pulling - Rarely
• Climbing - Rarely
• Balancing - Rarely
• Stooping - Rarely
• Kneeling - Rarely
• Crouching - Rarely
• Crawling - Rarely
• Reaching - Rarely
• Handling - Occasionally
• Grasping - Occasionally
• Feeling - Rarely
• Talking - Frequently
• Hearing - Frequently
• Repetitive Motions - Frequently
• Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination - Frequently

Working Conditions

• Extreme cold - Rarely
• Extreme heat - Rarely
• Humidity - Rarely
• Wet - Rarely
• Noise - Occasionally
• Hazards - Rarely
• Temperature Change - Rarely
• Atmospheric Conditions - Rarely
• Vibration - Rarely

Thank you for your interest in Albany Medical Center! Albany Medical Center is an equal opportunity employer.

This role may require access to information considered sensitive to Albany Medical Center, its patients, affiliates, and partners, including but not limite