Inpatient Coder - HIM Specialist

10 Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 27,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in the United States seeks a Health Information Management coder to accurately assign ICD-10-CM codes for inpatient records and ensure compliance with IRF PPS guidelines. You will support coding accuracy and contribute to reducing billing errors under the Health Information Management leadership.

The role requires RHIA/RHIT/CCS credentials, strong anatomy/terminology knowledge, and the ability to work with interdisciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• Associates degree or equivalent training required through, at least, five (5) years of progressive on-the-job experience.
• RHIA, RHIT, CCS certification.
• Advanced understanding of anatomy & physiology, medical terminology, and record documentation requirements.
• Familiarity with principles and practices of HIM and understand how they apply to hospital records and coding.
• Strong and effective interpersonal skills, including oral and written.
• Time management skills to handle multiple, competing demands and priorities, and work effectively under pressure.
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Quick learning style with the ability to ask discerning questions.
• Sense of urgency and ability to quickly adapt to changes in priorities.
• Collaborative team style and open communication, including with other departments and sites.
• Self-directing organized and can reason objectively.
• Must be able to work independently as well as in a group functioning in a multi-task environment.
• Excellent analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to organizational mission with a “whatever it takes” attitude to get the job done.
• Credible and trustworthy.
• Information-management skills and ability to interpret, communicate, and present data.

Responsibilities

• Determine and assign etiology code(s), and co morbidity condition code(s) for each inpatient admission according to IRF PPS coding guidelines. Collaborate with UR Coordinator, PPS Specialist, and/or Attending Physician when necessary, regarding assignment of etiology code and Impairment Group Code.
• Upon inpatient discharge, review, and research appropriate provider documentation to determine principal diagnoses, co-morbid conditions, complications, secondary conditions and surgical procedures.
• Determine and assign etiology code(s), and co morbidity condition code(s) for each inpatient admission according to IRF PPS coding guidelines. Collaborate with UR Coordinator, PPS Specialist, and/or Attending Physician when necessary, regarding assignment of etiology code and Impairment Group Code.
• Utilizes technical coding principles and CMG reimbursement expertise to assign appropriate ICD-10-CM codes to diagnoses and procedures. Correctly record codes for the UB-04 as well as the IRF-PAI instrument carefully adhering to IRF PPS coding requirements.
• Analyze records for completeness and appropriate code justification, if unable to validate, persist in additional research and follow up for analysis and final adjudication.
• Query provider (physician or other qualified healthcare practitioner) for clarification and additional documentation prior to code assignment when there is conflicting, incomplete, or ambiguous information in the health record.
• Maintain comprehensive awareness of IRF-PPS policy changes, including tier codes, documentation requirements, and IRF-PPS guidelines.
• Provide physician education regarding documentation requirements needed for accurate code assignment.
• Abides by the Standards of Ethical Coding as set forth by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and adheres to official coding guidelines.

Skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Time management

Attention to detail

Effective written communication

Ability to work under pressure

Education

Associates degree or equivalent training

RHIA, RHIT, CCS certification

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Job description

Mary Free Bed Summary

We have the great privilege of helping patients and families re-build their lives. It’s extraordinarily meaningful work and the reason we greet the day with optimism and anticipation. When patients “Ask for Mary,” they experience a culture that has been sculpted for more than a century. Our hallmark is to carefully listen to patients and innovatively serve them. This is true of every employee, from support staff and leadership to clinicians and care providers. Mary Free Bed is a not-for-profit, nationally accredited rehabilitation hospital serving thousands of children and adults each year through inpatient, outpatient, sub-acute rehabilitation, orthotics and prosthetics and home and community programs. With the most comprehensive rehabilitation services in Michigan and an exclusive focus on rehabilitation, Mary Free Bed physicians, nurses and therapists help our patients achieve outstanding clinical outcomes. The growing Mary Free Bed Network provides patients throughout the state with access to our unique standard of care Mission Statement Restoring hope and freedom through rehabilitation.

Employment Value Proposition

• Focus on Patient Care. A selfless drive to serve and heal connects all MFB employees.
• Clinical Variety and Challenge. An inter-disciplinary approach and a top team of professionals create ever-changing opportunities and activities.
• Family Culture. We offer the stability of a large organization while nurturing the family/team atmosphere of a small organization.
• Trust in Each Other. Each employee knows that co-workers can be trusted to make the right decision for our family, patients, staff, and community.
• A Proud Tradition. Years of dedicated, quality service to our patients and community have yielded a reputation that fills our employees with pride.

Summary Review

Clinical documentation and diagnostic results as appropriate to extract data and apply appropriate ICD-10-CM codes for billing, internal and external reporting, research, and regulatory compliance. Under the direction of the manager of Health Information Management, accurately code inpatient conditions and procedures as documented in the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting. Assist in design and implementation of workflow changes to reduce billing errors and remain abreast of all applicable Federal, State, regulatory and hospital-specific coding guidelines.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Determine and assign etiology code(s), and co morbidity condition code(s) for each inpatient admission according to IRF PPS coding guidelines. Collaborate with UR Coordinator, PPS Specialist, and/or Attending Physician when necessary, regarding assignment of etiology code and Impairment Group Code.
• Upon inpatient discharge, review, and research appropriate provider documentation to determine principal diagnoses, co-morbid conditions, complications, secondary conditions and surgical procedures.
• Determine and assign etiology code(s), and co morbidity condition code(s) for each inpatient admission according to IRF PPS coding guidelines. Collaborate with UR Coordinator, PPS Specialist, and/or Attending Physician when necessary, regarding assignment of etiology code and Impairment Group Code.
• Utilizes technical coding principles and CMG reimbursement expertise to assign appropriate ICD-10-CM codes to diagnoses and procedures. Correctly record codes for the UB-04 as well as the IRF-PAI instrument carefully adhering to IRF PPS coding requirements.
• Analyze records for completeness and appropriate code justification, if unable to validate, persist in additional research and follow up for analysis and final adjudication.
• Query provider (physician or other qualified healthcare practitioner) for clarification and additional documentation prior to code assignment when there is conflicting, incomplete, or ambiguous information in the health record.
• Maintain comprehensive awareness of IRF-PPS policy changes, including tier codes, documentation requirements, and IRF-PPS guidelines.
• Provide physician education regarding documentation requirements needed for accurate code assignment.
• Abides by the Standards of Ethical Coding as set forth by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and adheres to official coding guidelines.

Customer Service Responsibilities

Demonstrate excellent customer service and standards of behaviors as well as encourages, coaches, and monitors the same in team members. This individual should consistently promote teamwork and direct communication with co-workers and deal discretely and sensitively with confidential information.

Responsibilities in Quality Improvement

Contribute by identifying problems and seeking solutions. Promote patient/family satisfaction where possible; participates in departmental efforts to monitor and report customer service.

Essential Job Qualifications

• Associates degree or equivalent training required through, at least, five (5) years of progressive on-the-job experience.
• RHIA, RHIT, CCS certification.
• Advanced understanding of anatomy & physiology, medical terminology, and record documentation requirements.
• Familiarity with principles and practices of HIM and understand how they apply to hospital records and coding.
• Strong and effective interpersonal skills, including oral and written.
• Time management skills to handle multiple, competing demands and priorities, and work effectively under pressure.
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Quick learning style with the ability to ask discerning questions.
• Sense of urgency and ability to quickly adapt to changes in priorities.
• Collaborative team style and open communication, including with other departments and sites.
• Self-directing organized and can reason objectively.
• Must be able to work independently as well as in a group functioning in a multi-task environment.
• Excellent analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to organizational mission with a “whatever it takes” attitude to get the job done.
• Credible and trustworthy.
• Information-management skills and ability to interpret, communicate, and present data.

Preferred Job Qualifications

• IRF Coding experience and/or acute care hospital inpatient coding experience preferred.

Physical Requirements for Essential Job Qualification Levels

• None (No specific requirements)
• Occasionally (Less than 1/3)
• Frequently (1/3 to 2/3)
• Majority (More than 2/3)

Remain in a stationary position: Majority Traverse or move around work location: None Use keyboard: Frequently Operate or use department specific equipment: None Ascend/Descend equipment or ladder: None Position self to accomplish the Essential Functions of the role: None Receive and communicate information and ideas for understanding: Frequently Transport, position, and/or exert force: Up to 10 pounds: Occasionally Up to 25 pounds: _____ Up to 50 pounds: _____ Up to 75 pounds: _____ More than 100 pounds: _____ Other weight: Up to___ pounds _____ Other: None

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship.

The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Talent Acquisition team at [e-mail].

Mary Free Bed is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, genetic information, veteran status, disability or other legally protected characteristic.

Compensation based on experience, starting from $23.45.

At Mary Free Bed, we work towards putting everybody in motion. Fueled by our passion for innovative, integrated rehabilitation care, our teams work together to elevate everyone’s potential. Whether you’re here to ensure a safe environment at our hospitals, provide clinical care or help our patients navigate their next appointment, we’re united by the same mission: to restore hope and freedom through rehabilitation. Everyone plays an integral role in defining a better future for ourselves, our patients, and our communities.

You included.