Medical Billing Coder I - UMC Billing Office

The University of Alabama; Tuscaloosa (AL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Alabama is seeking a Medical Billing Coder I to support the College of Community Health Sciences in an academic environment. The role focuses on timely and accurate processing of multi-specialty visits and hospital encounters using CPT, HCPCS, and ICD-10 coding standards.

Mon-Fri 8:00am–5:00pm with some evenings and weekends; provides follow-up on unpaid claims and resolves denials while ensuring patient confidentiality and HIPAA compliance.

Qualifications

• Experience processing charges in an electronic health record system.
• Strong organizational and effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Process and code charges in the EHR system.
• Follow up on unpaid insurance claims and denials.
• Assist with patient billing inquiries and payments processing.
• Prepare End of Day reports and maintain HIPAA compliance.

Skills

Organizational skills

Written and verbal communication

Attention to detail

Time management

Confidentiality

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate's degree or medical coding certificate

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel

Word

Job description

Pay Grade/Pay Range:Minimum: $21.44 - Midpoint: $26.83 (Hourly N6)

Department/Organization:208411 - UMC Business Office

Normal Work Schedule:Monday - Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm; some evenings & weekends

Job Summary

The Medical Billing Coder I provides timely and accurate processing of multi-specialty physician office visits, I/P and surgical hospital visits, and procedural coding in an academic environment. Reviews and corrects charges submitted from the clinic and hospital electronic health record using CPT, HCPCS, ICD-10 and insurance payer standards. Follows-up with accounts receivable on unpaid insurance claims. Corrects denials and audit trails. Responds to patient statement inquiries.

Additional Department Summary

Supports medical billing services for the College of Community Health Sciences (CCHS). Prepares and submits clean claims to various insurance companies either electronically or by paper. Reviews and verifies that documentation supports diagnoses, procedures and treatment results. Trends problems in billing and coding and provides timely feedback to Supervisor. Advises Faculty, Residents, other learners, and clinical staff regarding proper documentation and coding services. Resolves coding edits at the time of charge entry to ensure timely claim submission.

Answers questions from patients, clinicians, clerical staff and insurance companies. Identifies and resolves patient billing inquiries. Evaluates patient’s financial status and establishes budget payment plans. Identifies and flags delinquent accounts for submission to the collection agency. Completes worklog tasks and outstanding accounts receivable reports by contacting insurance companies to resolve denials; submits appeals and calls patients to resolve COB issues. Processes payments from patients and prepares End of Day reports. Maintains strictest confidentiality; adheres to all HIPAA guidelines/regulations.

Required Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or GED and four (4) years of medical bill coding experience; OR associate's degree or medical coding certificate and two (2) years of medical bill coding experience; OR bachelor's degree and some medical bill coding experience.

Skills and Knowledge

Experience processing charges submitted in an electronic health record system. Excellent organizational and effective written and verbal communication skills. Detailed oriented. Excellent customer service skills, with respect, cultural awareness, and sensitivity. Ability to work independently and problem-solving skills. Time management skills. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated knowledge and skill in working with Excel spreadsheets and Word documents. Certified Professional Coder (CPC) by American Association of Professional coders (AAPC). Certified Coding Specialist by American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). ICD-10 training/experience.

Background Investigation Statement

Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to any legally protected basis and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. More information is available in the EEOC’s Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal poster.

The University of Alabama affirms its longstanding commitment to institutional neutrality, free speech, and academic freedom.