Medical Coder (East Coast United States resident / EST )

Geisinger Health System; United States; On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits from day one (visi

Job summary

Geisinger Health System is seeking a Coder I to translate clinical descriptions into coded designations for hospital and professional records. The coder reviews records, assigns diagnoses and procedures, and follows coding guidelines to support accurate reimbursement.

Responsibilities include reviewing records, querying providers when needed, and staying current with coding regulations. Required: High School Diploma, 1 year related experience, AHIMA or AAPC certification upon hire.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED) is required.
• Graduate from Specialty Training Program is preferred.
• Minimum of 1 year related work experience is required.

Responsibilities

• Reviews the medical record content to identify principal diagnoses and procedures for inpatient or outpatient records.
• Details review of documents such as lab findings, radiology reports, discharge summaries, and progress notes.
• Translates diagnostic and procedural phrases into coded form using standard procedure codes.
• Uses Encoder software to determine codes for all diagnoses and procedures.
• Determines sequencing to maximize reimbursement and assigns the appropriate DRG.
• Queries physicians as needed to clarify documentation.
• Reviews coding guidelines annually and suggests changes for improved data management.
• Notifies Coding Quality and Professional Manager of new diagnoses or technologies documented.

Skills

Communication

Computer Literacy

Medical Records Management

Medical Records Systems

Teamwork

Working Independently

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED)

Graduate from Specialty Training Program

Job description

Coder I

Health information coding is the transformation of verbal descriptions of diseases, injuries, and procedures into numeric or alphanumeric designations. The coding process reviews and analyzes health records to identify relevant diagnoses and procedures for distinct patient encounters. Coders are responsible for translating diagnostic and procedural phrases utilized by healthcare providers into coded form procedure codes that can be utilized for submitting claims to payers for reimbursement. A joint effort between the healthcare provider and the coder is essential to achieve complete and accurate documentation, code assignment, and reporting of diagnoses and procedures.

Job Duties:

• Reviews the content of the medical record for hospital and professional inpatient or outpatient records to identify principal diagnosis, secondary diagnoses and procedures performed that explain the reason for service being provided or the admission and patient severity and comply with standard provider coding regulations.
• Carefully details review of documents such as laboratory findings, radiology reports, various scan reports, discharge summary, history and physical, consultations, orders, progress notes and other ancillary services treatment records needed to ensure all pertinent diagnoses and procedures are recorded.
• Translates all diagnostic and procedural phrases utilized by healthcare providers into coded form using procedure codes as required.
• Using the Encoder software program, determines the codes for all diagnoses and procedures.
• Determines their sequencing to legally maximize reimbursement.
• Assigns the appropriate DRG.
• Assigns codes based on hospital and professional coding guidelines, Coding Clinic directives, federal regulations, CCI coding initiatives, CPT Assistant or other standard coding guidelines Queries physicians as needed to clarify documentation within the patient's record to facilitate complete and accurate coding.
• Reviews coding guidelines on an annual basis and makes recommendations for change to improve coding and data management.
• Communicates to Coding Quality and Professional Manager any new diagnoses, procedures, technologies, etc. documented within patient records to ensure that appropriate diagnosis and procedure codes are selected and incorporated into hospital and professional coding guidelines.
• Updates and corrects historical file data by completing and submitting claim action reports per the PHC4 quarterly report.

Work is typically performed in an office environment. Accountable for satisfying all job specific obligations and complying with all organization policies and procedures. The specific statements in this profile are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements considered necessary to successfully perform the job.

This posting reflects an opening for Coder I and we are seeking candidates for that position. Geisinger reserves the right to consider applicants for higher levels of this role based on their skills, qualifications, and experience.

Position Details:

Coder Level II requirement:

One relevant certification from AHIMA or AAPC is required upon hire. Acceptable certifications include:

• AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association):
• Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
• Certified Coding Specialist – Physician-based (CCS-P)
• Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)
• Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)
• Certified Coding Associate (CCA) – Candidates with only a CCA are required to obtain a CCS, RHIT, or RHIA within 12 months of hire.

All certifications are acceptable from AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders) except:

• Scribe, Documentation, Instructor, and International Credentials
• Certified Professional Biller (CPB)
• Revenue Cycle Management Specialist (RCMS)
• Certified Value-Based Administrator (CVBA)
• Certified Physician Practice Manager (CPPM)
• Certified Professional Compliance Officer (CPCO)

Education:

High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED)- (Required), Graduate from Specialty Training Program- (Preferred)

Experience:

Minimum of 1 year-Related work experience (Required)

Certification(s) and License(s):

Relevant coding certification within 12 months - Default Issuing Body

Skills:

Communication, Computer Literacy, Medical Records Management, Medical Records Systems, Teamwork, Working Independently

OUR PURPOSE & VALUES:

• KINDNESS: We strive to treat everyone as we would hope to be treated ourselves.
• EXCELLENCE: We treasure colleagues who humbly strive for excellence.
• LEARNING: We share our knowledge with the best and brightest to better prepare the caregivers for tomorrow.
• INNOVATION: We constantly seek new and better ways to care for our patients, our members, our community, and the nation.
• SAFETY: We provide a safe environment for our patients and members and the Geisinger family.

• We offer healthcare benefits for full time and part time positions from day one, including vision, dental and domestic partners.

Perhaps just as important, we encourage an atmosphere of collaboration, cooperation and collegiality.

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.