Medical Coder (Inpatient)

Aptive; United States; Remote; USD 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Aptive Resources is hiring experienced inpatient coders to support VA medical centers in Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina. You will code inpatient admissions from home using the VA’s electronic health record, handling about 15,000 inpatient episodes per year across Atlanta, Birmingham, Augusta, Charleston, and Central Alabama facilities.

This 100% remote role offers pay of $25-$30/hour and a 12-month base period with four 12-month option periods.

Qualifications

• Active RHIA, RHIT, CCS, or CPC-H credential (CCS preferred).
• At least 2 years inpatient facility coding experience with ICD-10-PCS and DRG assignment.
• Completion of an accredited coding, HIM, or health information program.
• Knowledge of VA systems and coding guidelines is a plus.
• Ability to pass a federal background check and work from a private home workspace.

Responsibilities

• Review inpatient records in CPRS and assign ICD-10-CM/PCS codes and DRGs.
• Complete PTF transactions per VA Handbooks 1907.03/1907.04.
• Abstract data and enter in VistA via VA-approved encoder.
• Determine billable episodes and document non-billable reasons.
• Ensure coding accuracy and respond to VA queries post-billing or after denial.
• Maintain at least 95% accuracy and meet facility turnaround times.

Skills

Inpatient coding

ICD-10-PCS

DRG assignment

VistA/CPRS

Education

RHIA/RHIT/CCS/CPC-H credential

Tools

3M encoder

Optum encoder

Job description

Job Summary

Job Summary:

Location: 100% remote (US only), supporting VA medical centers in VISN 7 Pay: 25.00/hr-30.00/hr · Term: 12-month base period plus four 12-month option periods

About the role

Aptive Resources is hiring experienced inpatient coders to support the Health Information Management Service (HIMS) at Veterans Affairs medical centers across Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina. You'll code inpatient admissions for Veterans from home, using the VA's electronic health record. The VA expects about 15,000 inpatient episodes a year across the Atlanta, Birmingham, Augusta, Charleston, and Central Alabama facilities.

Primary Responsibilities

What you'll do

• Review inpatient records in CPRS and assign accurate ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS codes and DRGs.
• Complete Patient Treatment File (PTF) transactions (101, 401, 501, 601, 701/702, and 801) according to VHA Handbook 1907.03 and 1907.04.
• Abstract the required data and enter it in VistA through the VA-approved encoder.
• Decide whether an episode is billable, and record the reason when it isn't (for example, care for a service-connected condition or Agent Orange exposure).
• Code according to the Cooperating Parties' guidelines, AHA Coding Clinic, and the VHA Handbook for Coding Guidelines. VHA guidance takes priority when they conflict.
• Exclude symptoms that are part of a confirmed diagnosis, and findings that don't affect current care.
• Send questions about conflicting, unclear, or incomplete documentation to your supervisor.
• Re-review your coded records when the VA questions them before billing or after a claim is denied, then correct the codes or back them up with coding references.
• Maintain at least 95% accuracy and meet each facility's turnaround times.

Minimum Qualifications

Required qualifications

• An active RHIA, RHIT, CCS, or CPC-H credential. CCS is preferred for this role.
• At least 2 years of recent inpatient facility coding experience, including ICD-10-PCS and DRG assignment.
• Completion of an accredited coding, HIM, or health information technician program.
• Formal training in anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and reimbursement methods.
• Proficiency with an industry-standard encoder, such as 3M or Optum.
• US citizenship, and the ability to pass a federal background investigation (NACI) and fingerprinting.
• A private, secure home workspace with reliable high-speed internet.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with VA systems, including VistA, CPRS, and the PTF.
• Experience coding for an acute care hospital or academic medical center.
• Experience with CDI queries or responding to claim denials.

Additional requirements

• Complete the VA's annual Privacy and Information Security Awareness and HIPAA training (TMS 10176 and 10203) before starting, and once a year after that.
• Follow AHIMA's Standards of Ethical Coding and VA confidentiality rules.
• Aptive provides the laptop, encoder, and reference materials.

About Aptive

Arrow ARC supports Veterans Health Administration facilities and offices across the U.S. with health care staffing and program support via the 10-year Integrated Critical Staffing Program (ICSP). We provide staffing solutions to address critical shortages in VHA medical facilities caused by turnover, recruitment issues, seasonal needs, surges or emergencies.

Arrow is a certified Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned Small Businessjoint venture between Artemis ARC and AptiveResources, two award-winning companies that share an agile, mission-focused, results driven approach in the federal sector. Arrow provides management consulting services and specializes in working with federal government agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs and Office of Personnel Management.

EEO Statement

Aptive is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran status, age, disability, or any other protected class.

Veterans, members of the Reserve and National Guard, and transitioning active-duty service members are highly encouraged to apply.