Medical Records Technician (Coder) Auditor

AAPC; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework available

Paid time off

Parental leave

Federal retirement benefits

Job summary

Veterans Affairs is seeking an Allied Health Professional to ensure proper ICD-10-CM/ICD-10-PCS code selection and accurate CPT/HCPCS usage. The role involves auditing inpatient and outpatient records, applying VA VER A guidelines, and collaborating with coding and clinical staff to improve accuracy and compliance.

The position requires reviewing multiple coding systems, providing training, and preparing feedback based on audit results. Telework is noted; facility-based scheduling applies.

Qualifications

• Applies comprehensive knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, disease processes and treatment modalities.
• Reviews codes across ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, CPT and HCPCS to ensure proper code assignment.
• Audits ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS codes, MSDRG, POA status and discharge dispositions for inpatient records.
• Provides coding guidance and training to staff to maintain compliance with coding rules and regulations.
• Analyzes audit results and prepares feedback to clinicians and coders for process improvements.

Responsibilities

• Audit accurate and complete code assignments for inpatient and outpatient records.
• Collaborate with coding and clinical staff to support coding accuracy and education.
• Maintain statistical databases to identify patterns and variations in coding practices.
• Prepare performance monitors for PTF, PCE, VERA and non-VA medical care coding.

Job description

Allied Health Professional

Applies comprehensive knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy & physiology, disease processes, treatment modalities, diagnostic tests, medications, procedures as well as the principles and practices of health services and the organizational structure to ensure proper code selection.

Reviews assigned codes from the current version of several coding systems to include current versions of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), and/or Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS).

Applies guidelines specific to certain diagnoses, procedures, and other criteria used to classify patients under the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation (VERA) program that categorizes all VA patients into specific classes representing their clinical conditions and resource needs.

Reviews, analyzes and reports performance monitors for PTF, PCE, VERA and Non-VA Medical Care (purchased care) coding.

Audit accurate and complete assignment of ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS codes, MSDRG, POA status, and discharge disposition values for inpatient health records.

Audit accurate and complete assignment of ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS codes, including appropriate E/M assignment and modifier usage for outpatient health records.

Audit function includes evaluation of clinical documentation to support optimal code assignment.

Reviews coding and assist coders in improving coding accuracy; provides coding guidance to various levels of staff to promote consistency in practice and compliance with coding rules and regulations; initiates various reports and analyze data.

Collaboratively works with coding staff and clinical staff to provide support and education on coding issues. Provides training and education to coding and clinical staff. Researches complex coding issues and participates in process improvements related to coding.

Analyze audit results and prepare summary feedback for individual coders and/or clinicians, making recommendations for improvement.

Maintains statistical database(s) to track the results and validate the program for identifying patterns and variations in coding practices with regular reports to the medical staff and management.

Work Schedule: Typically, Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Subject to change based on the needs of the facility.

Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized

Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized

Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.

Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA

Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

Telework: Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 629-00588F

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized