Outpatient Coder, Ambulatory

Hackensack Meridian Health; North Bergen (NJ); On-site; USD 48,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Retirement benefits

Paid leave

Job summary

Hackensack Meridian Health is seeking an Outpatient Coder I to accurately abstract data per ICD-10-CM, CPT and HCPCS guidelines across the network. You will enter required patient information into the EMR and query physicians when documentation is missing or unclear.

The role requires at least 1 year of coding for professional services, solid anatomy knowledge, and strong communication skills to coordinate with clinicians and ensure coding accuracy and timely reimbursements.

Qualifications

• Must have strong coding knowledge of ICD-10-CM, CPT and HCPCS.
• Experience with professional services coding and EMR systems.
• Strong understanding of physiology, medical terms and anatomy.
• Proficient in MS Office and Google Suite; good typing speed and accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Assign codes for clinical services for reimbursement and data collection.
• Abstract and code patient encounters with accuracy and completeness.
• Communicate with physicians for documentation improvements when needed.
• Maintain productivity and quality as per hospital guidelines.
• Identify and report documentation deficiencies and coding errors.
• Stay updated with coding rules (NCCI, LCDs) and payer guidelines.

Skills

ICD-10 coding

CPT coding

HCPCS coding

EMR proficiency

Anatomy knowledge

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

MS Office

Google Suite

EMR systems

Job description

Overview

Our team members are the heart of what makes us better.

Overview

At Hackensack Meridian Health we help our patients live better, healthier lives — and we help one another to succeed. With a culture rooted in connection and collaboration, our employees are team members. Here, competitive benefits are just the beginning. It’s also about how we support one another and how we show up for our community. Together, we keep getting better - advancing our mission to transform healthcare and serve as a leader of positive change.

The Outpatient Coder I is responsible for accurately abstracting data following the Official International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10-Clinical Modification (CM), Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Guidelines for Coding and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) directives across the Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) network. Performs data entry of required abstracted patient information into the electronic medical record system. Queries physicians when appropriate.

Responsibilities

Orthopedics experience and prior EMR experience are preferred.

A day in the life of a Outpatient Coder I at Hackensack Meridian Health includes:

• Assigns codes to clinical services performed for use in reimbursement and data collection
• Accountable for coding and abstracting of patient encounters, including diagnostic, surgical, and procedural information, significant reportable elements, and complications.
• Assess[s] clinical documentation and communicates with physicians and advanced practice nurses for additional information when documentation for proper coding is missing or incomplete
• Analyzes medical records and identifies documentation deficiencies.
• Identifies reportable elements, complications, and other quality measures.
• Daily monitoring of WQ's for billing corrections.
• Assign CPT, HCPCS and ICD-10-CM codes.
• Knowledge of and ability to address National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) and National Coverage Determinations (NCD) / Local coverage determinations (LCD) edits.
• Maintains required productivity and quality requirements,
• Complies with HMH Organizational policies, procedures, and standards of behavior; maintains patient record Reports unusual circumstances, possible risk factors, errors, and discrepancies to management.
• Other duties and/or projects as assigned.

Qualifications

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• High School diploma, general equivalency diploma (GED), and/or GED equivalent programs.
• Minimum of 1 year of coding for professional services
• Strong understanding of physiology, medical terms and anatomy.
• Proficiency in computer skills including typing speed and accuracy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient computer skills including but not limited to Microsoft Office and Google Suite platforms.
• Must be able to achieve and maintain appropriate coding quality and productivity as established by HMH Compliance

Education, Knowledge, Skills And Abilities Preferred

• Prior working experience with outpatient hospital ICD10 diagnosis, CPT procedural and E&M coding experience is desired

Licenses And Certifications Required

• Registered Health Information Technician or Registered Health Information Administrator Certification or Certified Coding Specialist or Certified Professional Coder.

Licenses And Certifications Preferred

• An approved American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) or American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) coding credential.

Compensation

Minimum rate of $35.17 Hourly

HMH is committed to pay equity and transparency for our team members. The posted rate of pay in this job posting is a reasonable good faith estimate of the minimum base pay for this role at the time of posting in accordance with the New Jersey Pay Transparency Act and does not reflect the full value of our market-competitive total rewards package.

Job Duties

The starting rate of pay is provided for informational purposes only and is not a guarantee of a specific offer. Posted hourly rates may be stated as an annual salary in the offer and posted annual salaries may be stated as an hourly rate in the offer, depending on the level and nature of the job duties and credentials of the candidate. The base compensation determined at the time of the offer may be different than the posted rate of pay based on a number of non-discriminatory factors, including but not limited to:

• Labor Market Data: Compensation is benchmarked against market data to ensure competitiveness.
• Experience: Years of relevant work experience.
• Education and Certifications: Level of education attained, including specialized certifications, credentials, completed apprenticeship programs or advanced training.
• Skills: Demonstrated proficiency in relevant skills and competencies.
• Geographic Location: Cost of living and market rates for the specific location.
• Internal Equity: Compensation is determined in a manner consistent with compensation ranges for similar roles within the organization.
• Budget and Grant Funding: Departmental budgets and any grant funding associated with the job position may impact the pay that can be offered.

Some jobs may also be eligible for performance-based incentives, bonuses, or commissions not reflected in the starting rate. Certain positions may also be eligible for shift differentials for work performed on evening, night, or weekend shifts.

In addition to our compensation for full-time and part-time (20+ hours/week) job positions, HMH offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and retirement benefits.

HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH (HMH) IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding, genetic information, refusal to submit to a genetic test or make available to an employer the results of a genetic test, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, national origin, nationality, ancestry, disability, marital status, liability for military service, or status as a protected veteran.

Our Network

Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) is a Mandatory Influenza Vaccination Facility