Outpatient Coder - Orthopedics - Physician Practice

AAPC; West New York (NJ); On-site; USD 40,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision benefits

Paid leave

Tuition reimbursement

Retirement plan

Job summary

Hackensack Meridian Health is seeking an Outpatient Coder I to accurately abstract data using ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS guidelines across the HMH network. You will enter data into the EMR, query physicians as needed, and ensure coding quality and compliance.

The role requires 1 year of professional coding experience, strong medical terminology knowledge, and proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year of coding for professional services.
• Strong understanding of physiology, medical terms and anatomy.
• Proficiency in typing and general computer skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
• Must meet coding quality and productivity standards per HMH Compliance.

Responsibilities

• Assign codes to clinical services for reimbursement and data collection.
• Abstract and code patient encounters (diagnostic, surgical, and procedural) with accuracy.
• Communicate with physicians/advance practice nurses for missing documentation.
• Analyze records to identify documentation deficiencies and corrections.
• Maintain productivity and quality standards as required by HMH.

Skills

1 year professional coding experience

Medical terminology & anatomy

Typing speed & accuracy

Written & verbal communication

Microsoft Office & Google Suite

Outpatient coding experience

Education

High School diploma or GED

RHIT/RHIA/CCS/CPC certification or equivalent

Job description

Outpatient Coder I

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.

A day in the life of an 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.
• Assesses 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 standard of behavior; maintains patient record Reports unusual circumstances, possible risk factors, errors, and discrepancies to management.
• Other duties and/or projects as assigned.

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. 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 does not reflect the full value of our market-competitive total rewards package. 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.