Payment Integrity Nurse Reviewer- Hospital Claims

SmartLight Analytics Inc.; Plano (TX); Remote; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

SmartLight Analytics Inc. is seeking an experienced Senior Claims Analyst to audit hospital claims, DRG coding, and high-cost pattern recognition. You will collaborate with ASO clients, negotiate with TPAs, and drive adjustments and recoveries with strong analytical rigor.

The role emphasizes clinical validation, detailed documentation, and proactive dispute resolution, supported by Excel/SQL analytics in a remote setting for national clients.

Qualifications

• RN background with clinical coding validation for DRG and medical necessity.
• 5+ years in hospital claims analysis, medical bill review or payment integrity.
• Strong DRG methodology knowledge, UB-04, ICD-10-CM/PCS and CPT/HCPCS coding.
• Experience negotiating with TPAs, carriers, or claims administrators.
• Proficient in Excel; SQL/Access or analytics tools a plus.

Responsibilities

• Audit hospital/claims data to validate billing accuracy and DRG assignments.
• Identify DRG upcoding, unbundling, and overpayments; recommend adjustments.
• Review high-cost claims to spot misapplications and repricing opportunities.
• Advocate for ASO clients in disputes with TPAs and carriers.
• Prepare documentation to support adjustments and appeals.
• Lead or support negotiations to secure favorable resolutions.
• Track disputes through resolution and maintain client relationships.
• Analyze trends in large claims data and summarize savings.

Skills

RN background

DRG coding

Claims data analysis

Negotiation

Excel

SQL

Education

RN degree / nursing

Tools

Access

Claims analytics

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Senior Claims Analyst with deep expertise in hospital claims adjudication, stop loss reporting, high-cost/catastrophic claims, and DRG (Diagnosis-Related Group) reimbursement methodology. This individual will analyze itemized hospital bills and claims data to identify billing errors, coding discrepancies, DRG misassignments, and other overpayment opportunities, then work directly with claims administrators on behalf of our ASO clients to secure claim adjustments, recoveries, and repricing.

This is a highly analytical, client-facing role requiring both technical claims expertise and strong negotiation/communication skills.
This is a remote role.

Key Responsibilities

Claims Analysis & Review

• Perform detailed audits of hospital and facility claims, including itemized bills, UB-04 claim forms, medical records, and remittance advices, to validate billing accuracy.

• Analyze DRG assignments and coding to identify DRG upcoding, unbundling, duplicate billing, and other irregularities that affect reimbursement.

• Review high-cost and catastrophic claims (typically $100K+) to identify overpayments, contract misapplication, and opportunities for negotiated adjustments.

• Evaluate claims against plan documents, provider contracts, reference-based pricing methodologies, and CMS guidelines to determine appropriate reimbursement.

Stop Loss & High-Cost Claims Expertise

• Understand and apply stop loss (specific and aggregate) provisions, laser terms, and reporting requirements as they relate to claim adjustments and client financial exposure.

• Coordinate with stop loss carriers and reinsurers as needed to ensure adjustments and recoveries are properly reflected in stop loss reimbursement calculations.

• Identify claims nearing or exceeding specific deductible thresholds and prioritize review accordingly.

Client Advocacy & Claims Administrator Negotiation

• Serve as the subject matter expert and advocate on behalf of ASO clients in disputes with claims administrators (TPAs) and carriers regarding claim payment accuracy.

• Prepare clear, well-documented findings packages (clinical, contractual, and coding rationale) to support requested claim adjustments and appeals.

• Lead or support negotiations with claims administrators to reach adjusted payment resolutions.

• Track disputes through resolution, escalating unresolved cases appropriately and maintaining strong working relationships with TPA claims and provider relations teams.

Data & Reporting

• Analyze large claims data sets to identify trends, outlier claims, and systemic overpayment patterns across client populations.

• Build and maintain claim tracking logs, savings reports, and client-facing summaries of identified and recovered savings.

• Partner with internal data/analytics teams to refine claim-flagging logic and improve identification of high-value review opportunities.

Required Qualifications

• Hospital/Surgical/ICU Nursing background (RN) and clinical coding background for clinical validation of DRG and medical necessity issues.

• 5+ years of experience in hospital claims analysis, medical bill review, claims auditing, or payment integrity, with direct exposure to self-funded/ASO plans.

• Strong working knowledge of DRG methodology (MS-DRG/APR-DRG), UB-04 billing, ICD-10-CM/PCS, CPT/HCPCS coding, and hospital chargemaster structures.

• Demonstrated understanding of stop loss insurance, including specific/aggregate deductibles, laser provisions, and how claim adjustments impact stop loss reimbursement.

• Experience analyzing high-cost/catastrophic claims and identifying overpayment or billing error patterns.

• Prior experience interacting with or negotiating against TPAs, insurance carriers, or claims administrators on disputed claims.

• Proficiency with claims data analysis tools (Excel required; SQL, Access, or claims analytics platforms a plus)

• Knowledge of policy terms, coverage guidelines, statutory/regulatory compliance requirements and litigation/dispute workflows.

• Ability to interpret and translate in common terms legal contracts, summary plan descriptions (SPDs), and statutory guidelines

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build persuasive, well-supported adjustment requests and appeals.

• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage a high volume of complex claims simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), Certified Medical Bill Review Specialist, or similar credential.

• Prior experience at a TPA, insurance carrier, hospital billing/coding department, or payment integrity/cost containment vendor.

• Familiarity with reference-based pricing (RBP), Medicare fee schedules, and out-of-network claims repricing.

What Success Looks Like

• Consistent identification of material overpayments and billing errors on high-cost hospital claims.

• Strong track record of securing favorable claim adjustments through negotiation with claims administrators.

• Clear, professional communication that strengthens client trust and TPA relationships.

• Measurable contribution to client savings and stop loss cost containment.