Release of Information Specialist

Kootenai Hospital; Coeur d'Alene (ID); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical coverage

Dental and vision insurance

Tuition assistance

Retirement plans with employer match

Night, weekend, and PRN shift diff.

Wellness program with discounts and GO

PerkSpot discounts

Employee referral bonus

Job summary

Kootenai Health is seeking a Medical Records Specialist in Health Information Management to organize and process medical records requests with a focus on privacy, accuracy, and timely service. You will handle PHI requests, ensure compliance with HIPAA/HITECH, and support OCR requirements in a patient-centered environment.

The role requires an Associate’s degree or 2 years of medical records experience, with emphasis on HIPAA knowledge and accuracy in a healthcare setting.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or 2 years medical office or medical record experience required.
• Knowledge of HIPAA required.
• Experience with medical records within a healthcare setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Acts as the central contact for correspondence related to Recovery Audit Contracts (RAC), Medicaid Integrity Program (MIP), and Commercial Audit activities; denial management; and high risk audits.
• Follows KH policy and procedures, Federal and State laws and regulations including HIPAA, HITECH and Information Blocking to process requests for PHI.
• Ensures patient rights in compliance with the Office for Civil Rights.
• Ensures record requests are sent in the form requested within defined timelines.
• Analyzes medical records for completeness prior to release or data archive.
• Works in various EMR reviewing release information and documents appropriately for accounting of disclosure.
• Reviews legal components of the medical record, ensuring ROI activities are performed accurately.
• Follows record retention guidelines and policies for records destruction and retention age.
• Manages patient identity per red flag rules and addresses overlays to ensure patient safety.
• Processes birth certificates and filing of paternity affidavits per state law and hospital guidelines.
• Protects release of PHI while maintaining confidentiality; maintains productivity and customer service standards.
• Regular attendance and ability to work under supervision; performs other duties as assigned.

Job description

• Department Health Information Management - Medical Records

Position Summary

Responsible for organizing and processing all medical records requests through prompt and courteous service in a customer-focused environment. Ensures accuracy and safeguarding patients' right to privacy by adhering to Kootenai Health (KH) policy, State and Federal law, HIPAA, and HITECH guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Acts as the central contact for correspondence related to Recovery Audit Contracts (RAC), Medicaid Integrity Program (MIP), and Commercial Audit activities; denial management; and high risk audits
• Follows KH policy and procedures, Federal and State laws and regulations to include HIPAA, HITECH and Information Blocking, to process requests for protected health information (PHI)
• Ensures patient rights in compliance with the Office of Civil Rights
• Ensures record requests are sent in the form requested within defined timelines
• Analyzes medical record for completeness prior to release or data archive
• Works the following work queues, as assigned:
  • Kootenai MyChart Releases
  • KH ROI WQ Failed Print Jobs
  • KH ROI Releases (Requester Needed)
  • KH ROI Billing Outstanding Balances
  • KH Releases Due
  • KH Billing-Partial Payments
  • KH Billing-OverpaymentsKH Active ROI Releases (Over 30 Days)
  • KH Active ROI Releases (Last 30 Days)
  • Chart Gateway Requests Requiring Review
  • KH HIM – Newborn Name Review
• Works in various Electronic Medical Records (EMR) reviewing release information and documents appropriately for accounting of disclosure
• Reviews legal components of the medical record, ensuring ROI activities are performed accurately
• Follows record retention guidelines, including Kootenai Health’s policy for records destruction and age of retention, also outlined in the Washington RCW 70.41.190
• Manages the patient identity in accordance with the red flag rules and regulations and addresses medical record overlays with a sense of urgency to ensure patient safety
• Processes birth certificates and filing of paternity affidavits in accordance with state law and hospital guidelines
• Protects the release of patient health information while maintaining confidentiality on all patient health information
• Maintains productivity, quality and proper phone etiquette and ensures customer service standards are met
• Works under immediate supervision and relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within the field
• Regular and predictable attendance is an essential job function
• Competent to meet age specific needs of the unit assigned

Requirements and Minimum Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or 2 years previous medical office or medical record experience required
• Knowledge of HIPAA required
• Experience with medical records within a healthcare setting preferred

Working Conditions

• Must be able to lift and move up to 10lbs
• Must be able to maintain a sitting position
• Typical equipment used in an office job
• Repetitive movements

About Kootenai Health

Kootenai Health is a highly esteemed healthcare organization serving patients throughout northern Idaho and the Inland Northwest. We have been recognized with many accolades and distinctions, including being a Gallup Great Workplace, No. 1 Best Place to Work in Large Healthcare Organizations, and Magnet Status for Nursing Excellence. We pride ourselves on our outstanding reputation as an employer and a healthcare provider.

As your next employer, we are excited to offer you:

• Comprehensive medical coverage, including fully employer‑paid options for eligible full‑time employees, plus affordable plans for part‑time staff.Benefits begin on the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment.
• Dental, vision, life, and pet insurance, with telemedicine and wellbeing resources available to all employees
• Tuition assistance after 90 days to support your professional growth
• Retirement plans with pre‑tax and Roth options and employer matching from 3%–6%
• Competitive pay, plus night, weekend, and PRN shift differentials
• Award‑winning wellness program with coaching, financial wellness resources, and free or discounted access to fitness centers and premium wellbeing apps
• PerkSpot discountsproviding access to thousands of exclusive deals in over 25 categories
• And an employee referral bonus program

Kootenai Health provides exceptional support for extraordinary careers. If you want to work on a high-quality, person-centered healthcare team, we can't wait to meet you!

Kootenai Health complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sex. Kootenai Health does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sex.

A variety of medical, dental, and vision insurance plans are available to both full and part-time employees, with some available at no cost to the employee. In addition, benefit-eligible employees also gain access to the following:

• Tuition assistance and career development programs
• Robust Retirement Plan
• Night, weekend and PRN shift differentials
• Employee referral bonus program

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