Health Information Management Inpatient Coding Auditor, Senior, - Remote

Inspire health. Serve with compassion. Be the difference.

Job Summary

Responsible for leading coding teams, coder training, work que management, performing prebill and second-level coding reviews utilizing auditing software and documents findings to improve CC/MCC capture, Risk Variable capture, HAC/PSI, HCC and Quality Indicator validation. Uses knowledge of coding and compliance guidelines to identify potential documentation, coding and reimbursement issues and report these to coding leadership. Employ critical thinking skills to alert coding leadership to any trends identified in their reviews and to make suggestions for continual process improvement. Reviews and responds to inpatient denials as needed. Performs Inpatient coding by assigning ICD-CM and ICD-PCS codes as well as DRG assignment.

Essential Functions

• All team members are expected to be knowledgeable and compliant with Prisma Health's purpose:  Inspire health.  Serve with compassion.  Be the difference.
• Conducts review and audit of discharged inpatient records (prebill and retrospective reviews) to validate the coding/DRG assignment according to official coding guidelines as supported by the clinical documentation in the record.
• Monitors work queues daily to identify, prioritize and assign accounts that need to be coded based on department-specific guidelines and within designated timelines in coordination with leadership.
• Mentors and trains coders on application of correct ICD-CD and ICD PCS guidelines.
• Coordinates and identifies provider documentation queries for the Clinical Documentation Integrity team to send to clinical providers.  Identifies coding and documentation opportunities following established guidelines when existing documentation is unclear or ambiguous following American Health Information (AHIMA) guidelines and established policy. Maintains working knowledge of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations and applicable carrier local medical review policies.
• Consults, provides professional expertise to and collaborates with clinical documentation specialists on coding and documentation practices and standards. Collaborates with Coding and CDI to develop and maintain coding curriculum and training materials.
• Assists with and develops educational programs for coding staff, clinical documentation staff and medical staff to including yearly coding/DRG updates.
• Applies ICD and ICD-PCS codes including major traumas, and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) records based on review of clinical documentation.  Verifies assignment of DRGs, MCC/CCs, Hospital Acquired Conditions (HACs) and Patient Safety Indicators (PSIs) that most appropriately reflect documentation of the occurrence of events, severity of illness, and resources utilized during the inpatient encounter and in compliance with department policies and procedures. Selects the optimal principal diagnoses with appropriate POA indicator assignment and sequencing of risk adjustment diagnoses following established guidelines. Codes inpatient records periodically based on review of clinical documentation.
• Identifies and assists management with the resolution of coding issues, process improvement and system testing for HIM applications.
• Interacts with other departments to resolve coding issues and assists with coding and clinical validation denials.
• Participates in on site, remote and/or external training workshops and training.
• Attends and participates in CDI-Coding Task Force and other collaborative training and education with CDI, PFS, Specialty areas and Quality
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory/Management Responsibilities

• This is a non-management job that will report to a supervisor, manager, director or executive.

Minimum Requirements

• Education - Associate degree or Coding Certificate through approved American Health Information Management (AHIMA) or other coding certification program.
• Experience - Four (4) years of experience in in-patient coding and abstracting with healthcare billing process in acute care setting.

In Lieu Of

• NA

Required Certifications, Registrations, Licenses

• Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC) or other approved coding credential. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of electronic medical records and 3M or Encoder System.
• Knowledge of medical terminology and basic anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology with the ability to apply this knowledge to the coding process.
• Knowledge of MS DRG prospective payment system and severity systems.
• Knowledge of clinical documentation Improvement principles, quality indicators, formal and informal coding audit process.
• Ability to work effectively, independently and manage multiple demands consistently.
• Proficient computer skills (spreadsheets and database).
• Strong knowledge of medical terminology and basic anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology with the ability to apply this knowledge to the coding process. Ability to apply broad guidelines to specific coding situations, independently utilizing discretion and a significant level of analytic ability preferred

Work Shift

Day (United States of America)

Location

Corporate - Columbia - Taylor at Marion

Facility

Corporate

Department

HIM-Coding

Share your talent with us! Our vision is simple: to transform healthcare for the benefits of the communities we serve. The transformation of healthcare requires talented individuals in every role here at Prisma Health.