Inpatient Coder

Job Summary

Responsible for assigning diagnostic and procedural codes to inpatient charts using ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS or any other designated coding classification system in accordance with coding rules and regulations. Abides by the Standards of Ethical Coding as set forth by AHIMA. Abstracts required clinical information from the medical record.

• Reviews medical records for the determination of accurate code assignment of all documented diagnoses and procedures in accordance with Official Coding Guidelines and adheres to Standards of Ethical Coding (AHIMA).
• Reviews medical records to determine accurate required abstracting elements (facility/client specific elements) including appropriate discharge disposition.
• Demonstrates consistency in achieving or exceeding 95.5% coding accuracy in the selection of principal and secondary diagnoses (including DRG, MCC & CC, SOI/ROM) and procedures. Demonstrates accuracy and consistency in abstracting elements defined by facility.
• Meets and/or exceeds Conifer’s inpatient coding productivity guidelines.
• Creates appropriate and compliant physician retrospective coding queries.
• Stays current with AHA Official Coding and Reporting Guidelines, CMS and other agency directives for ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS coding; completes mandatory coding education as assigned; reviews AHA Coding Clinic quarterly; attends required coding operations conference calls.
• Reviews held accounts daily for resolution in support of coding DNFB performance; communicates barriers to leaders (physician queries, missing documentation, second level review, DRG reconciliation, etc.) for appropriate follow‑up and resolution.

• Strong knowledge of MS-DRG and APR DRG classification and reimbursement structures.
• Proficient at writing AHIMA‑compliant physician queries.
• Adept at comparing documentation, code assignment and charge in the financial system for accuracy and completeness and elevating concerns to the appropriate manager.
• Proficient in researching and responding to Business Office questions related to coding and/or payer‑specific coding guidelines.
• Ability to use office equipment and automated systems/applications/software at an acceptable level of proficiency.
• Works collaboratively with CDI, Quality and other facility leadership.
• Functional knowledge of facility EMR, encoder, CDI tool and other support software.

• One to three years’ experience performing inpatient coding in an acute care setting required.
• High‑school graduate or equivalent required.
• Associate or Bachelor’s Degree in Health Information, Nursing, or other related field preferred; years of coding experience can be considered in lieu of educational requirements.

• Required:
  
  AHIMA RHIT or RHIA or AAPC CCS approved credential.

• Ability to lift 15-20 lbs.
• Ability to sit and work at a computer for a prolonged period of time; ability to walk through hospital‑based departments across broad campus settings, including Emergency Department environments if appropriate.

• Office/Hospital Work Environment.
• Works in a private office space in the coder’s home per Conifer Telecommuter Policy as defined in the Telecommuting Program Guide.

• Must be able to travel nationally as needed, not to exceed 10 %.

As a part of the Tenet and Catholic Health Initiatives family, Conifer Health brings 30 years of healthcare industry expertise to clients in more than 135 local regions nationwide. We help our clients strengthen their financial and clinical performance, serve their communities and succeed at the business of healthcare. Conifer Health helps organizations transition from volume to value-based care, enhance the consumer and patient healthcare experience and improve quality, cost and access to healthcare.

• Pay: $27.30–$40.95 per hour. Compensation depends on location, qualifications and experience.
• Position may be eligible for a signing bonus for qualified new hires, subject to employment status.
• Conifer observed holidays receive time and a half.

• Medical, dental, vision, disability,…