Lead Coding Specialist

A Lead HIM Coder assists in managing the coding team by educating staff and monitoring all coding functions and work queues. They audit records to improve the accuracy and quality of coding and charging within the team. Serves as a liaison with CDI and physicians to enhance documentation, optimize reimbursement, and support efficient AR performance.

• Manages multiple EPIC work queues (WQs) to ensure timely billing and resolution of all encounters within 2–3 days.
• Monitors and audits coder performance, ensuring >= 95% coding and DRG accuracy through regular reviews, meetings, and feedback sessions.
• Educates and mentors coding staff, providing onboarding for new coders, daily coaching, and monthly team meetings to maintain accuracy and compliance.
• Acts as a liaison between the Coding Division, CDI Program, physicians, and Revenue Integrity to improve documentation, query processes, and charge accuracy.
• Conducts daily coding audits and reviews all PSI, Vizient, and 3M data to validate coding accuracy, case quality, and performance metrics.
• Oversees the DRG validation and denial management program, resolving coding disputes and ensuring documentation supports accurate reimbursement.
• Applies national coding standards and metrics, maintaining expertise in SOI/ROM, AHRQ PSI criteria, NTAP cases, and Medicare reimbursement systems.
• Stays current on industry updates, including Medicare PPS changes, Coding Clinic guidance, and emerging trends such as SDOH and C OVID-related coding.
• Drives process improvement initiatives, collaborating with CDI, Quality, and ER leaders to enhance documentation, reduce denials, and improve national quality ratings.
• Performs coding duties as needed, supporting workload balance, reducing discharged-not-billed (DNB) cases, and meeting monthly performance goals.

Required:

• High School Diploma or equivalent and Medical Coding Education
• Certified Coding Specialist - CCS
• Five (5) years progressive coding experience.

Preferred:

• Associate or bachelor's degree in a healthcare related field.
• More than Seven (7) years of coding experience in an academic medical center.
• Physician-Based (CCS-P) or a Certified Coding Associate (CCA) preferred.

At Atlantic Health, our promise to our communities is;
Anyone who enters one of our facilities will receive the highest quality care delivered at the right time, at the right place, and at the right cost. This commitment is also echoed in the respect, development and opportunities we give to our more than 22,000 team members. Headquarters in Morristown, New Jersey, we are one of the leading non-profit health care systems in the nation.

Our facilities and sites of care include:

• Atlantic Health Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, NJ
• Atlantic Health Overlook Medical Center, Summit, NJ
• Atlantic Health Newton Medical Center, Newton, NJ
• Atlantic Health Chilton Medical Center, Pompton Plains, NJ
• Atlantic Health Hackettstown Medical Center, Hackettstown, NJ
• Atlantic Health Goryeb Children's Hospital, Morristown, NJ
• Atlantic Health Centra State Healthcare System, Freehold, NJ
• Atlantic Medical Group
• Atlantic Visiting Nurse
• Atlantic Mobile Health
• Atlantic Rehabilitation

We have more than 900 community-based healthcare providers affiliated through Atlantic Medical Group.

We have received awards and recognition forthe services we have provided to our patients, team members and communities. Below are just a few of our accolades:

• Chosen for 17years by Fortune as one of the magazine’s“100 Best Companies to Work For."
• Atlantic Health Morristown and Atlantic Health Overlook Named by Newsweek as two of the“World’s Best Hospitals”in 2026.
• Atlantic Health Morristown and Atlantic Health Overlook ranked within the top three hospitals in New Jersey by…