Coding Specialist - Inpatient Telecommute

Health Information Coding Specialist

Under the general supervision of the Health Information Coding Manager, reviews the inpatient medical record to assign appropriate codes in accordance with the ICD-10-CM/PCS Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting. Determines appropriate MS DRGPR DRG assignment for optimal classification and accurate and compliant clinical reporting. Identifies and recommends physician queries when documentation in the chart is incomplete, ambiguous or unclear. Maintains and meets HIS quality and productivity standards.

Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these values guide our everyday actions with patients, customers and one another. In addition to our values, all employees are expected to demonstrate the core Success Factors which tell us how we work together and how we get things done. The core Success Factors include:
Instill Trust and Value Differences Patient and Community Focus and Collaborate

Responsibilities include:

• Enters into a written Telecommuting Agreement with department management.
• Reads and comprehends the inpatient medical record identifying all treated diagnoses and procedures reporting the correct code(s) adhering to rules set forth in "Official Coding Guidelines."
• Performs coding validation on codes computer-assisted and auto-suggested codes from 3M.
• Understands clinical documentation to recognize when a query to the physician is required.
• Works closely with Clinical Documentation Specialist for additional clinical review.
• Prioritizes high paying records to be completed the day received.
• Performs concurrent coding for in-house patients requiring interim billing.
• Continually meets coding productivity, quality and accuracy standards.
• May be required to code rehabilitation records following the established process.
• Follows-up on all bill holds to ensure timely billing and reimbursement.
• Acts as a resource to physicians and other staff on coding principals and DRG assignments and/or outpatient coding issues.
• Refers coding, billing and system questions to the coding manager or coding validator.
• Assists other coders with help answering questions and providing guidance to entry-level coders.
• Keeps abreast of coding guidelines and reimbursement reporting requirements.
• Maintains health information confidentiality by adhering to established organizational and departmental policies and procedures.
• Performs related clerical and other duties as assigned.

Minimum qualifications include:

• Associate degree required; health information technology preferred.
• AHIMA CCS Certified Coding Specialist credential.
• Three to five years inpatient coding experience in a teaching or acute care hospital required.

Working conditions include:

• Reads electronic medical records for the entire workday dual computer monitors.
• Ability to sit for long periods, lift a minimum of 25 pounds, bend, stoop, stretch, use step-stools to file records.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions to maintain accounts receivable days achieving productivity and accuracy.

Independent action includes:

• Performs independently within the department's policies and practices.
• Refers specific complex problems to the supervisor when clarification of the departmental policies and procedures are required.

Supervisory responsibility:
None.