Physician Coder (FT

Citizens Medical Center is a not-for-profit hospital known for compassionate patient care, clinical expertise, and bringing advanced medical services to the South Texas region since 1956. Today, Citizens is a 338-bed acute care hospital with over 1,000 dedicated employees.

Citizens offers a generous benefit package that includes retirement plans upon hire, and an excellent medical plan with optional insurance plans to choose from.

If you are interested in pursuing a career with an award-winning hospital, welcome home.

The Physician Coder I performs evaluation/management coding for clinic, inpatient, and outpatient encounters as well as coding for in-office ancillary services and minor procedures. Assigns and sequences all codes for services rendered. Collaborates with coders, billers, clinical staff, managers, and healthcare professionals to ensure accurate coding assignment and to resolve any coding-related claim denials.

• Assigns codes to diagnoses, hospital visits, office visits, and in-office ancillary services and minor procedures using correct CPT®, HCPCS Level II, and ICD-10-CM codes. (EF)
• Ensures that assigned codes are accurate and sequenced correctly in accordance with coding guidelines, as well as insurance and government regulations. (EF)
• Examines patient medical record to ensure coding accurately reflects the documented medical care provided. (EF)
• Demonstrates continued improvement on coding reviews and audits, until 90% accuracy is met and maintained. (EF)
• Submits and documents provider queries in a compliant and timely manner. (EF)
• Posts coded records to the practice management system in accordance with insurance payer requirements and policies. (EF)
• Reviews all coded and posted invoices daily, weekly, and/or monthly to identify and correct any pre-billing errors.
• Reviews and corrects coding rejections and denials that do not require appeal.
• Reviews and works assigned work queues in a timely manner to meet insurance payor timely filing and appeal deadlines.
• Consults team members, supervisor, director, and other appropriate resources to resolve coding and documentation questions and issues. (EF)
• Communicates timely and professionally with outside providers or hospital affiliations to obtain information needed to code services per coding and carrier guidelines. (EF)
• Communicates timely and professionally with physicians and managers of any problems arising from incorrect, incomplete coding or documentation. (EF)
• Maintains a collaborative relationship with clinic staff, managers, physicians, advanced practice providers, and the billing department.
• Plans and participates in departmental meetings with clinic staff, managers, administrators, advanced practices providers, and physicians. (EF)

• Adheres to organization-wide and other applicable policies and procedures.
• Day-to-day performance complies with the hospital’s Service Excellence Behavioral Expectations.
• Performs within the prescribed limits of the hospital’s Ethics, Compliance and Confidentiality Program guidelines.
• Performs within professional Scope of Practice at all times.

• Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time

Required: Physician Coder I:
High School diploma or equivalent;
Completion of an approved medical coding program; entry level knowledge of medical coding.

Preferred: Associates degree in a healthcare related field;
Knowledge of pathophysiology and basic pharmacology;
Entry level knowledge of health insurance (HMO, PPO, Medicare, Medicaid, etc.)

Preferred: One year of medical coding or billing experience in a physician office/practice setting.

Required: Able to work in a collaborative, team environment; able to organize and complete work in a timely manner; good mathematical, typing and 10-key speed and accuracy skills; good verbal and written communication skills; proficiency in Microsoft Office
365 apps; proficiency using telephone, fax, and email; able to effectively utilize an online coder.

Preferred: Able to abstract the medical…