Inpatient Medical Coder

Job Description

Position Purpose:

The Inpatient Coder II is the coding and reimbursement expert for ICD-10-CM diagnosis coding and ICD-10-PCS procedure coding for complex inpatient acute care discharges. This person possesses a strong foundation in coding conventions, instructions, Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting and Coding Clinics. The Inpatient Coder II has a deep understanding of disease process, anatomy/physiology, pharmacology, and medical terminology.
 

Organization:

This position reports to Coding Manager

Essential Job Functions include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Utilizes technical coding expertise to assign appropriate ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS codes to complex inpatient visit types. Complexity is measured by a Case Mix Index (CMI) and Coder II's typically see average CMI's of 2.2609. This index score demonstrates higher patient complexity and acuity.
• Utilizes expertise in clinical disease process and documentation, to assign Present on Admission (POA) values to all secondary diagnoses for quality metrics and reporting.
• Thoroughly reviews the provider notes within the health record and the Findings from the Clinical Documentation Nurse in the Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) Department who concurrently reviewed the record and provide their clinical insight on the diagnoses.
• Utilizes resources within 3M 360 CAC (Computerized Assisted Coding) software to efficiently review documentation and select or assign ICD-10-CM/PCS codes using autosuggestion or annotation features.
• Reviews Discharge Planning and nursing documentation to validate and correct, when necessary, the Discharge Disposition which impacts reimbursement under Medicare's Post-Acute Transfer Policy.
• Utilizes knowledge of MS-DRG's, APR-DRG's, AHRQ Elixhauser risk adjustment to sequence the appropriate ICD-10-CM codes within the top 24 fields to ensure correct reimbursement.
• Collaborate with CDI on approximately 45% of discharges regarding the final MS or APR DRG and comorbidity diagnoses.
• Educates CDI on regulatory guidelines, Coding Clinics and conventions to report appropriate ICD-10-CM diagnoses.
• Interprets health record documentation using knowledge of anatomy, physiology, clinical disease process, pharmacology, medical terminology to determine the Principal Diagnosis, secondary diagnoses and procedures.
• Follows the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, ICD-10-PCS Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, Coding Clinic for ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS, coding conventions and instructional notes to assign the appropriate diagnoses and procedures.
• Utilizes coding expertise and knowledge to write appeal letters in response to payor DRG downgrade notices.
• Resolves Nosology Messages/Alerts and Coding Validation Warning/Errors.
• Meets established coding productivity and quality standards.

Knowledge & Experience:

• A minimum of three years' experience is required.

• 3 years of inpatient coding experience in an acute healthcare setting
• RHIA, RHIT or CCS credential

• Position requires excellent computer/communication skills for provider and staff interactions.

• Candidate must have ability to handle multiple projects and appropriately prioritize tasks to meet deadlines.
• Candidate must have excellent organizational skills, able to understand and follow individual client Standard Operating Procedures

General Areas of Accountability:

Must conduct business and personal affairs in a manner that is always a credit to the company. Must maintain a good credit rating while employed with the company.

Machines and Equipment:

The incumbent must be able to effectively operate the current computer system, telephone system, and other office machines such as copier and fax machines.

Physical Activity:

The incumbent must be able to finger, grasp, feel, see, sit, hear, and speak. This position is sedentary in nature with minimal lifting requirements.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The incumbent works in an office environment that is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions such as heat, cold, or extreme noise. Routine periods of being on the phone utilizing a headset, sitting and data keying are required.

Remote Eligibility: This position is full-time remote eligible. Eligibility is determined by Management or Human Resources.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.