Houston Methodist

Senior Coding Specialist - (Telecommute - Must Reside in TX)

Facility
Telecommute
Job Locations
US-TX-Houston
Category
HIM/Medical Records
Position Type
Full-Time
Department
EPIC-Coding&Revenue Integrity
Shift
1st - Day

Overview

At Houston Methodist, the Sr Coding Specialist position is responsible for applying correct coding conventions to patient charge encounters in a clinical environment. This position abstracts diagnosis and procedural services from the physician record and reviews and corrects charge review and claim edit related coding errors in the electronic health record. In addition, the Sr Coding Specialist position is responsible for reviewing, correcting and appealing coding related claim denials and mentoring and cross training Coding Specialists.

Houston Methodist Standard

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

  • Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
    • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
    • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
    • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
    • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
    • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.
  • Practices the Caring and Serving Model
  • Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards
  • Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)
  • Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.
  • Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job
  • Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles
  • Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

Responsibilities

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Communicates regularly with physicians and Physician Organization Central Business Office (PO CBO) staff on clarification to accurately code diagnosis and procedures.
  • Collaborates with management on coding and diagnosis issues to reduce claims denials by providing verbal and written communication.
  • Assists with knowledge sharing, training Coding Specialists, and department cross training; provides support to other team members as advised by the manager and/or supervisor.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Responds to or clarifies internal requests from all business partners for medical coding information in a timely manner.
  • Participates in coding round tables and in-services for continuing education.
  • Cross trains and provides back up coverage of team members to ensure continuous coding and charge capture activities for PO departments.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Codes and abstracts medical records for reimbursement purposes from patient charts, physician documentation, and medical diagnostic and/or interventional reports using current coding conventions and guidelines and tools such as 3M encoder.
  • Reviews individual medical records to verify and substantiate diagnosis and procedures for charge review, claim edit(s) and/or denied claims and submits clinical appeal or corrected claim.
  • Assists with the creation and review of department specific coding workflows and expectations.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Matches charge documents to charge review & claim edit sessions, billing sheets, operative reports, and medical records to ensure correct codes are applied and billable services are captured.
  • Works charge review and claim edit sessions within two business days of posting to the assigned work queues.
  • Investigates and appeals unpaid, denied and partially paid claims by third party payors.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Pursues ongoing professional growth and development and participation in team meetings.
  • Provides on-going coding and documentation education to physicians and clinical staff.
  • Attends, in person, quarterly coding and revenue integrity team meetings.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

Qualifications

EDUCATION
  • High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

WORK EXPERIENCE
  • Five years of professional coding experience

License/Certification

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED
  • CPC - Certified Professional Coder (AAPC) OR
  • CCS - Certified Coding Specialist (AHIMA) OR
  • An approved Specialty Society Coding Certification

KSA/ Supplemental Data

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
  • Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
  • Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
  • Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
  • Knowledge of ICD-9, ICD-10, and CPT codes
  • Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications such as Word and Excel
  • Must be a self-motivated individual with the ability to think critically and work independently
  • Must have the ability to multi-task in a fast paced rapidly changing healthcare environment
  • Demonstrates a high level of professionalism, customer service, and interpersonal skills and operates under strict confidentiality guidelines
  • Strong training, leadership, and mentoring skills

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

  • Uniform No
  • Scrubs No
  • Business professional Yes
  • Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

  • On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

  • May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
  • May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Company Profile

Houston Methodist Specialty Physician Group - As one of the nation’s leading hospitals and academic medical centers Houston Methodist has brought together some of the nation’s leading experts in multiple specialties to serve our patients.  As part of Houston Methodist Specialty Physician Group (HMSPG), these specialists not only provide excellent clinical care, but are on the forefront of research, developing leading-edge technologies and treatments, and teaching the medical pioneers of tomorrow.  This combination of clinical service, research and academics ensures patients have access to the latest in treatments and technologies while providing the best in comprehensive patient care.  Established as a non-profit corporation and certified by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, HMSPG enables physicians to maintain autonomy with respect to their clinical practice while growing their practice within an academic environment.

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