Coding Assistant Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

IntroductionAre you are looking for a career with one of Tucson’s largest, most highly regarded healthcare organizations that offers generous benefits, competitive salaries, free health classes and makes a difference in the lives of more than one in ten Tucsonans?

Overview
The Certified Professional Coder coordinates and performs the implementation of concurrent coding and querying processes, as well as performing administrative and fiscal duties, tasks, and assignments in support of the Business Office Department and its varied operations. A Certified Professional Coder is responsible for the translation of healthcare providers' diagnostic and procedural phrases into coded form, as well as the review and interpretation of health record documentation to ensure accurate coding services are rendered and submitted. A Certified Professional Coder ensures that all technical aspects of the assignment of diagnostic and procedural coding are carried out in accordance with established standards and comply with CMS, NCQA, third-party payers, and other regulatory agencies. The incumbent will support and assist in the training and education of Coding Assistants in the use of organizational software applications, which support and facilitate concurrent coding. Performing the functions and requirements for this position follows standardized procedures and policies requiring limited judgment in their execution and will always remain within the defined scope for the position.
An employee in this position works with general supervision and review, and any work problems involving departures from standard policies, interpretations, or procedures are presented to the supervisor for resolution.
The primary goal of the El Rio Health Certified Professional Coder is to support El Rio's Mission of providing comprehensive, quality health care that is affordable and accessible to all who may have healthcare needs, by successfully performing the primary essential functions.

Responsibilities

• Performs administrative, technical, and fiscal duties, tasks, and assignments supporting Business Office operations within established periods; meeting established rates of performance for the quality and quantity of work for the position; demonstrating a level of quality, efficiency, and accuracy in the employee's job performance that ensures the highest standards of excellence.
• Maintains at all times patient confidentiality by controlling the information being disclosed to authorized individuals ensuring compliance with all HIPAA and corporate compliance standards, as well as generally accepted confidentiality standards.
• Performs the specialized technical skills to complete all assigned coding processing duties, tasks, and responsibilities, in addition to working successfully with all organizational operating systems, and/or business software, such as:
  • Reviews complex medical records and accurately codes the primary/secondary diagnoses and procedures using ICD and/or CPT coding conventions;
    • Analyzes provider documentation to assure the appropriate Evaluation and Management levels are assigned using the correct CPT code;
    • Identifies incomplete documentation in the medical record and formulate a provider query to obtain missing documentation and/or clarification and provide education to providers to accurately complete the coding process;
    • Reviews records for compliance with established third-party reimbursement agencies and special screening criteria;
  • Utilizes standard coding guidelines, principles and coding standards to assign the appropriate ICD and CPT codes for all record types ensuring accurate reimbursement;
  • Contacts providers or clients as appropriate when documentation in the medical record is inadequate, ambiguous, or unclear for coding purposes;
  • Reviews all coding entries for accuracy and completeness prior to submission to billing system;
  • Collaborates with staff on resolution of outstanding appeals pending with insurance payers in order to expedite resolution of accounts.
• Provides support and instruction to internal clients regarding financial reimbursement, evaluation of International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and/or Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding, supporting improvement in provider documentation, coding and other regulatory compliance for commercial and managed care payers; as well as reimbursement methodologies.
  • Provides real-time feedback to providers as it pertains to: proper coding and clinical documentation of services performed, coding issues, and reviewing denials;
  • Evaluates and identifies front-end and back-end error trends for training utilization, bringing them to the attention of the supervisor.
• Coordinates the work of designated Coding Assistants ensuring the quality and quantity of work-performed meets the established departmental and organizational standards through regular audits.
• Demonstrates an understanding of and proficiency with the application of all Joint Commission Accreditation standards and reporting requirements applicable to a Certified Professional Coder.
• Communicates and coordinates successfully with providers and other internal clients regarding coding documentation policies, procedures, and regulations; obtains clarification of conflicting, ambiguous, or non-specific documentation.
• Embraces and supports a professional working environment based upon an understanding and respect for diversity and multi-culture in all its forms; demonstrates sensitivity, acknowledges varied beliefs, attitudes, behaviors, and customs; and encourages communication and appreciation of all forms of diversity.
• Demonstrates an exceptional level of customer service; answering and responding to all incoming calls, emails, and inquiries in a timely and effective manner, responds to requests for support providing general information in response to inquiries; referring technical inquiries or complaints to the appropriate department member for resolution.
  • Exemplifies "World Class" customer service experience working to resolve complaints and living the mission, vision, and values of the organization.
• Communicates effectively through written, verbal, and interpersonal skills as applied when interacting with employees, internal/external clients or representatives, or patients, successfully conveying and exchanging information in a positive and effective manner.
• In support of the Mission and Vision of El Rio Community Health Center, when associated with and/or identifiable as an employee of El Rio Community Health Center employees will at all times represent themselves as a professional role model of El Rio, serving as a positive informational resource for members of the organization and community.
• Support El Rio by participating in community events that promote good health and which contribute to a broader awareness and understanding of El Rio Community Health Center and the many services provided to the community.
• Ensures accurate information is maintained for patient accounts and payer balances by posting third party and patient payments, adjustments/denials, and reclassifying charges to correct payers.
• Ensures and supports the cost effective use of materials, supplies, and equipment by limiting waste of all organizational supplies and resources.
• Gains and maintains an intermediate understanding of anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, disease processes, and surgical techniques through participation in continuing education programs to effectively apply ICD and CPT coding guidelines to outpatient diagnoses and procedures.
• Gains and maintains an intermediate understanding of applicable Federal, State, and commercial payer requirements, standards, regulations or laws; as well as all organizational policies and procedures related to healthcare billing and payment processing.
  • To include, the standards and requirements for commercial and managed care insurance governmental regulations; and commercial or managed care insurance guidelines regarding billing, documentation and compliance.
• Attends and participates in conferences, workshops, and other training opportunities related to receivables coding, and corporate compliance standards or regulations.
• Maintains a clean, safe, and hygienic work environment in compliance with all Policies and Procedures including but not limited to work areas, workstations, examination rooms, hand washing, infection prevention and control etc. for this position.

• Demonstrates an understanding of and proficiency with the application of all compliance and reporting requirements respective to Joint Commission Certification (JCC) standards.

Requirements

• A High School Diploma or G.E.D.

• Must possess and maintain a current Certified Professional Coding certification (CPC).
• Level I fingerprint clearance card: current valid and in good standing or have applied for it within seven working days after beginning employment.
• Employees in this position are required to have reliable transportation that can meet any operational reassignments of the organization during the workday. If an employee is driving during work hours, the employee is required to possess a valid driver's license and must comply with Arizona vehicle insurance requirements.

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) with the ability to speak, read and write in both languages.

• Analyze Patient Records
• Effective Communication
• Coordinate Coding Assistants
• Maintain Information Accuracy
• Utilize Coding Standards