Entry Level Optum Medical Coding Jobs in California

Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.   

You will enjoy the flexibility to telecommute* from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Leverage understanding of disease process to identify and extract relevant details and data within clinical documentation and make determinations or identify appropriate medical codes
• Utilize resources and reference materials (e.g., on-line sources, manuals) to identify appropriate medical codes and reference code applicability, rules, and guidelines
• Apply understanding of relevant medical coding subject areas (e.g., diagnosis, procedural, evaluation and management, ancillary services) to assign appropriate medical codes
• Apply understanding of basic anatomy and physiology to interpret clinical documentation and identify applicable medical codes
• Identify areas in clinical documentation that are unclear or incomplete and generate queries to obtain additional information
• Follow up with providers as necessary when responses to queries are not provided in a timely basis
• Utilize medical coding software programs or reference materials to identify appropriate codes
• Read and interpret medical coding rules and guidelines to make decisions (e.g., exclusions, sequencing, inclusions)
• Apply post-query response to make final determinations
• Make determinations on medical charting and take initiative to complete reviews independently to avoid delays in the process
• Apply relevant Medical Coding Reference, Federal, State, and Professional guidelines to assign and record independent medical code determinations.
• Manage multiple work demands simultaneously to maintain relevant productivity and turnaround time standards for completing medical records (e.g., charts, assessments, visits, encounters)
• Provide information or respond to questions from medical coding quality audits
• Perform medical coding audits to evaluate medical coding quality
• Review medical coding audit results -Follow steps per agreement with medical coding audit results to resolve discrepancies
• Provide resources and information to substantiate medical coding audit findings
• Educate and mentor others to improve medical coding quality
• Apply understanding of National Correct Coding Edits to the coding process
• Demonstrate understanding of National and Local coverage determinations
• Demonstrate basic knowledge of the impact of coding decisions on revenue cycle
• Follow relevant professional code of ethics consistent with required certifications
• Attain and/or maintain relevant professional certifications and continuing education seminars as required
• Leverage relevant computer software programs (e.g., Microsoft Office) to record information, analyze data, or communicate with others
• Utilize and navigate across clinical software applications to assign medical codes or complete reviews

You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear directions on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma/GED
• 2 years of experience with documentation for procedures, supplies and E&M levels (including ED, OB and OBS)
• Intermediate level of experience with Microsoft Office
• Intermediate level of experience with EHR specifically with Epic

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified Coder with credentials from AAPC with a CPC or AHIMA with CCS, RHIT, RHIA

Soft Skills:

• Meet metric expectations
• Good communication skills
• Team player

*All Telecommuters will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy.

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The hourly pay for this role will range from $24 - $43 per hour based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. 

Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants. 

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone-of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location, and income-deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups, and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

UnitedHealth Group is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.

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