Remote Medical Coder III
US Citizenship required.
We are currently assembling a team of skilled remote medical coders to work on a new government project in partnership with the Defense Health Agency (DHA). This is a unique and rewarding opportunity to contribute to meaningful work that supports our nation's military healthcare system, all from the comfort of your home.
Core Duties
- Accurately assigns Evaluation and Management (E&M) codes, International Classification of Diseases, Clinical Modification (ICD-CM) diagnoses, ICD-10 Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS), Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS), modifiers, and quantities derived from medical record documentation (paper or electronic) for the professional and institutional (facility) components of inpatient facility discharges (stays); inpatient professional services to include attending (also known as “Rounds”), consultations, and concurrent services, and inpatient surgical and anesthesia procedures; and inpatient External Resource Sharing Agreement (ERSA) encounters. May also code ambulatory (i.e. Coder II) or outpatient (i.e. Coder I) encounters as directed.
- Reviews encounter and/or record documentation to identify and resolve inconsistencies, ambiguities, or discrepancies that may cause inaccurate coding, medico-legal repercussions or impacts quality patient care.
- Identifies any problems with legibility, abbreviations, etc., and brings to the provider’s attention.
- Educates and provides feedback to providers and clinical staff to resolve documentation issues to support coding compliance.
- Assigns accurate codes to encounters based upon provider responses to coding queries.
- Acts as a source of reference to medical staff having questions, issues, or concerns related to coding. Responds to provider questions and provides examples of appropriate coding and documentation reference(s) to provide clarity and understanding. Collaborates with and supports medical coding auditors, trainers, and compliance specialists in providing education and feedback to providers and staff.
- Supports DHA coding compliance by performing due diligence in ethically and appropriately researching and/or interpreting existing guidance, including seeking clarification through appropriate channels.
- Upon DHA-MCPB direction, utilizes MHS computer systems to remotely access patient records and assign codes for patient encounters in support of other MTFs.
- Achieve and maintain DHA coding productivity and accuracy standards for the position.
Education
Post-high school education through a university or technical school program resulting in completion of ONE of the following:
- Associate's degree or higher in Health Information Management, Healthcare Administration, or a biological science, OR
- University certificate in medical coding, OR
- Completion of an American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) or American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) coding certification preparation course for professional services or facility coding that includes medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, health information management concepts, and pharmacology, OR
- At least 30 semester hours' university/college credit that includes relevant coursework such as anatomy/physiology, medical terminology, health information management, and/or pharmacology
- Successful completion of a training course beyond apprentice level for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or hospital training, obtained in a training program given by the Armed Forces or the U.S. Maritime Service under close medical and professional supervision.
Professional Coding Certifications. One (1) of the following professional coding certifications:
· Certified Professional Coder (CPC), AAPC
· Certified Coding Specialist – Physician (CCS-P), AHIMA
· Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), AHIMA
· Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), AHIMA
Institutional Coding Certifications. One (1) of the following professional coding certifications:
· Certified Outpatient Coder (COC), AAPC
· Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), AHIMA
· Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), AHIMA
· Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), AHIMA
Experience
- Minimum of four (4) years of experience coding and/or auditing in two (2) or more medical, surgical, and ancillary specialties within the past 10 years; OR
- Minimum of two (2) years of experience if that experience was in support of a military treatment facility
- A minimum of one (1) year of performance in the specialty is required to be documented to be considered qualifying