Remote Optum Medical Coding Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

University of Iowa Health Care is recognized as one of the best hospitals in the United States and is Iowa's only comprehensive academic medical center and a regional referral center. Each day more than 12,000 employees, students, and volunteers work together to provide safe, quality health care and excellent service for our patients. Simply stated, our mission is: Changing Medicine. Changing Lives.

University of Iowa Health Care, Department of Health Information Management, Coding and Abstracting Division is seeking an individual to join our team as a full-time Emergency Department Medical Coder (Coding Representative) - Remote Eligible to assign accurate and complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis, CPT/HCPCS procedure codes, and E&M codes for facility and physician ED services.  

Classification Title:  Coding Representative

Department:  Health Information Management

University Pay Grade:  2B https://hr.uiowa.edu/pay/pay-plans/professional-and-scientific-pay-structure-b

Annual Salary:  $45,000 to Commensurate

Percent of Time:  100%, 40 hours per week

Staff Type:  Professional & Scientific

Work Schedule:  Days and hours are negotiable, 40 hours per week

Location: Hospital Support Services Building (HSSB), 3281 Ridgeway Drive, Coralville, IA  52241

Benefits Highlights:

• https://hr.uiowa.edu/benefits
• Regular salaried position located in Coralville, Iowa
• Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans.

Position Responsibilities:

       Review medical record documentation to assign accurate and complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis and CPT/HCPCS procedure codes, as well as Evaluation and Management (E/M) codes for facility and physician services related to the Emergency Department, in accordance with ICD-10 Official Coding Guidelines, regulatory guidelines, and coding compliance policies.

       Adopt and incorporate initiatives that improve compliance and reduce risks to the institution.

This position is eligible to participate in remote work and applicants who wish to work remotely will be considered.  Training will be held either on-site or virtually from the Hospital Support Services building at a length determined by the supervisor.  Remote eligibility will be evaluated upon satisfactory training.  Per policy, work arrangements will be reviewed annually, and must comply with the remote work program and related policies and employee travel policy when working at a remote location.

Key Areas of Responsibilities:

Patient Revenue Management - Review medical record documentation to assign correct diagnoses and CPT procedure codes.  Determine if billed data complies with documentation and regulatory requirements. Adopt and incorporate initiatives that improve compliance and reduce risks to the institution.

Operations and Performance Standards - Monitor compliance standards and policies to ensure UI Health Care receives full and accurate reimbursement for services in compliance with payor rules and regulations. Contribute to new tools and processes that address underlying causes of incorrect payment. Review HB (hospital billing) and PB (physician billing) charge review work queues for accounts with edits. Identify potential process improvements including denial management.

Reporting - Prepare work list reports and other reports as directed.

Communication/Training - Communicate with co-workers, supervisors and departments to resolve issues. May assist with or provide training to providers regarding documentation requirements. Communicate with healthcare providers to resolve documentation issues, including incomplete or unsigned documentation, or when additional information is needed to ensure complete and accurate code assignment.  Participate in internal coding and developmental training.

Required Education

Completion of a degree program in Health Information Management from AHIMA or medical coding certification program from AAPC and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Required Certification:

Requires Health Information Management certification such as RHIA or RHIT or coding certification (CCS, CCA or CPC, etc.) through a nationally recognized credentialing body (AHIMA or AAPC).  Must receive full certification within six months of hire.

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of hospital outpatient ICD-10-CM and CPT medical coding
• Knowledge of Evaluation and Management (E&M) coding for physician billing 
• Knowledge of medical terminology
• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology
• Must be proficient in computer software applications (i.e. Microsoft Office)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong attention to detail with accuracy to achieve or exceed organizational and individual performance goals
• Professional experience working effectively with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives

Desired Qualifications:

• 1-3 years of experience with hospital outpatient ICD-10-CM and CPT medical coding
• 1-3 years of experience with Evaluation and Management (E&M) coding for Emergency department physicians
• Knowledge, understanding and experience with CMS regulations and industry standards
• Knowledge and experience utilizing Epic
• Knowledge and experience utilizing 3M (or equivalent) MS DRG/APR DRG encoder/analyzer software

 Position and Application Details:

In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload a resume and cover letter and mark them as a "Relevant File" to the submission. Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days. This job may be removed from posting and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and education/credential verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.

For questions or additional information, please contact Becki Embretson at becki-embretson@uiowa.edu

Applicant Resource Center - Need help submitting an application or accepting an offer? Support is available.  The Applicant Resource Center is now open in the Fountain Lobby at the Main Hospital. Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays 2:00pm - 4:00pm, Or by appointment. Contact TAHealthCareSupport@healthcare.uiowa.edu to schedule a time to visit.