Coding Specialist

Pay starting from $21.37 - $29.61 per hour.

Full-time position

Day shift and no weekends.

Employee Benefits: NCHC Employee Benefits

It is never too early to plan for retirement!

• As an employee of NCHC, you would be eligible for the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), which is among the best funded and best managed public pension systems in the country.
• The WRS is a hybrid defined benefit plan. It contains elements of both a 401(k) or defined contribution plan and a defined benefit plan. The WRS is a strong public pension plan because of its stable funding, unique plan design and robust governance. These factors set the WRS apart from the vast majority of other plans in the United States. With some $142 billion in assets, it is the 8th largest U.S. public pension fund.
• Participating staff contribute 6.9% and NCHC will match this at 100% each pay period!

Purpose of the Position:

The purpose of the Coding Specialist position is to ensure accurate and efficient coding of services related to behavioral health treatments and interventions within the tri-county organization. The role plays a critical part in maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements, facilitating reimbursement processes, and supporting the overall financial integrity of the behavioral health programs. The Coding Specialist will collaborate closely with clinical staff and billing department to streamline coding procedures and optimize revenue capture while upholding the highest standards of confidentiality and ethical coding practices.

Education, Licenses, Certification, Skills, and Experience Requirements:

• Minimum Education:
  • Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), or Certified Professional Coder (CPC)

• Minimum Work Experience:
  • Minimum of one (1) years’ experience of related coding experience directly applying codes.

• Required Skills:
  • Strong experience with review and interpretation of medical record and billing documentation.
  • Experience working in behavioral health and/or medical care setting.
• Driving Requirements:
  • N/A

• Preferred Qualifications, Skills, Education, Licenses, Certifications and Requirements:
  • Medical terminology and clinical workflows.
  • Knowledge of ICD-10 and CPT codes.
  • Experience in medical coding.
  • Cerner EHR knowledge.

Any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintains regular on-site attendance with minimal or no tardiness.
• Self-efficient and demonstrates capacity to work independently without close supervision.
• Assigns diagnosis and procedure codes, using ICD (International Classification of Diseases) and CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes.
• Ensures codes are accurate and sequenced correctly in accordance with government and insurance regulations.
• Able to complete a concise query to medical providers when there is conflicting, missing, or unclear documentation.
• Performs documentation audits, and as a result, creates and delivers education and feedback based on outcomes.
• Examines documentation within the medical record with accurate interpretation.
• Communicates tactfully and respectfully, and always maintains professional communication with providers, clinicians, and other staff members.
• Maintains knowledge of HIPAA and works to ensure compliance and enforcement of the policies and procedures to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of protected health information.
• Assists billing and collections team with responses to insurance carrier payment denial and charge corrections.
• Consistently identifies opportunities to improve clinical documentation and workflows.
• Works with Inpatient and Outpatient medical staff.
• Codes and audits medical records to ensure proper ICD-10 and CPT codes were submitted correctly for reimbursement.
• Identifies trends in discrepancies by location, physician, and/or specialty for training purposes.
• Advanced knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and ancillary test results.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel)
• Ability to quickly analyze a situation, problem solve, and prioritize.
• Works in collaboration with a team, is well organized, and has strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to handle a high-volume workload.
• Communicates with staff on deficient, incomplete, or unclear documentation.
• Consults outside information and sources of knowledge in cases where coding is complex or unusual.

Non-Essential Job Duties:

• All other duties as assigned.

• Assist with projects as they arise.

Functional Demands:

• Activity Requirements (including Mental & Physical Activities):

• 75% General Office Work: Frequent use of computer, keyboard, and other technology; data interpretation, decision making, problem recognition, problem solving, visual acuity (near visual acuity, far visual acuity, depth perception, color vision), hearing, verbal communication, verbal comprehension, writing communication, and written comprehension
• 20% Sedentary Work: Continuous sitting at desk for several hours occasional standing, walking, turning, twisting, bending, stooping, carrying, pushing, pulling, reaching, grasping, and lifting of under 10 pounds as required
  • 5% Medium Work: Frequent lifting, standing, walking, turning, twisting, bending, stooping, carrying, pushing, pulling, reaching, and grasping. Must be able to lift a minimum of 25 pounds unassisted

• Exposure to Hazards:

☒ Minimal exposure to workplace hazards

• Types of Hazards:

☒ Physical

• Working Conditions:

☒ Indoors