Medical Coding Specialist - Outpatient Team

Shift:  40 hours/week – Flexible Schedule, one weekend day required.
Department: Coding & Data Management – Outpatient Team. Remote
Compensation:

·        Base Pay Range:

o   Non-Certified: $19.15 - $30.23 per hour, based on experience

o   Certified: $22.00 - $34.74 per hour, based on experience

ABOUT THE JOB

MU Health Care is looking for a detail-oriented Medical Coding Specialist to join our team. As a crucial member of our healthcare family, the ideal candidate will possess a passion for precision and a commitment to maintaining the highest standards in medical coding. We value individuals who demonstrate a deep understanding of technical coding principles, coupled with a strong knowledge of ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, and CPT codes. Our ideal candidate advances their coding expertise through continuous education, ensuring accurate and compliant coding practices. We seek someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, excels in problem-solving, and actively contributes to audits, troubleshooting, and training initiatives. If you're ready to make a meaningful impact on healthcare billing, reporting, and regulatory compliance, join MU Health Care and be a vital part of our commitment to excellence in patient care.

ABOUT MU HEALTH CARE

MU Health Care is proud to be named one of Forbes’ Best-in-State Employers seven years in a row, and that’s largely a result of the incredible culture and team we’ve built. At MU Health Care, we have an inspired, hard-working and collaborative environment driven by our mission to save and improve lives. Here, we believe anything is possible and rally around solutions. We celebrate innovation and offer opportunities to be a part of something bigger — to have a voice and role in the work that is serving our community and changing the field of medicine.

Our academic health system — the only in mid-Missouri — is home to seven hospitals, including the region’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and region’s only Children’s Hospital, as well as over 90 specialty clinics. Here you can define your career among our many clinical and nonclinical positions — with growth, opportunity and support every step of the way.

Learn more about MU Health Care.

Learn more about living in mid-Missouri.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

·        Health, vision and dental insurance coverage starting day one 

·        Generous paid leave and paid time off, including ten holidays 

·        Multiple retirement options, including 100% matching up to 8% and full vesting in three years

·        Tuition assistance for employees (75%) and immediate family members (50%) 

·        Discounts on cell phone plans, rental cars, gyms, hotels and more

·        See a comprehensive list of benefits here. 

DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTION

Review appropriate provider documentation to determine appropriate principal diagnosis, co-morbidities and complications, secondary conditions, and surgical procedures; utilizes technical coding principles and MS-DRG or APC reimbursement expertise to assign appropriate ICD-10 codes and/or CPT-4 codes.

Reviews and when necessary, corrects the patient admission source, status, and disposition upon discharge. Abides by the Standards of Ethical Coding as set forth by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and adheres to Official Coding Guidelines. Advances coding knowledge and practice through continuing education.

Extract required information from clinical documentation and enters into the encoder and abstracting system, in accordance with the prescribed coding productivity standards.

Perform additional coding support activities including but not limited to audits for correct coding and billing, participates in testing and troubleshooting problems when implementing new applications or updates to existing systems, assists with training for new software applications.

Inpatient Coding Staff (in addition to the above):

Assign Present on Admission (POA) value for all inpatient diagnoses, and an External Cause code as appropriate.

Consult with the Clinical Documentation Specialist to resolve any unspecified or questionable diagnoses prior to final code assignment; determines whether a query must be sent to clarify ambiguous or unclear documentation.

Outpatient Coding Staff (in addition to the above):

Identify chargeable items for visits (i.e. IV infusions/hydration, GI procedures) and enter corresponding charges into the billing system appropriately.

Hold Bill & Denials Staff (in addition to the above):

Work inpatient and/or outpatient coding related bill alerts/edits/denials (i.e. , MUE, Medical Necessity, etc.), in accordance with established procedures.

 

Enter detailed notes to update the financial system if the alert/edit cannot be resolved or must be rerouted to another responsible party for research/resolution. Escalates alert/edit resolution issues as appropriate to minimize final billing delays.

May complete unit/department specific duties and expectations as outlined in department documents.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Non-Certified:

Completion of a coding certification program or equivalent training to obtain certification using ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, and the CPT-4 coding systems. (1) year of related medical records coding experience may be substituted.

One of the following certifications within one (1) year as a condition of continued employment in this job classification:

·        Certified Coding Associate (CCA) by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)

·        Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) by AHIMA

·        Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) by AHIMA

·        Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) by AHIMA

·        Certified Professional Coder (CPC/CPC-A) by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)

·        Certified Outpatient Coder (COC/COC-A) by AAPC

·        Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC/CIC-A) by AAPC

Certified:

One of the following certifications:

·        Certified Coding Associate (CCA) by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)

·        Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) by AHIMA

·        Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) by AHIMA

·        Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) by AHIMA

·        Certified Professional Coder (CPC/CPC-A) by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)

·        Certified Outpatient Coder (COC/COC-A) by AAPC

·        Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC/CIC-A) by AAPC

·        Specialty certification per the department needs such as: Radiation Oncology Certified Coder (ROCC) by the American Medical Accounting and Consulting Inc (AMAC)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Two (2) years of experience in coding for inpatient or outpatient hospital services.

Associate degree or bachelor’s degree in health information technology or health administration.

Additional license/certification requirements as determined by the hiring department.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met with or without reasonable accommodation. The performance of these physical demands is an essential function of the job. The employee may be required ambulate, remain in a stationary position and position self to reach and/or move objects above the shoulders and below the knees. The employee may be required to move objects up to 10 lbs.

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.