Senior Documentation and Coding Analyst

Overview

We are seeking a Senior Documentation & Coding Analyst to join our team at UnityPoint Health! This role will develop and implement the education program aimed at enhancing documentation and coding practices across the organization. The Senior Analyst will promote documentation accuracy by auditing and creating/updating training tools for providers, clinical staff, coders/billing specialists, and documentation & coding analysts. This position acts as a liaison between the providers, clinical staff and coders, provides updated and new material as it arises, and helps answer documentation and coding questions.

Candidates who hold a certification in coding and have at least 6 years of experience in coding are highly encouraged to apply!  

Location: Remote - applicants must reside within the UnityPoint Health footprint of Iowa, Illinois, or Wisconsin 

Hours: Monday-Friday, standard business hours 

Why UnityPoint Health?

At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.  

Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in.  Here are just a few:      

• Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.   

• Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.  

• Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.   

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.   

And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience. 

Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.

Responsibilities

Clinical Documentation Review and Reporting 

• Assess clinical documentation for compliance in accordance with the American Medical Association and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Coding and Documentation guidelines, regulations of federal and state agencies, and third party payers 
• Validate clinical documentation in conjunction with charges and evaluate accuracy and timeliness of the billing process
• Investigate, evaluate and identify opportunities for improvement and provide guidance and counsel to providers with face-to-face meetings
• Identify and audit areas requiring attention, performing special audits/investigations as requested, share this information with leadership and provide one-on-one education with the provider and in a timely manner
• Collect and analyze data, submit reports as assigned and monitor monthly audits to ensure that they are completed timely
• Report/record all documentation and coding issues that require follow-up reviews to coding manager
• Work the EPIC follow-up and account work queues to keep queues in a manageable state; inform leadership of workflow issues with suggestions for improvement
• Be aware of what is happening in clinic/department and the organization by attending clinic/department meetings, reading e-mails/in-basket messages and regularly checking information on the organization’s intranet site
• Monitor environmental conditions in order to secure protected health information
• Demonstrate initiative to improve quality and customer service by striving to exceed customer expectations
• Balance team and individual responsibilities; be open and objective to other’s views; give and welcome feedback; contribute to positive team goals; and put the success of the team above own interests
• Perform other duties at the request of various departmental leadership groups to facilitate the smooth and effective operations of the organization

Clinical Coding Research and Education 

• Participate in development and implementation of Office of Inspector General Work Plan
• Research coding inquires and be a resource for providers, clinical, billing and coding staff
• Monitor payment status of services with specific coding requirements as needed
• Maintain compliance with CLIA, OSHA, Safety and Risk Management guidelines
• Investigate, evaluate and identify opportunities for improvement and provide guidance and counsel to coding/billing staff by setting up small group meetings or training sessions
• Provide regular education to providers, clinical, billing and coding staff regarding coding documentation standards
• Create, update and revise the coding department’s newsletters, education, reference documents
• Lead initiatives with coding team participation, partnering with other departments to capitalize on our FOCUS values

Qualifications

Education: 

• Required: High school diploma or equivalent 
• Preferred: AAS Degree in Health Information Management 

Experience:

• Required: Six (6) years of coding experience
• Required: Proficient in resource tools for reporting and tracking audits and maintaining the system
• Required: Proficient in organization’s electronic coding system

Licenses: 

• Required: Coding certification through AHIMA: Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIT), Registered Health Information Technician (RHIA), Certified Coding Specialists (CCS), or AAPC Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
• Required: Hold a minimum of one (1) coding certification plus be a department resource for a minimum of one specialty
• Valid driver’s license when driving any vehicle for work-related reasons