Contractor Inpatient Medical Coding Specialist

As an experienced Aquity coder you will be responsible for providing coding and abstracting services for clients on acute care inpatients. You will use established coding principles and your knowledge and experience to assign diagnostic and procedural codes after a thorough review of the medical record to obtain the appropriate DRG. As a coding leader, you will participate in industry forums as well as support coding education within the team.

Responsibilities:

Reviews medical records to identify pertinent diagnoses and procedures relative to the patient's health care encounter. Selects the principal diagnosis and principal procedure, along with other diagnoses and procedures using UHDDS definition. Ensures appropriate DRG assignment. Abstracts appropriate information from the medical record based on the guidelines provided by the client and after a thorough review of the medical record. Consistently meet productivity and quality performance requirements. Responsible for utilizing Aquity applications to enter charts coded in real-time throughout the scheduled shift.

Solicits clarification from the physician regarding ambiguous or conflicting documentation in the medical record using guidelines provided by the client.

Participate in team meetings and all training required by Aquity staff or client. May be asked to participate in training or shadowing of other coders. Flexibility in assignment over multiple clients to ensure meeting required classification hours. Participate in Coding Roundtables through presentation of materials, articles and current issues related to coding and Health Information Management.

Maintains current knowledge of the information contained in the Coding Clinic, CPT Assistant, and the Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting. Participates in education modules as assigned. Responsible for keeping coding credentials up to date and active.

Maintains effective and professional communication skills. Contributes to a positive company image by exhibiting professionalism, adaptability and mutual respect.

Coding credentials required: CCS, RHIA, RHIT

Experience:

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Inpatient Medical and Surgical admissions (trauma level III – V); LOS >3 days – 30 days

Must have a minimum of 3-5 years of related acute care coding experience.

Understands medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, surgical technology, pharmacology and disease processes.

Extensive knowledge of ICD-10-CM and CPT coding principles and guidelines, reimbursement systems, federal, state and payor-specific regulations and policies pertaining to documentation, coding and billing.

Must pass inpatient coding proficiency test.

Knowledge/Skills

Requires strong interpersonal communication skills, both verbal and written

Requires a high level of coding accuracy and attention to detail

Excellent oral and written communication skills – must be detailed and articulate

Strong knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook is required

Working environment

Remote working environment; Extended periods of computer-based work.

Physical Demands

Prolonged computer screen usage, keyboarding. Long periods of sitting commensurate with computer-based work and work-related phone calls.

Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.

Compensation and Benefits:

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to current market conditions, location, education, work experience, certifications, etc. AQuity Solutions offers a competitive benefits package including healthcare, 401k, and paid time off (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements for full-time employees). AQuity Solutions is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.