Full-Time Lead Medical and Mental Health Coder

Description: The Lead Medical and Mental Health Coder is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the billing team, ensuring accurate coding for mental health and medical services, and leading with best practices for compliant and efficient coding procedures.

This role combines advanced knowledge of coding with leadership skills to guide a team of billing staff, collaborate with clinical providers/members, and maintain compliance with industry standards and payer requirements.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience in both medical and mental health coding, with a proven track record of leadership in a healthcare setting.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and mentor the billing team, providing guidance, training, and ongoing support to ensure high performance and adherence to best practices
• Assign and prioritize billing tasks, manage workloads, and ensure the team meets productivity goals and deadlines
• Oversee coding of services using ICD-10 and DSM-5 Coding
• Review and accurately code services for mental health, psychiatric, and medical providers using ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS codes
• Ensure coding is consistent with payer guidelines, industry standards, and organizational policies
• Monitor changes in coding regulations, payer requirements, and industry standards, and implement necessary updates within the team
• Conduct regular coding audits and compliance checks to identify areas for improvement and mitigate risks
• Work closely with providers to ensure documentation supports coding requirements and aligns with payer regulations
• Provide education and training to clinical staff on documentation best practices, coding updates, and compliance requirements
• Collaborate with the billing team to ensure claims are submitted accurately and promptly, reducing denials and maximizing revenue
• Assist in reviewing and resolving coding-related denials or rejections from insurance companies, ensuring appropriate action is taken
• Monitor trends in claims denials, providing insights and strategies to reduce recurring issues
• Identify opportunities to streamline coding processes and improve efficiency within the department
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) for coding and documentation practices
• Generate reports on coding accuracy, productivity, and compliance metrics for management review
• Act as a liaison between billing team and providers to resolve any coding-related issues or discrepancies
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

Education:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Health Information Management, Medical Coding, or a related field preferred
• Certification as a Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), or Certified Professional Coder in Psychiatry (CPC-Psych) required.

Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of coding experience in both mental health and medical settings, with at least 1-2 years in a leadership or supervisory role
• In-depth knowledge of coding guidelines, payer-specific regulations, and compliance standards in both mental health and general medical coding
• Experience with EHR systems and coding software, with proficiency in platforms like Epic, IntakeQ, or similar system

Skills:

• Strong leadership and team management abilities, with a focus on collaboration and positive team culture
• Expertise in ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS coding for a wide range of mental health and medical services
• Excellent communication and training skills, with the ability to educate and influence clinical and administrative teams
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical skills for problem-solving, compliance monitoring, and reporting
• Compassionate and Confidential
• Efficient with computer software systems (with training)
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google products (Documents, Sheets, etc.)
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
• Willingness to learn and adapt
• Strong organization and time management skills
• Skilled in verbal and written communication including good phone skills
• Willingness to work occasional overtime

Benefits:

• Additional opportunity for annual profit sharing and/or performance based annual review increase
• Health care stipend
• Retirement plan options
• Supportive and collaborate team environment
• Remote Work Environment
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holidays

*In accordance with legal requirements and company policies, successful candidates for this position will be required to complete the form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, as part of the BHC Onboarding Process*