GENERAL NATURE OF DUTIES:
Responsible overseeing the clinic and hospital coding practices and documentation of medical information as it pertains to reimbursement, compliance and quality assurance. This individual must work closely with the Practice Administrators, Business Office, and Hospital Partners and communicate effectively with the billing managers, nursing staff and medical staff regarding coding, documentation and compliance issues. This coordinator will also train/instruct and coach the clinic and hospital coding personnel in proper coding practices.
SPECIFIC DUTIES:
- Supervises and performs a wide range of activities pertaining to the review and coding of inpatient and outpatient medical record information.
- Assist Practice Administrators with allocation of coding resources across all clinics to ensure coverage to meet month end deadlines.
- Assist hospital partners with coding consistency and/or other information on an ongoing basis.
- Performs data quality reviews on inpatient records to validate the International Classification of Diseases Manual (ICD-10), the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), and the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Level II code and modifier assignments; verifies appropriateness; checks for missed secondary diagnoses and procedures and ensures compliance with all diagnosis mandates and reporting requirements; monitors Medicare and other bulletins and manuals, and reviews the current Office of the Inspector General (OIG) work plans for diagnosis risk areas.
- Train/instruct and coach staff in proper coding practices to strengthen risk-adjusted coding.
- Assist the coding and billing department in determination of proper indications for services.
- Maintain a current written policy and procedure Coding Manual to secure accurate, consistent and compliant coding and billing practices.
- Provide an up-to-date resource for providers and staff to review proper Medicare indications for services. Assist with maintaining an electronic Medicare resource on “shared data” for quick access to current Medicare information by staff and/or providers.
- Assist in the review and resolution of medical necessity denials. Provide medical information on claims requiring such to be processed.
- Assist with the development of and implementation of an internal coding audit program.
- Complete internal documentation, billing and compliance audits on a reoccurring basis. Obtain information, through chart reviews and data studies, to assess medical documentation of reimbursement, compliance and risk management issues.
- Communicate findings to the Business Services Director, Practice Administrators, and Providers and assist in communicating the findings and need for improvement in medical documentation.
- Assure education of nurses, staff and providers across CIS on documentation requirements, coding and billing practices, Medicare policies and procedures and compliance rules.
- Attend workshops and seminars to assure up-to-date information of topics that apply to coding, billing and compliance.
- Review no less than once a quarter the E&M Analysis to look for education opportunities for providers.
- Present to all coders at least once a quarter some type of coding education for clinic or hospital or both based on recent audit findings.
- Assist in the development and on-going review of coding productivity to ensure that productivity levels remain at or above MedAxiom benchmarks.
- Work closely with office team leaders and staff to assure consistency of coding and billing practices, documentation and compliance activities. Answer questions and give guidance as needed.
- Review annual Medicare quality and cost data reports to determine areas of opportunity.
- Works in harmony with CIS Compliance to assure that all coding is being done in a compliant manner and that issues related to compliance and coding are being addressed in a timely manner.
- Performs other related duties as assigned and serves in whatever other capacity deemed necessary for successful completion of the mission and goals of CIS and in concordance with its patient philosophy.
STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE:
1. Keeps work area neat and organized. Reports safety issues to Team Leader immediately.
2. Works efficiently and manages time wisely. Assist other employees when all duties are complete.
3. Communicates any problems, difficulties or concerns regarding job duties to the Team Leader.
4. Performs all duties without significant error occurring with any regularity.
5. Meets all deadlines and timeframes for completion of assignments.
6. Represents CIS in a professional manner at all times. Demonstrates acceptable ability to interact with physicians, staff (“internal customers”) and “external customers” (patients, family members, insurance companies, home health etc.) on a professional level at all times. Exhibits good communication skills with physicians, patients, team leaders, and co-workers at all times.
7. Exhibits whenever possible a harmonious relationship with other CIS employees in order to accomplish the duties and responsibilities of the position. While perfect harmonious relationships with all employees is sometimes not achievable, not more than an occasional complaint should be received by the Team Leader about the incumbent of this position.
8. The employee shall work and relate cooperatively with all other employees (internal customers) of CIS to assure optimum care for the patients of CIS and to achieve standards of care set forth by the CIS medical staff.
9. Adheres to the CIS Compliance Plan as it pertains to the above specific job duties. Uses best efforts to maintain compliance by following the CIS Corporate Compliance Plan, attending CIS compliance education, following medical documentation guidelines, and communicating concerns regarding compliance issues.
10. Performs accurate and complete documentation in the patient’s medical record, when applicable. This includes documentation in both the paper record and the electronic medical record (EMR).
11. Work with the electronic medical record (EMR) staff to maintain quality and work towards future EMR development.
12. Maintains patient confidentiality according to the HIPAA standards of privacy and security.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION:
1. Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
2. Excellent communication and organization skills required.
3. Ability to travel to all CIS locations.
4. Willingness to cooperate and work towards solutions, which support a common goal.
5. Staff education experience preferred.
6. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
7. Experience with Medicare process, reimbursement, audit and compliance issues.
8. Certified Professional Coder (CPC) preferred