Certified Coder (FT) - Remote

Optim•Savannah, GA

1d•Remote

About The Position

The Certified Coder obtains hospital dictation and charge slips from physicians, hospitals, transcription services, and Athena for coding, and updates physician coding according to payer guidelines using appropriate ICD-10 and CPT codes. The role verifies and updates patient demographic information before charges are posted, creates patient accounts when needed, and obtains demographic and authorization information from facilities. The coder accurately and promptly codes and posts charges, including appropriate comments for global periods, codes, modifiers, and pricing. The position uses multiple software programs and ensures procedure-entry fields are coded correctly for reporting. It also tracks missing slips and surgical appointments, prints daily schedules, runs periodic reports to confirm scheduled surgeries are posted, and records and balances charges daily. The role compares precertified codes with documentation, seeks provider approval for code changes, and coordinates approved changes with precertification staff and insurance carriers. It ensures precertification and authorization are attached to claims, responds to coding questions, posts surgery prepays, works Athena coding issue queues, corrects charges and related payments or adjustments, and audits physicians’ E/M documentation. The Certified Coder stays current with state and federal legislative changes and coding rules, maintains accreditation or licensing in the chosen field, completes yearly Healthstream courses, maintains strict confidentiality, and performs related work as required.

Responsibilities

Obtain hospital dictation and charge slips from physicians, hospitals, transcription services, and Athena for coding.
Update physician coding as appropriate to payer guidelines and use proper ICD-10 and CPT codes.
Verify and update patient demographic information before posting charges; create new patient accounts when needed and obtain demographic and authorization information from facilities.
Code and post charges accurately and promptly, including comments for global periods and correct codes, modifiers, and pricing.
Ensure procedure-entry fields are coded correctly for reporting and use multiple software programs to process coding accurately.
Complete missing slips daily and verify that all surgical appointments are posted.
Print a daily schedule to ensure all cases are posted.
Run Missing Slip Reports periodically to verify that all scheduled surgeries for the month are posted.
Compare precertified codes with documentation and notify providers when code changes require authorization.
After physician approval, notify precertification staff to change codes with insurance carriers and ensure precertification or authorization is attached to claims.
Record and balance all posted charges daily.
Assist other departments, offices, and patients with coding questions, including self-pay fees, down payments, and Medicare rates.
Post prepays to surgery charges.
Handle Athena worklists and scrubs for coding issues, including improper diagnosis, medical necessity, missing or incorrect modifiers, assistant surgeons, and appeals; review documentation and update coding as documented.
Correct charges for other insurance carriers as requested and verified, including moving charges, payments, and adjustments.
Audit E/M documentation for all physicians.
Prepare or support various reports.
Remain current with state and federal legislative changes affecting outcomes and stay up to date with coding rules.
Maintain accreditation and/or licensing in the chosen field.
Complete yearly Healthstream courses.
Maintain strict confidentiality.
Perform related work as required.