Medical Billing Coder I - UMC Billing Services - 530979

The University of Alabama•Tuscaloosa, AL

1d•$21 - $27•Remote

About The Position

The Medical Billing Coder I provides timely and accurate billing and coding for multi-specialty physician office visits, inpatient and surgical hospital visits, and procedures in an academic environment. The role reviews and corrects charges submitted through clinic and hospital electronic health record systems, applying CPT, HCPCS, ICD-10, and insurance payer standards. It follows up on unpaid insurance claims, corrects denials and audit trails, and responds to patient statement inquiries. The position performs medical billing services for the College of Community Health Sciences. It prepares and submits clean claims electronically or by paper, verifies that documentation supports diagnoses, procedures, and treatment results, and provides timely feedback to faculty, residents, learners, and clinical staff about documentation and coding. It resolves coding edits during charge entry to support timely claim submission. The role also answers questions from patients, clinicians, clerical staff, and insurance companies; resolves patient billing inquiries; evaluates patient financial status and establishes budget payment plans; flags delinquent accounts for collection; processes patient payments and prepares an End of Day report. It completes worklog tasks and accounts receivable reports, contacts insurers to resolve denials, submits appeals, and contacts patients to resolve coordination-of-benefits issues. Strict confidentiality and adherence to HIPAA guidelines and regulations are required. The normal schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with some evening and weekend hours as needed. The position is eligible for remote work subject to University policy.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED and four years of medical bill coding experience; or an associate's degree or medical coding certificate and two years of medical bill coding experience; or a bachelor's degree and some medical bill coding experience.
Experience processing charges submitted in an electronic health record system.
Knowledge and skill in working with Excel spreadsheets and Word documents.
Excellent organizational, written communication, and verbal communication skills.
Attention to detail.
Excellent customer service skills, including respect, cultural awareness, and sensitivity.
Ability to work independently and solve problems.
Time management skills.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

Nice To Haves

Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification from the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).
Certified Coding Specialist certification from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
ICD-10 training or experience.

Responsibilities

Process multi-specialty physician office, inpatient and surgical hospital, and procedural billing and coding.
Review and correct charges submitted through clinic and hospital electronic health record systems using CPT, HCPCS, ICD-10, and payer standards.
Prepare and submit clean insurance claims electronically or by paper.
Verify that documentation supports diagnoses, procedures, and treatment results.
Resolve coding edits during charge entry to ensure timely claim submission.
Provide feedback to faculty, residents, learners, and clinical staff about documentation and coding practices.
Follow up with insurance companies on unpaid claims and outstanding accounts receivable; resolve denials and submit appeals.
Respond to patient statement and billing inquiries and answer questions from patients, clinicians, clerical staff, and insurers.
Evaluate patients’ financial status and establish budget payment plans.
Identify delinquent accounts for submission to a collection agency.
Process patient payments and prepare an End of Day report.
Complete worklog tasks and contact patients to resolve coordination-of-benefits issues.
Maintain strict confidentiality and comply with HIPAA guidelines and regulations.