Medical Coder (Inpatient)

Aptive•Remote,

2d•$25 - $30•Remote

About The Position

Aptive Resources is hiring experienced inpatient coders to support the Health Information Management Service (HIMS) at Veterans Affairs medical centers across Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina. You'll code inpatient admissions for Veterans from home, using the VA's electronic health record. The VA expects about 15,000 inpatient episodes a year across the Atlanta, Birmingham, Augusta, Charleston, and Central Alabama facilities.

Requirements

An active RHIA, RHIT, CCS, or CPC-H credential. CCS is preferred for this role.
At least 2 years of recent inpatient facility coding experience, including ICD-10-PCS and DRG assignment.
Completion of an accredited coding, HIM, or health information technician program.
Formal training in anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and reimbursement methods.
Proficiency with an industry-standard encoder, such as 3M or Optum.
US citizenship, and the ability to pass a federal background investigation (NACI) and fingerprinting.
A private, secure home workspace with reliable high-speed internet.
Complete the VA's annual Privacy and Information Security Awareness and HIPAA training (TMS 10176 and 10203) before starting, and once a year after that.
Follow AHIMA's Standards of Ethical Coding and VA confidentiality rules.

Nice To Haves

Experience with VA systems, including VistA, CPRS, and the PTF.
Experience coding for an acute care hospital or academic medical center.
Experience with CDI queries or responding to claim denials.

Responsibilities

Review inpatient records in CPRS and assign accurate ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS codes and DRGs.
Complete Patient Treatment File (PTF) transactions (101, 401, 501, 601, 701/702, and 801) according to VHA Handbook 1907.03 and 1907.04.
Abstract the required data and enter it in VistA through the VA-approved encoder.
Decide whether an episode is billable, and record the reason when it isn't (for example, care for a service-connected condition or Agent Orange exposure).
Code according to the Cooperating Parties' guidelines, AHA Coding Clinic, and the VHA Handbook for Coding Guidelines. VHA guidance takes priority when they conflict.
Exclude symptoms that are part of a confirmed diagnosis, and findings that don't affect current care.
Send questions about conflicting, unclear, or incomplete documentation to your supervisor.
Re-review your coded records when the VA questions them before billing or after a claim is denied, then correct the codes or back them up with coding references.
Maintain at least 95% accuracy and meet each facility's turnaround times.