III (RHIA, RHIT, CCS, or CIC Certification Required)

Excellus BCBS•Utica, NY

85d•$65,346 - $142,322•Remote

About The Position

The Payment Integrity DRG Coding & Clinical Validation Analyst position requires an extensive background in acute facility-based clinical documentation and/or inpatient coding, with a high level of understanding of the current MS-DRG and APR-DRG payment systems. This role is responsible for reviewing medical records to ensure provider documentation supports the principal diagnosis, co-morbidities, complications, secondary diagnosis, surgical procedures, and POA indicators. The goal is to validate coding and DRG assignment accuracy, ensuring physician documentation supports the hospital coded data.

Requirements

Associate or bachelor’s degree in health information management (RHIA or RHIT) or a Nursing Degree.
Three (3) years’ experience in claims auditing, quality assurance, or recovery auditing, of (MS/APR) DRG coding for hospital or other acute facility setting.
Three (3) years of working experience with ICD 10CM, MS-DRG, and APR-DRG with a broad knowledge of medical claims billing/payment systems, provider billing guidelines, medical necessity criteria, and coding terminology.
Coding Certification is to be maintained as a condition of employment of one of the following: RHIA or RHIT, Inpatient Coding Credential – CCS or CIC.
Intermediate analytical and problem-solving skills; as well as keeps abreast of latest trends related to business analysis.
Intermediate knowledge of PC, software, auditing tools and claims processing systems.
Five (5) years’ experience in claims auditing, quality assurance, or recovery auditing, of (MS/APR) DRG coding for hospital or other acute facility setting.
Five (5) years of working experience with ICD 10CM, MS-DRG, and APR-DRG with a broad knowledge of medical claims billing/payment systems, provider billing guidelines, medical necessity criteria, and coding terminology.
Demonstrated ability across multiple skills, products, processes, and systems with the Division.
Demonstrated ability to lead initiatives with occasional guidance and assistance from management and/or others.
Advanced analytical, problem solving, and judgement skills.
Advanced knowledge of PC, software, auditing tools and claims processing systems.
Eight (8) years’ experience in claims auditing, quality assurance, or recovery auditing, of (MS/APR) DRG coding for hospital or other acute facility setting.
Eight (8) years of working experience with ICD 10CM, MS-DRG, and APR-DRG with a broad knowledge of medical claims billing/payment systems, provider billing guidelines, medical necessity criteria, and coding terminology.
Demonstrated leadership skills.
Demonstrated ability as a subject matter expert or consultant to other departments.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and assumes lead role in key business initiatives.
Expert proficiency in analytical skills, auditing skillset and ability to manage complex assignments, challenging situations, and highly visible issues.
Demonstrated expert proficiency in project management and presentation skills.
Ability to work prolonged periods sitting and/or standing at a workstation and working on a computer.
Ability to travel across the Health Plan service region for meetings and/or trainings as needed.

Responsibilities

Analyzes and audits acute inpatient claims.
Integrates medical chart coding principles, clinical guidelines, and objectivity in the performance of medical audit activities.
Draws on advanced ICD-10 coding expertise, clinical guidelines, and industry knowledge to substantiate conclusions.
Performs work independently.
Adheres to official coding guidelines, coding clinic determinations, and CMS and other regulatory compliance guidelines and mandates.
Requires expert coding knowledge – DRG & ICD 10.
Establishes national and best practice benchmarks and measures performance against benchmarks.
Ensures accurate payment by independently utilizing DRG grouper, encoder, and claims processing platform.
Manages case volumes and review/audit schedules, prioritizing case load as assigned by Management.
Consistently demonstrates high standards of integrity by supporting the Lifetime Healthcare Companies’ mission and values, adhering to the Corporate Code of Conduct, and leading to the Lifetime Way values and beliefs.
Maintains high regard for member privacy in accordance with the corporate privacy policies and procedures.
Performs other functions as assigned by management.
Performs complex audits or projects with minimal direction or oversight.
Acts as an expert in reviewing medical coding and medical record review with ability to oversee complex assignments, challenging customers, and highly visible issues.
Supports leadership in projects related to divisional/departmental strategies and initiatives.
Participates and represents in audits, payment methodologies, contractual agreements, with cross functional teams or with business partners as needed.
Serves as a mentor to new hires.
Demonstrates ability to participate and represent department on internal/external committees.
Provides expertise in developing data criteria for audits.
Acts as a Lead and provides training, guidance, consultation, complex performance analysis, and coaching expertise to team members around methods of continuous quality improvement.
Serves as an expert and resource for escalations and works directly with Payment Integrity staff to resolve issues and escalation problems.
Provides backup support for Management as necessary.