Senior Inpatient Medical Coder

UnitedHealth Group•Minnetonka, MN

6h•$24 - $43•Remote

About The Position

Optum is hiring a Senior Inpatient Medical Coder to provide coding services directly to providers and support high-quality documentation processes. This remote role serves inpatient hospital settings and requires an organized, self-directed professional who is comfortable using technical applications. The position is open to telecommuters anywhere within the United States, subject to UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy. Previous success in a remote environment is preferred. The coder identifies appropriate ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS codes for inpatient services and understands their impact on DRG assignment, including CC/MCC considerations. The role also includes chart review and data abstraction, provider documentation feedback and physician queries, ongoing coding education, and tracking charts coded, held, or missing. The company provides four weeks of virtual training from home, scheduled 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The role offers an hourly pay range of $24.00–$43.00 based on full-time employment. A $5,000 sign-on bonus is available to eligible external applicants; current employees of UnitedHealth Group, UnitedHealthcare, or related entities are not eligible. Compensation depends on factors such as labor market, education, experience, and certifications. Benefits are subject to eligibility requirements.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Professional coder certification credentialed through AHIMA and/or AAPC, such as RHIA, RHIT, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, or CPC-H; certification must be maintained annually.
At least 3 years of acute care inpatient medical coding experience in a hospital, facility, or similar setting.
At least 2 years of experience in a Level 2 or higher trauma center and/or teaching hospital, with mastery of complex procedures, major trauma ER encounters, cardiac catheterization, interventional radiology, orthopedic and neurology cases, and observation coding.
At least 2 years of ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, and DRG coding experience.
Ability to pass pre-employment requirements, including drug screening, background check, and coding assessment.
Ability to comply with UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy.

Nice To Haves

At least 2 years of outpatient facility coding experience.
Experience working in a Level 1 Trauma Center.
Experience with OSHPD reporting.
Experience with encoder systems such as eCAC, 3M, or EPIC.
Ability to use a personal computer in a Windows environment, including Microsoft Excel to create, edit, save, and send spreadsheets, and to use EMR systems.
Previous success working remotely.

Responsibilities

Assign appropriate ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS codes for inpatient hospital services, considering DRG impact and CC/MCC status and following official and facility coding guidelines.
Abstract additional data elements during chart review as needed.
Follow coding ethical standards established by AAPC and/or AHIMA.
Meet and maintain Optum360 coding quality and productivity standards.
Provide documentation feedback to providers and query physicians when appropriate.
Maintain current coding knowledge by reviewing materials recommended or distributed by coding and quality management leaders.
Participate in coding department meetings and educational events.
Track charts coded, held, and/or missing.