Specialty Coder Senior - Business Office

CHRISTUS Health•San Antonio, TX

1d•Remote

About The Position

Selected by CHRISTUS Health Coding Leadership, the Specialty Coder Senior focuses coding expertise on designated high-dollar or specialty inpatient or outpatient account types. The role maintains current, high-quality ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, and/or CPT coding for diagnoses and procedures by reviewing clinical documentation and diagnostic results, with a consistent coding accuracy rate of 95% or better. The coder abstracts data into appropriate CHRISTUS Health electronic medical record systems and verifies patient dispositions and physician data while following official coding guidelines. The position works collaboratively with departments including Health Information Management (HIM) and Clinical Documentation Specialists to support accurate and complete physician documentation, accurate billing, and reduced denials. The coder may also assist in other departmental areas as requested by leadership. The role reports directly to the Regional Coding Manager, with additional leadership from the Director of Coding Operations and System HIM Director.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent years of experience.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently in a remote setting with little supervision.

Nice To Haves

Completion of an accredited baccalaureate program in Health Informatics or Health Information Management, or an AHIMA-approved Coding Certificate Program.
1–3 years of experience.

Responsibilities

Meet the expectations of the applicable OneCHRISTUS Competencies: Leader of Self, Leader of Others, or Leader of Leaders.
Assign diagnosis, treatment, and procedure codes according to the ICD-10-CM/PCS Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, reviewing critical documentation to generate the appropriate MS/APR DRG.
Abstract required information from source documentation into the appropriate CHRISTUS Health electronic medical record system.
Validate admit orders and discharge dispositions.
Work from the assigned coding queue, completing and reassigning accounts correctly.
Manage accounts on ABS Hold and finalize them promptly after corrections are made.
Meet or exceed a 95% coding accuracy rate and the designated CHRISTUS Health productivity standard for each chart type.
Follow AHIMA Standards of Ethical Coding.
Assist in implementing solutions to reduce backend errors.
Identify and appropriately report hospital-acquired conditions (HAC).
Query providers for missing or unclear documentation, working with HIM and Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists.
Participate in internal and external audit discussions.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Manager.