Coding Specialist I, PB Coding, Full-time, Days (Remote - Must reside in IL, IN, IA, or WI)

The salary range for this position is $25.25 - $34.09 (Hourly Rate)

Placement within the salary range is dependent on several factors such as relevant work experience and internal equity. For positions represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range is guided by the rules outlined in the collective bargaining agreement.

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section located at jobs.nm.org/benefits to learn more.

Northwestern Medicine is powered by a community of colleagues who are purpose-driven and committed to our mission to deliver world-class care. Here, you'll work alongside some of the best clinical talent in the nation leading the way in medical innovation and breakthrough research with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

We recognize where you've been, and we support where you're headed. We celebrate diverse perspectives and experiences, which fuel our commitment to equity and culture of service.

Grow your career with comprehensive training and development opportunities, mentorship programs, educational support and student loan repayment.

Create the life you envision for yourself with flexible work options, a Reimbursable Well-Being Fund and a Total Rewards package that support your physical, mental, emotional, and financial well-being.

Make a difference through volunteer opportunities we offer in local communities and drive inclusive change through our workforce-led resource groups.

From discovery to delivery, come help us shape the future of medicine.

Remote work from Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Missouri, Iowa, or Ohio

Description

The Coding Specialist reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Coding Specialist performs Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and International Classification of Diseases, volume 9 (ICD9) coding through abstraction of the medical record. This position trains physicians and other staff regarding documentation, billing and coding, and performs various administrative and clerical duties to support the role’s core function.

Responsibilities:

• Abstracts and codes physician professional services and diagnosis codes (inpatient admissions, outpatient procedures, diagnostic services).
• Assigns appropriate CPT and ICD9 codes.
• Completes coding and billing worksheet.
• Ensures charges are captured by performing various reconciliations (procedure schedules, clinical system reports, fatal edit reports).
• Provides documentation feedback to physicians.
• Maintains coding reference information.
• Trains physicians and other staff regarding documentation, billing and coding.
• Reviews and communicates new or revised billing and coding guidelines and information.
• Attends meetings and roundtable, communicates pertinent information to physicians and staff.
• Resolves pre-accounts receivable edits, monitors reasons for missed billing opportunities, maintains non-compliance logs, identifies repetitive problems, works with physicians to resolve.
• Deletes incorrectly billed services, adds missing unbilled services, provides missing data as appropriate, corrects CPT and ICD9 codes and modifiers.
• Drafts letters and coordinates appeals.
• Works with Revenue Cycle staff and Account Inquiry Unit staff as requested, assists in obtaining documentation (operative reports, etc.).
• Provides invoice disposition instruction.
• Provides additional code and modifier information.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Competencies/Performance Expectations:

• Please refer to NMHC Performance Standard Competencies.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge, understands, and implements coding rule updates.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with patients, physicians, management, staff and other customers.
• Demonstrated customer service skills, including the ability to use appropriate judgment, independent thinking and creativity when resolving customer issues.
• Ability to effectively handle challenging situations.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to use personal computers and select software applications.
• Ability to analyze data for decision making purposes.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office, Outlook and database entry.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
• Ability to adapt to changes in work environment, delays or unexpected events.
• Demonstrates attention to detail and monitors own work for accuracy.

Qualifications

Required:

• Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) or Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification or Certified Coding Specialist (CCS).
• Zero (0) to two (2) years’ experience in a relevant role.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree or Associate’s degree in a Health Information Management program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
• Previous experience with physician coding.

Equal Opportunity

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

If we offer you a job, we will perform a background check that includes a review of any criminal convictions. A conviction does not disqualify you from employment at Northwestern Medicine. We consider this on a case-by-case basis and follow all state and federal guidelines.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.