Outpatient Coder I, HB Coding, Full-time, Days (Remote - Must reside in IL, IN, IA, WI, OH, MO, MI, or FL - Sign-on bonus eligible)

The salary range for this position is $25.53 - $35.74 (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 Outpatient Coder I 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. Follows ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, Coding Clinics, interprets ICD-10-CM coding conventions and instructional notes to select appropriate diagnoses.   

An Outpatient Coder I is a coding and reimbursement expert in ICD-10-CM diagnosis coding with a focus on outpatient encounters for endoscopy lab, interventional radiology, heart catheterization lab, and outpatient clinic types.  Coding diagnosis from valid paper/electronic orders and provider reports.   Should have expertise with HCPC Level I, II, CPT codes and national standard modifiers.

Responsibilities:

• Utilizes technical coding expertise to assign appropriate ICD-10-CM and/or CPT-4 codes to outpatient visit types when patient is seen by a provider.  Reviews the medical record thoroughly, utilizing all available documentation to code appropriate diagnoses and procedures
• Critical thinking demonstrated by correctly identifying issues and following processes when unable to complete coding on an account. (ADT edits, physician query for clarification of documentation, and missing documentation)
• Interprets health record documentation using knowledge of anatomy, physiology, clinical disease process, pharmacology, and medical terminology to report appropriate diagnoses and/or procedures.
• Follows Coding Clinic for HCPCs, CPT Assistant, and interprets coding conventions and instructional notes to select appropriate diagnoses and procedures with a minimum of 95% accuracy 
• Focus of anatomy on GI, cardiac catheterization lab, interventional radiology, outpatient diagnostics and procedures, physician order/requisition documentation
• Resolves specific Chargemaster NCCI or other outpatient edit claim failures as assigned
• Utilizes 3M Encoder resources to ensure optimal coding accuracy
• Articulates rationale for coding selections when necessary, i.e. prompted by results of data quality audit
• Meets established minimum coding productivity (90%) and quality standards (95%) for each outpatient encounter type

Qualifications

Required:

• Credentialed by the AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association) or AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders)
• CE requirement to remain credentialed is 20-30 CE's every two years
• RHIT, RHIA, CCS or COC credentialed
• 2 years of related work experience in an Acute care setting

Preferred:

• 3 years of undergraduate education or equivalent

Equal Opportunity

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) 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.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check.  Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. 

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.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.