Long Term Acute Care (LTACH) Medical Coder (Remote) | PAM Health Corporate

Long Term Acute Care (LTACH) Medical Coder - Remote

Coding Duties

Long Term Acute Care Hospitals (LTACH)

1. Admission Coding – codes all inpatient records within 48 hours of admission (unless record is not available or critical pieces of documentation are not available) following ICD-10-CM coding guidelines with 90% accuracy.
2. Concurrent Coding – reviews physician documentation and adds additional ICD-10 codes as necessary for all inpatient records weekly (unless documentation is not available or critical pieces of documentation are not available) following ICD-10-CM coding guidelines with 90% accuracy.
3. Discharge Coding - codes all inpatient records within 5 days of discharge (unless record is not available or critical pieces of documentation are not available) following ICD-10-CM guidelines with 90% accuracy.

Ancillary and Wound Care Services

1. If applicable, codes all outpatient records by the third day after discharge according to ICD-10-CM and CPT guidelines with 90% accuracy, to include Ancillary and Wound Care services.

All Record Types

1. Query Medical staff and midlevel providers when code assignments are not straightforward or documentation in the medical record is conflicting, ambiguous, inadequate, incomplete or unclear for coding purposes. Keep medical providers informed of pertinent documentation changes that reflect accurate code assignment. 
2. Continuously evaluates the quality of clinical documentation to spot incomplete or inconsistent documentation for inpatient encounters that impact the code selection and resulting DRG groups and payment. Brings identified concerns to HIM Director(s) and Case Manager(s).
3. Performs necessary investigations/actions to assure the account will drop into the billing system without any problems. Informs Director of any unusual circumstances that could delay coding/billing process. 
4. Utilizes 3M coding software/encoder application along with HMS MedHost to assist in accurate coding and clean claims processing. Assures all codes assigned are supported by physician documentation within the medical record. 
5. Monitors the billing error report to ensure all accounts are dropped timely and accurately. Communicates all potential billing delays or unusual findings with the HIM Director. 
6. Abides by the Standards of Ethical Coding as set forth by the American Health Information Management Association.
7. Abstracts designated fields for physician information to assure physician index reports reflect actual activity. Informs Director of any new physician activity. 
8. Abstracts other demographic or special study information according to procedure.
9. Works closely with the HIM Director/Business Office regarding billing discrepancies/denied claims pertaining to diagnosis and procedure codes.
10. Attends in-services and educational seminars. Stays informed and current with coding trends, coding rules and guidelines.
11. Cross-trains to assist with LTACH, Ancillary, Wound Care coding along with any additional coding needed.
12. Provides training to new employees.
13. Performs special projects as needed per the HIM Director.
14. Covers other HIM-related tasks as assigned by HIM Director or Administrator.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Training:

1. High school diploma or its equivalent is required.
2. Coding, medical terminology, Anatomy/Physiology courses preferred.
3. Certification as one of the following is preferred;
4. Certified Medicare National Correct Coding Initiative (CCI)
5. Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
6. Certified Coding Specialist-Physician based (CCS-P)
7. Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
8. Certified Professional Coder Apprentice (CPC-A)
9. Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS)
10. Certified Coding Associate required (CCA)
11. Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)
12. Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)
13. Registered Nurse (RN) with ICD-9-CM coding background
14. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) with ICD-10-CM coding background
15. Experience as a Coder and currently pursuing any of the above listed credentials will be considered.

Experience:

Minimum of two (2) years experience as a LTAC coder.

1. Knowledge of ICD-10-CM / CPT coding skill, disease processes, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology and laboratory terminology in order to code accurately.
2. Ability to stay abreast of coding changes/ICD-10-CM Official Conventions along with Official ICD-10-CM / CPT Guidelines for Coding and Reporting.
3. Ability to assign ICD-10-CM