MEDICAL CODER - Trauma Trust, a non-profit organization located in Tacoma General Hospital is currently seeking and experienced and certified coder. 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Medical Coder is responsible for providing technical and administrative expertise for timely and accurate billing for patient specialty services, and for assuring that all charging and coding is complete, accurate and meet regulatory requirements.  This is an intermediate level position working under very limited supervision.  Work situations are routine and require a service-oriented individual, with skills in problem resolution, accuracy, organization, and attention to detail.  Decision-making is required within the scope of the position responsibilities. 

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

      -   Develops audit system to monitor coding and chart documentation for unbundling services or codes that do not conform to approved CPT Coding principle/guidelines and ICD-9-CM for medical necessity

      -   Assures accurate and complete capture of required abstracted data from each episode of treatment

      -   Coordinates and updates encounter forms (fee sheet and/or super bill) for clinical services including review of encounter forms both in the development and the daily use state. 

      -   Locates and correctly sequences procedure codes for all service to include checking for potential areas to improve reimbursement during encounter services

      -   Periodically performs analysis of hospital and outpatient reports to identify areas of medical record that contain incomplete, inaccurate or inconsistent documentation

      -   Codes complicated medical records having diagnostic and therapeutic procedures that are difficult to classify

      -   Researches new diagnostic and procedural code(s) utilizing the CPT-4, ICD-9-CM and HCPCS codes and make changes when necessary to existing codes

      -   Identifies and assigns principal diagnosis and procedure code(s) for out patient care services

      -    Performs billing functions, assuring the accuracy of all billing transactions

·         Checks superbills for completeness by physician, laboratory, and nursing departments and prepares for computer entry by noting CPT and ICDM-9 codes

·         Consults with physicians and staff on assigning appropriate codes for procedures, diagnosis, and level of service.

·         Assesses and inputs data into multiple computer systems to include posting charges, correcting charges, correcting demographic information, and changing status

·         Keys Medicare electronic billing

·         Mails out all primary and selected secondary insurance billing

·         Researches unpaid or denied claims to determine if claim needs to be rebilled and make any necessary revisions or corrections and rebills as necessary

   -    Researches and resolves problems/patient queries related to charges and payments on statements

      -  Prepares and logs third party requests for information

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

-         Knowledge of medical terminology, medical coding principals, ICDM-9 and CPT coding

-         Knowledge of and skill in the use of a computer and related systems and software to include Office 97

-         Skill and proficiency in oral and written communication

-          Skill in time management and organization skills

-         Ability to work under the pressure of deadlines and frequent interruptions, completing assignments daily unless a longer turnaround time is specified

-         Ability to relate well with hospital staff, medical staff, and the public, exhibiting a positive and cooperative outlook towards his/her position, the organization and fellow employees

-         Ability to work efficiently under pressure

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

-      High school graduate or equivalent

-      Post high school medical office procedures course work/training preferred

-      Two - Five years medical office experience

-      Certified Coding Specialist Professional (CCSP) preferred