Coder (Medical Coding)

Job Summary

Health information coding is the transformation of verbal descriptions of diseases, injuries, and procedures into numeric or alphanumeric designations. The coding process reviews and analyzes health records to identify relevant diagnoses and procedures for distinct patient encounters. Coders are responsible for translating diagnostic and procedural phrases utilized by healthcare providers into coded form procedure codes that can be utilized for submitting claims to payers for reimbursement. A joint effort between the healthcare provider and the coder is essential to achieve complete and accurate documentation, code assignment, and reporting of diagnoses and procedures.

Job Duties

+ Reviews the content of the medical record for hospital and professional inpatient or outpatient records to identify principal diagnosis, secondary diagnoses and procedures performed that explain the reason for service being provided or the admission and patient severity and comply with standard provider coding regulations.

+ Carefully details review of documents such as laboratory findings, radiology reports, various scan reports, discharge summary, history and physical, consultations, orders, progress notes and other ancillary services treatment records needed to ensure all pertinent diagnoses and procedures are recorded.

+ Translates all diagnostic and procedural phrases utilized by healthcare providers into coded form using procedure codes as required.

+ Using the Encoder software program, determines the codes for all diagnoses and procedures.

+ Determines their sequencing to legally maximize reimbursement.

+ Assigns the appropriate DRG.

+ Assigns codes based on hospital and professional coding guidelines, Coding Clinic directives, federal regulations, CCI coding initiatives, CPT Assistant or other standard coding guidelines Queries physicians as needed to clarify documentation within the patient?s record to facilitate complete and accurate coding.

+ Reviews coding guidelines on an annual basis and makes recommendations for change to improve coding and data management.

+ Communicates to Coding Quality and Professional Manager any new diagnoses, procedures, technologies, etc.

+ documented within patient records to ensure that appropriate diagnosis and procedure codes are selected and incorporated into hospital and professional coding guidelines.

+ Updates and corrects historical file data by completing and submitting claim action reports per the PHC4 quarterly report.

Work is typically performed in an office environment. Accountable for satisfying all job specific obligations and complying with all organization policies and procedures. The specific statements in this profile are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements considered necessary to successfully perform the job.

This posting reflects an opening for Coder I and we are seeking candidates for that position. Geisinger reserves the right to consider applicants for higher levels of this role based on their skills, qualifications, and experience. We encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

Position Details

Coder I - Medical Billing and Coding Diploma required

Coder II and above - minimum of one Certification required:

Certified Professional Coder - AAPC

Certified Risk Adjustment Coder - AAPC

Registered Health Information Technician - AHIMA

Internet requirements:

? Employee required to have/supply: Cable modem, (high speed, only - No DSL or Wireless Cellular Service or Satellite Service) The minimum requirement is:

+ ?25 MBPS UP

+ ?75 MBPS DOWN

+ ?