We've made a lot of progress since opening the doors in 1942, but one thing has never changed - our commitment to serve, heal, lead, educate, and innovate. We believe that every award earned, every record broken and every patient helped is because of the dedicated employees who fill our hallways.
At Ochsner, whether you work with patients every day or support those who do, you are making a difference and that matters. Come make a difference at Ochsner Health and discover your future today!
Job Overview
This position reviews and accurately codes and abstracts hospital services, inpatient procedures, overnight/multi‑night stay services or complex professional medical services. The coder applies appropriate coding guidelines to assign ICD and CPT codes, conforming to Medicare, Medicaid, and third‑party payer requirements to ensure accurate reimbursement. In the inpatient setting, the coder collaborates with the Clinical Documentation Improvement team to ensure accurate DRG assignment and works closely with management to resolve problems and meet deadlines. In the professional setting, the coder works with providers and educators to assign the most accurate ICD/CPT codes, researches patient accounts to address questions or errors, and monitors coding rules, regulations and best practices.
Education
Required – High School diploma or equivalent
Preferred – Completion of an American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) or American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC) coding program with certification
Work Experience
Required – 3 years of coding experience
Certifications
Hospital Coder
Required – Certification as a Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC), Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), or a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)
Professional Coder
Required – Certification as a Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Preferred – American Association of Professional Coders specialty certification
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
Effective verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present information clearly and professionally to varying levels of individuals throughout the patient care process.
Computer skills and dexterity required for data entry and retrieval of information.
Proficiency with Windows‑style applications, various software packages specific to the role, and keyboard usage.
Knowledge of ICD‑9‑CM, ICD‑10, CPT, HCPCS and coding principles.
Excellent decision making, problem solving, analytical and quality management skills.
Job Duties
Accurately assigns ICD‑10, CPT and/or HCPCS codes as applicable and within the established coding guidelines, rules and regulations. Types of coding include professional medical coding, surgical coding and/or reviewing evaluation and management codes for complex clinical visits and/or inpatient professional visits of a complex nature; inpatient coding of diagnoses and PCS procedures for concurrent accounts and discharged accounts of a non‑complex nature; and single path coding.
Ensures the data integrity of coded patient records by reviewing medical documentation and validating that documentation is sufficient to support the assigned codes.
Acts as a resource by researching patient accounts in response to questions and/or errors.
Consistently complies with established department productivity and accuracy standards.
Collaborates with assigned areas to identify query opportunities for documentation improvement.
Communicates with providers for clarification or requests additional documentation as needed.
Works in collaboration with team members and other departments to meet departmental monthly goals, which may include DNFB, Pre‑AR, denials and claim edits.
Verifies correct discharge disposition based on medical documentation.
Performs other related duties as required.
Remains knowledgeable on current federal, state and local laws, accreditation standards or regulatory agency requirements that apply to the assigned area of responsibility and ensures compliance with all such laws, regulations and standards.
The employer maintains and complies with its Compliance & Privacy Program and Standards of Conduct, including the immediate reporting of any known or suspected unethical or questionable behaviors or conduct; patient/employee safety, patient privacy, and other compliance‑related concerns.
The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.
Physical and Environmental Demands
Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly. The job requires walking or standing to a significant degree and may involve pushing or pulling of materials. No exposure to blood, body fluids or tissue, and no occupational risk for exposure to communicable diseases.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any legally protected class, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
#J-18808-Ljbffr