Surgical Coding Denial Specialist

University of Colorado Medicine (CU Medicine) is the region’s largest and most comprehensive multi-specialty physician group practice. The CU Medicine team delivers business operations, revenue cycle and administrative services to support the patients of over 4,000 University of Colorado School of Medicine physicians and advanced practice providers. These providers bring their unparalleled expertise at the forefront of medicine to deliver trusted, compassionate health care services at primary and specialty care clinics as well as facilities operated by affiliate hospitals of the University of Colorado.

We are seeking a detail-oriented and highly motivated Surgical Coding Denial Specialist to join our AR Surgery team. This role plays a critical part in protecting and optimizing revenue for CU Medicine providers by ensuring surgical claims are accurately reviewed, appealed, and resolved.

This position offers the flexibility of being 100% remote, and qualified out-of-state candidates are encouraged to apply.

As a Surgical Coding Denial Specialist, you will take ownership of resolving insurance claim denials for assigned surgical specialty departments. Using your deep knowledge of coding, contracts, and payer policies, you will craft clear, persuasive appeals and conduct thorough investigations to support successful claim resolution. This role requires independent judgment, analytical thinking, and a strong understanding of orthopedic and surgical billing practices.

Essential Duties:

• Review and appeal denied surgical claims through detailed coding, contract, and medical record analysis

• Develop well-researched, effective written appeals in compliance with payer-specific guidelines

• Manage complex and high-dollar denied claims with a high level of accuracy and accountability

• Identify denial trends and recurring issues, proactively recommending solutions to reduce future denials

• Communicate denial patterns and payer policy changes to leadership and team members

• Prioritize and manage a high volume of denials while maintaining exceptional quality standards

• Serve as an escalation resource for challenging or unresolved denial issues

• Support onboarding and training of new team members, as assigned

• Collaborate with colleagues on special projects and process improvement initiatives

Requirements: 

• 3–5 years of experience in medical practice billing, including denials, appeals, insurance collections, and follow-up

• Strong working knowledge of ICD-10 and CPT coding; CPC certification highly preferred

• Orthopedic and surgical billing experience strongly preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field strongly preferred

• Proven ability to interpret and apply payer contracts and denial appeal logic

• Intermediate proficiency with PC software systems

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present clear and compelling appeal arguments

• Ability to work independently while managing complex accounts and deadlines

All applications MUST be submitted via our website. In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

CU Medicine is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

CU Medicine is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our staff and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees prior to their employment.

The listed pay range (or hiring rate) represents CU Medicine’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting and is based on evaluation of competitive market data.

A variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, and education will be considered when determining the final offer.

CU Medicine provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions which take your total compensation beyond the number on your paycheck.  Find information about our benefits here.

CU Medicine will post all jobs for a minimum of 7 days or until 250+ applicants have been received (whichever comes first).

CU Medicine supports a Tobacco Free Workplace Environment which prohibits smoking and the use of tobacco products on CU Medicine property, Anschutz Medical Campus and adjacent business locations.