Medical Coder

Inpatient Medical Coder II

Boston Medical Center (BMC) is more than a hospital. Its a network of support and care that touches the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in need each year. It is the largest and busiest provider of trauma and emergency services in New England. Emphasizing community-based care BMC is committed to providing consistently excellent and accessible health services to alland is the largest safety-net hospital in New England. The hospital is also the primary teaching affiliate of the nationally ranked Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and a founding partner of Boston HealthNet an integrated health care delivery systems that includes many community health centers. Join BMC today and help us achieve our Vision 2030 which is a long-term goal to make Boston the healthiest urban population in the world.

Position: Inpatient Medical Coder II

Department: Clinical Documentation

Schedule: Full Time

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Assigns appropriate codes to reflect all diagnoses and procedures extrapolated from physician and appropriate provider documentation during a patient encounter according to the most current coding methodologies including ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS resulting in appropriate reimbursement.
• Abstracts required data to input into the Medical Center's computerized data base.
• Converts all patient visits and encounters into appropriate DRG (Diagnosis-related group) MSDRG APR DRG assignments in order to correctly submit the optimal reimbursement for each patient encounter coded.
• Reviews patient medical records and abstracts medical data that identifies all diagnoses and procedures.
• Codes diagnoses procedures and appropriate modifiers from the medical record documentation using ICD-10-CM/PCS CPT-4/HCPCS classification systems.
• Refers to a computerized encoding system written coding aids and other reference materials to ensure accurate coding for billing.
• Sequences diagnoses procedures and complications by following ICD-10-CM/PCS CPT-4 the Uniform Hospital Discharge Data Set (UHDDS) adheres to the Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting Coding Clinic guidelines and other regulatory guidelines as appropriate.
• Consults with the CDCI team to request appropriate physician or appropriate medical staff to clarify medical record information.
• Assigns grouper codes to each record according to patient type and financial class (DRG ASC APG etc.).
• Enters coded/abstracted information in grouper analyzes groupings and assigns the appropriate grouper for appropriate and accurate reimbursement.
• Data enters abstracted information into the Medical Center's computerized database.
• Assists the clinical documentation specialists in medical record documentation auditing as needed.
• Maintains accuracy rate of 95 or better.
• Maintains productivity standards set forth in Departmental Policies and procedures.
• Contacts Medical Records departments to track missing records so that all records can be billed.
• Maintains professional skills and knowledge of coding through attendance at in-service programs conferences workshops and other educational programs and review of current literature.
• Utilizes hospitals behavioral standards as the basis for decision making and to facilitate the hospitals goals and mission.
• Follows established Hospital infection control and safety procedures.
• Performs other duties as needed.

Job Requirements:

Education: Level of knowledge equivalent to that ordinarily acquired through completion of an Associate's Degree in Health Information Medical Records or similar program. An equivalent combination of education and experience which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility may be substituted for the stated education and experience requirements.

Experience: 3 years inpatient coding experience in a Level 1 Trauma Teaching Facility

Certifications Licenses & Registrations:

Preferred: Certified Coding Specialist

Requires inpatient CCS RHIT or RHIA credentials from AHIM

ACS coding credential requires inpatient coding experience before taking exam RHIT and RHIA must have associates and bachelors degree respectively before taking exam

Knowledge and Skills:

Work requires in-depth knowledge of medical terminology ICD-10-CM/PCS and CPT-4 Coding conventions and knowledge of the various DRG systems (CMS DRGs AP-DRG and APR-DRGs). Work also requires basic concepts of human anatomy physiology and pathology. Experience with ICD-10-CM/PCS for diagnoses and procedures. Strong knowledge of health records computer systems Microsoft applications data integrity and processing techniques required. Excellent organizational skills including ability to multi-task prioritize essential tasks follow-through and meet timelines. Ability to work with accuracy and attention to detail. Ability to solve problems appropriately using job knowledge and current policies/procedures. Ability to work cooperatively with members of the healthcare delivery team and staff ability to handle frequent interruptions and adapt to changes in workload and work schedule and to respond quickly to urgent requests. Must be able to maintain strict confidentiality of all personal/health sensitive information and ensure compliance of HIPAA rules and regulations.

Compensation Range: 29.13- 39.20

This range offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications. However our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive and a broad range of factors is considered when making an offer. This includes education experience and licensure/certifications directly related to position requirements. In addition BMCHS offers generous total compensation that includes but is not limited to benefits (medical dental vision pharmacy) contract increases Flexible Spending Accounts 403(b) savings matches earned time cash out paid time off career advancement opportunities and resources to support employee and family wellbeing.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans

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