Abstractor Coder II

Department

BSD UCP - Professional Billing Coding - Medical Specialty

About the Department

The Biological Sciences Division (BSD) and the University of Chicago Medical Center (UCMC) are managed by a single Dean/Executive Vice President and comprises the largest unit of the University, accounting for 60% of its annual budget. All physician, hospital, and clinic services are managed through the Medical Center, which is a $1.3 billion enterprise. The BSD includes the Pritzker School of Medicine, approximately 20 academic units, degree granting committees, and research centers and institutes. The BSD is located on the University's main campus in Hyde Park, ten minutes south of downtown Chicago. BSD's patient care operations are conducted primarily at the University of Chicago Hospital and clinics, which share the same campus. The University of Chicago Practice Plan (UCPP) is the central organization that supports the clinical activity of nearly 850 clinically active faculty practicing at the University of Chicago. These clinically active faculty collectively form the University of Chicago Physicians Group (UCPG). The University of Chicago Physicians' Group (UCPG) is a component of the physician practice plan for the University of Chicago. The UCPG department provides billing services for medical services provided by University physicians and manages the accounts receivable collection and reporting processes for the Biological Sciences Division (BSD) departments. Each physician is a faculty member and is based in a specified department in the BSD.

Job Information

Job Summary:

The Abstractor/Coder II performs complex, specialty-specific coding in support of orthopedic practices across multiple locations. This role applies advanced knowledge of CPT, ICD-10, and HCPCS coding systems, along with payer and regulatory requirements, to ensure accurate, compliant charge capture and documentation.

Working with minimal supervision, the Abstractor/Coder II codes highly complex services, resolves coding edits, denials, and rejections, and partners with providers to improve documentation and optimize reimbursement. The role serves as a subject matter expert to clinical staff and supports revenue integrity through issue resolution and education.

This position also contributes to quality and compliance efforts by identifying coding trends and risks, conducting reviews, and supporting training initiatives. The Abstractor/Coder II mentors less experienced coders and adheres to all HIPAA and organizational standards.

Responsibilities:

• Maintains an expert level of knowledge of CPT, ICD-10 and HCPCS coding principles, modifier usage, medical terminology, HIPAA compliance, governmental regulations and third-party payer requirements pertaining to billing, coding and documentation.

• Codes highly complex services in orthopedic specialty, maintaining departmental standards for productivity and accuracy.

• Works under minimal supervision using specialized expertise in the subject matter.

• Ensures all services documented in the patient’s medical record are coded with appropriate diagnoses and procedure codes. When services are not documented appropriately, seeks to attain proper documentation in a timely manner based upon established protocols.

• Researches and resolves coding related system edits, payer rejections, and insurance denials.

• Acts as a knowledge resource to clinical staff in billing code matters. Provides feedback to providers on how to improve documentation and charge capture to ensure revenue optimization.

• Identifies risk areas and error trends for providers, procedures, facilities and/or coders.

• Understands HIPPA regulations, treats all patient information and data with complete confidentiality and takes all precaution to secure this information.

• Escalates issues as appropriate (e.g., to Director of Revenue or Compliance Office).

• Serves as a mentor and trainer to less experienced coders and answers questions as needed.

• Works with Director or Associate Director to implement training plans for new coders and coders learning new specialties.  

• Performs quality reviews.

• Other duties as assigned.

Competencies:

• Ability to work well with other members of the coding and billing team to ensure maximum efficiency and reimbursement of properly documented services.

• Ability to communicate in a professional and collaborative manner.

• Maintain calm and courteous demeanor while working with less experienced staff.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced department and handle multiple tasks.

Additional Responsibilities

Education, Experience, or Certifications:

Education:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.

• Associates or Bachelors degree preferred.

Experience:

• 5 years of coding experience with 3 or more years coding highly complex services in area of specialty required.   

• 4 years of experience coding physician services or a recent graduate from an HIM bachelors program with an RHIA required.

• Prior experience with electronic billing and medical record systems (i.e. Epic, Last Word, and IDX) is required.

• Prior experience in an academic medical center or large, complex hospital-physician billing group preferred.

• Prior experience working with Medicine primary and sub-specialty physician and procedure coding strongly preferred.

• Prior experience with Epic Professional Billing preferred.

• Prior experience coding in an academic medical center setting preferred.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Must have one of the following: Registered Health Information Administrator [RHIA], Registered Health Information Technician [RHIT], Certified Coding Specialist-Physician-based [CCS-P], Certified Professional Coder [CPC], or Certified Coding Specialist [CCS]), required.

• Specialty certification preferred.

Technical Knowledge or Skills:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite required.

• Knowledge and experience of billing and coding practices required.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• Standard Office Environment: Remote.

• Use Standard Office Equipment.

• Sit for 4 hours or more.

• Flexible work arrangements, including remote work options for coders in good standing.

Pay Range:

• $29.97 - $45.59 hourly

Required Documents:

• Resume

• Cover Letter

Yes

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Pay Range

$29.97 - $45.59

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Union

024- Local 743, I.B.T. Clerical

Job is Exempt

No

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Posting Date

2026-04-14

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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