Emergency Department Coder

Be a part of a world-class academic health-care system at UChicago Medicine as an Emergency Department Coder in the Medical Records department. This is a remote, work from home opportunity and you may be based outside of the greater Chicagoland area. 

In this role, the Emergency Department Coder, under general direction, is responsible for coding and abstracting of diagnoses and charging for procedures from emergency department medical records for optimal and timely reimbursement and quality reporting.

Essential Job Functions

• Assigns ICD-10-CM codes, and CPT/HCPCS codes for emergency department medical record accounts, including but not limited to diagnoses, facility level evaluation & management (E/M) charges, infusion/injection charges, and additional bedside procedure charges 
• Abstracts key data elements required for billing, regulatory agencies, and other databases
• Reviews records for clinical pertinence and documentation to support accurate facility-based charges for services performed during the encounter
• Communicates with providers for clarification of documentation to ensure appropriate assignment of diagnoses, procedures, and/or facility evaluation/management (E/M) levels
• Reviews and resolves claim edits related to emergency department encounters to ensure compliant billing, including but not limited to medical necessity and NCCI/CCI edits   
• Assists with resolution of simple visit coding errors related to other outpatient visits as needed  
• Performs qualitative analysis of records in accordance with regulatory standards and coding requirements using CPT/HCPCS and ICD-10-CM guidelines
• Meets the minimum acceptable standards for productivity and quality
• Maintains Continuing Education credits in accordance with the American Health Information Management Association's and/or American Academy of Professional Coder’s requirements based upon certification(s)
• Demonstrates courtesy and professionalism through interaction, appearance, attitude, and written and oral communications with visitors, co-workers, physicians, and other hospital personnel as to represent the Medical Records Services as a high-quality service area of the Hospitals
• Maintains patient confidentiality as required by Hospitals/departmental policy and industry/legal standards
• Acknowledges and supports Hospitals defined goals and approach to patient care; attends regular training sessions to improve patient and customer communications
• Keeps work area neat and clean; properly cares for equipment
• Performs other related tasks as may be deemed necessary for the effective and efficient function of the Medical Records areas

• Performs other duties assigned

Required Qualifications 

• Certification as a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), Certified Emergency Department Coder (CEDC), Certified Outpatient Coding (COC), Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Coding Specialist Physician Based (CCS-P) or Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) 
• If incumbent is eligible for certification, it must be achieved within a year of hire date
• Skill in prioritizing and performing a variety of duties within a system that has frequently changing assignments, priorities, and deadlines 
• Good verbal and written communication skills 
• Ability to impart knowledge of procedures and techniques
• Thorough working knowledge of ICD-10-CM and CPT coding systems, and federal/state regulations regarding reimbursement
• Thorough working knowledge of the hospital information system, electronic medical record systems, and encoder 
• Working knowledge of standards for chart completion
• Working knowledge of medical-legal rules and regulations that govern the confidentiality and release of medical information with the ability to interpret and implement the standards
• Must maintain total confidentiality of all patient records
• PC experience 

Position Details

• Job Type/FTE: Full-Time 
• Shift: Days
• Work Location: Remote
• Unit/Department: Health Information Management
• CBA Code: 743 Clerical