Coding Specialist I, PB Coding, Full-time, Days (Remote - Must reside in IL, IN, IA, WI, OH, MO, MI, or FL)

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

The Coding Specialist reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Coding Specialist performs Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and International Classification of Diseases, volume 9 (ICD9) coding through abstraction of the medical record. This position trains physicians and other staff regarding documentation, billing and coding, and performs various administrative and clerical duties to support the role’s core function.

Responsibilities:

• Abstracts and codes physician professional services and diagnosis codes (inpatient admissions, outpatient procedures, diagnostic services).
• Assigns appropriate CPT and ICD9 codes.
• Completes coding and billing worksheet.
• Ensures charges are captured by performing various reconciliations (procedure schedules, clinical system reports, fatal edit reports).
• Provides documentation feedback to physicians.
• Maintains coding reference information.
• Trains physicians and other staff regarding documentation, billing and coding.
• Reviews and communicates new or revised billing and coding guidelines and information.
• Attends meetings and roundtable, communicates pertinent information to physicians and staff.
• Resolves pre-accounts receivable edits, monitors reasons for missed billing opportunities, maintains non-compliance logs, identifies repetitive problems, works with physicians to resolve.
• Deletes incorrectly billed services, adds missing unbilled services, provides missing data as appropriate, corrects CPT and ICD9 codes and modifiers.
• Drafts letters and coordinates appeals.
• Works with Revenue Cycle staff and Account Inquiry Unit staff as requested, assists in obtaining documentation (operative reports, etc.).
• Provides invoice disposition instruction.
• Provides additional code and modifier information.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Competencies/Performance Expectations:

• Please refer to NMHC Performance Standard Competencies.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge, understands, and implements coding rule updates.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with patients, physicians, management, staff and other customers.
• Demonstrated customer service skills, including the ability to use appropriate judgment, independent thinking and creativity when resolving customer issues.
• Ability to effectively handle challenging situations.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to use personal computers and select software applications.
• Ability to analyze data for decision making purposes.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office, Outlook and database entry.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
• Ability to adapt to changes in work environment, delays or unexpected events.
• Demonstrates attention to detail and monitors own work for accuracy.

Required:

• Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) or Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification or Certified Coding Specialist (CCS).
• Zero (0) to two (2) years’ experience in a relevant role.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree or Associate’s degree in a Health Information Management program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
• Previous experience with physician coding.

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check.  Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. 

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.