Hospital Based Inpatient Coder III

Utilizing an electronic medical record and computerized encoder, assigns and sequences diagnosis and procedure codes and present on admission indicators for inpatient encounters based on medical record documentation in accordance with Official Coding Guidelines, CMS regulations, encoder software guidance and Health Information Management (HIM) policies and procedures.

Maintains strict adherence to patient confidentiality according to MHS Standards and regulatory requirements.

Formulates physician queries for validation of pathological findings. Requests clinical validation queries for Clinical Documentation Integrity (CDI) review and follow-up. Seeks clarification from providers or other designated resources to ensure accurate and complete coding.

Attends educational meetings and seminars to maintain certification and continuing education requirements.

Reviews appropriate inpatient coding work queues daily to address coding edits and needed corrections and follows procedure to notify billing as needed. Reviews accounts and performs needed correction for internal audits and external denials.

Reviews inpatient medical records to assign and sequence all appropriate diagnosis and procedure codes utilizing encoder software and following official coding guidelines. Reviews Medicare Severity Diagnosis Related Groups (MSDRGs) and All Patient Refined Diagnosis Related Groups (APRDRGs) for appropriate code assignment.

Reviews and validates accuracy of Admission-Discharge-Transfer (ADT) data fields; abstracts discharge disposition, physicians, procedure dates, and present on admission (POA) indicators.

Performs all other duties as requested.

Meets and maintains Memorial Healthcare System (MHS) coding quality and productivity standards. Submits daily productivity report to manager by defined deadline.