Coding Specialist

Astera Health is hiring for a Clinic Coding Specialist in the Revenue Integrity department. This is a full-time position, scheduled at 80 hours bi-weekly. Astera Health offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, life and retirement. We also support work-life balance through benefits such as paid time off, short- and long-term disability and our employee wellness initiative.

The position has a flexible schedule with the potential to work onsite, remote, or hybrid, with the knowledge that Astera Health will still require on-site work in Wadena, MN.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Reviews and enters charges onto accounts.
• Accurately codes all healthcare records using appropriate ICD-10 and CPT codes, ensuring all charges are accounted for prior to billing.
• For Inpatient accounts, assigns proper DRG for Medicare patients based on documentation.
• Provides codes and coding expertise to other departments as requested.
• Collaborates with billing for coding denial management.
• Communicates effectively with providers and clinical staff for documentation questions and coding query resolution.
• Takes an active role in the Revenue Integrity Team identifying problems, offering suggestions, and providing expertise.
• Answers all correspondence in multiple modalities timely and professionally.
• Ensures proper maintenance of communication with regard to workload and schedule.
• Maintains strict patient confidentiality.

Competencies required include:

• Demonstrate observation, listening, interpersonal, and clarification skills to interact positively and productively.
• Work well under pressure maintaining attention to detail to accurately document encounters.
• Knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology.
• Effective operation of 3M Coding Reimbursement products.
• Effective operation of Vitalware coding resource platform.
• Effective operation of Epic electronic medical record.
• Proficient with standard office equipment and Microsoft Office solutions (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel).
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• High degree of commitment to customer service excellence.
• Possess cross-cultural sensitivity.
• Ability to work effectively and build strong relationships within the Revenue Integrity Department and collaborate with other Astera departments.
• Ability to perform tasks collaboratively and independently.
• Concern for patients of all ages, visitors, and co-workers.
• Maintains confidentiality of information and privacy compliance.

Education and experience required:

• High School Diploma or GED.
• RHIT, CCS, AAPC or AHIMA Coding Credentials.
• 1+ years of experience in medical coding or combined relevant education and experience.

Physical Requirements:

• Sedentary Duty: exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or negligible amount of force frequently.
• Occasionally (up to 33% of work time): Standing, walking, reaching, lifting.
• Frequently (34-66% of work time): Sitting, handling, fingering, talking, hearing, near acuity vision.

Astera Health is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer providing equal employment opportunities without regard to protected status.