Selected by CHRISTUS Health Coding Leadership to apply coding expertise in a team-focused environment, mentoring, training, and cross-training a designated Regional Inpatient or Outpatient Coding team.
The Coding Lead serves as a resource to maintain high-quality ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, and/or CPT coding for inpatient and/or outpatient diagnoses and procedures through review of clinical documentation and diagnostic results. The role supports consistent coding accuracy of 95% or better and ensures data is abstracted into CHRISTUS Health electronic medical record systems with accurate patient disposition and physician data.
This position acts as a liaison for coding-related questions, provides clear responses supported by official coding guidelines and Coding Clinics, resolves billing-related error reports, and helps identify error patterns and performance improvement opportunities.
The Coding Lead collaborates with HIM, Clinical Documentation Specialists, and other departments to support accurate documentation, billing integrity, and reduced denials. The role reports to the Regional Coding Manager, with additional leadership from the Director of Coding Operations and System HIM Director.
Responsibilities
- Follow organization-wide policies and procedures to monitor coding quality and success.
- Model best practices for technology use and coach associates on coding workflows.
- Review internal and external audit results to identify individual and systemic improvement opportunities.
- Perform remediation audits and calculate coding accuracy using Excel.
- Coach coding associates based on audit findings and coding needs.
- Collaborate with Unbilled Analysts to complete billing workflow changes and reduce billing errors.
- Manage billing reports such as Connance to ensure timely account corrections.
- Assist with implementing new systems and processes to reduce backend billing errors.
- Serve as a coding liaison on coding, charging, DRG assignments, APC assignments, modifier application, special projects, and denials.
- Assign diagnoses, treatments, and procedure codes according to ICD-10-CM/PCS and AMA CPT guidelines.
- Abstract required information from source documentation into appropriate electronic medical record systems.
- Validate admit orders and discharge dispositions.
- Work assigned coding queues and reassign accounts correctly.
- Manage accounts on ABS Hold or through Epic work queues.
- Meet or exceed 95% coding accuracy and productivity standards.
- Follow AHIMA Standards of Ethical Coding.
- Support solutions that reduce backend errors.
- Identify and report hospital-acquired conditions.
- Query providers for missing or unclear documentation.
- Participate in internal and external audit discussions.
- Communicate effectively in writing and verbally.
- Work independently in a remote setting with little supervision.
- Use departmental systems and tools such as Microsoft Office, EHR, Encoder, and Teams.
Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Completion of an accredited baccalaureate program in Health Informatics or Health Information Management, or an AHIMA-approved coding certificate program preferred.
- 5 years of inpatient and/or outpatient coding experience in an acute care setting preferred.
- RHIA, RHIT, CCS, or CPC certification preferred.
Location
Texas, US
Employment Type
Full-time
Experience Level
Senior
Remote work allowed
Yes
Posted
3 weeks ago