Senior Specialty Coder - Business Office

Selected by CHRISTUS Health Coding Leadership to focus coding skills and expertise on designated inpatient or outpatient high-dollar or specialty account types. The Specialty Coder is responsible for maintaining current and high-quality ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, and/or CPT coding for inpatient and/or outpatient diagnoses and procedural occurrences through review of clinical documentation and diagnostic results, with a coding accuracy rate of 95% or better.

The coder will accurately abstract data into appropriate CHRISTUS Health electronic medical record systems, verify patient dispositions and physician data, and follow official ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, and AMA CPT guidelines. This role works collaboratively with HIM and Clinical Documentation Specialists to support accurate billing and reduce denials. The coder reports to the Regional Coding Manager, with additional leadership from the Director of Coding Operations and the System HIM Director.

Responsibilities include:

• Assign diagnoses, treatments, and procedure codes according to ICD-10-CM/PCS official guidelines to generate appropriate MS/APR DRG.
• Abstract required information from source documentation into the electronic medical record system.
• Validate admit orders and discharge dispositions.
• Work assigned coding queues and re-assign accounts correctly.
• Manage accounts on ABS Hold and finalize them once corrections are made.
• Meet or exceed a 95% accuracy rate and productivity standards.
• Follow AHIMA Standards of Ethical Coding.
• Help implement solutions to reduce backend errors.
• Identify and report hospital-acquired conditions (HAC).
• Query providers for missing or unclear documentation in collaboration with HIM and CDI teams.
• Participate in internal and external audit discussions.
• Perform other duties as assigned by leadership.