STEPS Coder Principal (Surgical Cases) - Military veterans preferred

Posting Details

This position requires regularly sitting at a computer workstation for extended periods of time; performing tasks with repetitive motions (such as typing); and occasionally standing or walking with objects weighing up to 10 pounds. Some job-related travel may also be involved (less than 10% of time).

M-F, however flexible hours available

The professional coding team is currently seeking a Surgical Coder to provide standardization, quality, expertise and customer service focus to the UK Healthcare system. The Surgical Coder will have frequent contact with customers/patients, faculty, physicians, vendors, and University personnel. This position will analyze and extract data from clinical documentation and diagnostic results for complex surgical procedures and assign correct CPT, HCPCS, and ICD-10 CM codes and modifier for professional reimbursement. Primary responsibilities include performing highly technical professional billing and coding, correlating multispecialty coding, and ensuring adherence to all regulatory billing and coding guidelines. This primarily includes working with surgery schedulers and surgeons to assign/abstract CPT codes for prior-authorizations. Utilize 3M data abstraction, encoder, and computer-assisted coding software to complete coding. Achieve productivity and quality standards set by the organization. Responsible for serving as expert-level resource for assigned surgical service lines, requiring regular interaction with surgeons and various revenue cycle stakeholders. This position will require the ability to sit at a computer for extended periods of time and work in a fast-paced environment. The qualified individual must enjoy working in a team-oriented environment and be able to communicate with a diverse patient/customer population.

Coding and Abstraction: Analyze and extract data from clinical documentation and diagnostic results related to complex surgical procedures in order to abstract correct CPT, HCPCS, and ICD-10-CM codes and modifiers for professional reimbursement. Primary support to surgery schedulers to abstract and assign correct CPT codes for pre-authorization. Expected to work independently with minimal supervision, serving as expert-level resource for assigned multi-specialty surgical service lines (Minimally-Invasive, Trauma, Surgical Oncology, Orthopedic, Sports Medicine, Ophthalmology, Urology, Plastic, Neurosurgery, OBGYN, Pediatric, Endoscopy Suite, Pulmonary, Cardio-Thoracic, Vascular, Transplant, and Interventional Radiology). Requires regular interaction with surgeons around clinical documentation and coding of procedures. Also requires regular interaction with other key stakeholders in revenue cycle since these are complex, high-dollar procedures (e.g., surgery scheduling and pre-authorization staff, revenue integrity, revenue management, and coding denials staff). Utilize applicable software systems (3M, Epic, etc.) to effectively abstract pertinent information from clinical documentation.

Compliance: Ensure adherence to all regulatory coding and billing guidelines. Meet coding quality benchmarks (CPT, HCPCS, and ICD-10) established in UKH HealthCare policies and procedures. Continuously communicate with management regarding coding queries, documentation improvement opportunities, etc. Contributes to quality improvement activities of the department and the organization, including participating in internal department and corporate audits. Serve as expert-level resource for assigned surgical service lines.

Professional Development: Reads professional material distributed by management. Attending continuing education activities and other WBTs. Maintains professional credentials. Participates in other professional development opportunities as needed.

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we strongly encourage veterans, individuals with disabilities, women, and all minorities to consider our employment opportunities.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.