Details

Open Date 03/15/2024

Requisition Number PRN37990B

Job Title Coding Educator

Working Title Medical Coding and Denials Educator

Job Grade F

FLSA Code Administrative

Patient Sensitive Job Code? No

Standard Hours per Week 40

Full Time or Part Time? Full Time

Shift Day

Work Schedule Summary

M-F 8:00am to 5:00pm Mountain Time

VP Area U of U Health - Academics

Department 00209 - Univ Medical Billing - Oper

Location Other

City Other

Type of Recruitment External Posting

Pay Rate Range $80,000-$90,000/yr.

Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Job Summary

University Medical Billing ( UMB ) is a fully remote department that is viewed as the premier billing office for the University of Utah School of Medicine, serving over 1,800 providers and 30 different specialties across Utah and surrounding states. We strive to be a great place to work while providing the best service to our customers. Our leaders and employees value collaboration, innovation, and accountability, and believe a successful candidate will exemplify these attributes too.

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Quality Assurance Manager, the Medical Coding and Denials Educator is responsible for providing quality assurance education, analysis, and recommendations for the institution. This individual will develop and build direct, interactive, dynamic relationships with management, staff, physicians, and departments. The Educator will lead a team of coders and focus on quality improvements in the revenue cycle to assure accurate and consistent coding and billing as it relates to coding denials. The Educator will develop educational programs to ensure staff (i.e., Medical Account Coding Specialists and Coders) maintain and sustain proficient understanding of regulatory policy and coding standards. Examples of educational programs include coding regulations, coding updates, applicable clinical knowledge, and national, fiscal intermediary, and organization-specific coding and reimbursement guidelines.

Employment is contingent on the successful completion of a background check and the adherence to departmental policies, including UMB’s Telecommuting Agreement which requires a distraction-free and HIPAA compliant workplace, cameras on for all virtual calls/meetings, and the ability to work during office hours or assigned shift (M-F, approximately 8am to 5pm Mountain Time) regardless of what time zone you live in. Additionally, new hires are required to provide their own monitors (two) and reliable internet service.

Compensation & Benefits

The starting salary for this position is $80,000-$90,000/yr. depending on experience. Members of UMB are eligible for a bonus based on department performance. All team members are eligible for the University’s comprehensive benefit package that includes 90% employer- paid medical insurance, a generous 14.2% retirement contribution, reduced tuition, PTO and holiday pay, and more!

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

1. Provides individual and group coding, billing, and regulatory education/presentations to coding staff, physicians, and other stakeholders throughout the organization; monitors and reports progress to ensure compliance with coding standards and expectations.

2. Directs, supervises, and evaluates the work activity of Medical Account and Coding personnel

3. Distribute and evaluate work, recommend changes as needed

4. Establish schedules, manage time-off requests

5. Complete performance assessments, oversee performance improvement

6. Assist in hiring new personnel as needed

7. Monitors work quality and employee productivity to ensure adherence to department standards.

8. Ensure team collaboration and provides continuous mentorship and feedback to medical account coding specialists and assists in building collaborative relationships with other operational teams (i.e. auditors, coders, accounts receivable (AR), authorizations, etc.) essential to the collective success of our department.

9. Develops & coordinates curriculum related to diagnosis and procedural coding, all related federal and state billing regulations, and payer processes related to coding policy, medical necessity, denials and appeals.

10. Research and evaluate coding, documentation practices, and processes, and identify billing policy and coding trends through data analysis or chart review.

11. Responsible for denial prevention, recommendations, and communications through resolution.

12. Research and respond to questions/concerns from internal and external staff.

13. Special projects and other duties as assigned.

Employment is contingent on the successful completion of a background check and the adherence to departmental policies, including UMB’s Telecommuting Agreement which requires a distraction-free and HIPAA compliant workplace, cameras on for all virtual calls/meetings, and the ability to work during office hours or assigned shift (M-F, approximately 8am to 5pm Mountain Time) regardless of what time zone you live in. Additionally, new hires are required to provide their own monitors (two) and reliable internet service.

Minimum Qualifications

AHIMA or AAPC Coding Certification. Minimum of Five years of progressively complex coding experience for outpatient and provider services or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience).

Complete and accurate knowledge of ICD -10, HCPCS , and CPT coding. Ability to interpret and understand laws and regulations at a Federal and State level. Ability to identify coding and charging errors. Proficient knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology. Comprehensive knowledge of Medicare/Medicaid and third party coding requirements. Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills courses; excellent interpersonal skills and strong team player. Ability to work in a culturally diverse environment. Intermediate computer skills with Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, OneNote.

Previous adult teaching experience is preferred.

Preferences

An especially qualified candidate will also possess the following:

• Revenue cycle expertise with a focus on coding denials and appeals

• Experience with CPT and CMS ICD -10 Guidelines

• 2 years of leadership experience

Applicants must show the potential ability to perform the job’s essential functions as outlined in the position description.

Disclaimer

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Type Benefited Staff

Special Instructions Summary

While UMB is a remote department and this role will be performed remotely, interested applicants should note the following:

• This role is expected to work during UMB office hours which are Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm Mountain Time.

• The University of Utah is committed to providing jobs to individuals located in Utah, and sees remote roles like this as an opportunity to provide amazing employment opportunities to those living in remote areas of the state. As such, Utah-based applicants may be prioritized in the screening process.

• At this time, the University of Utah is unable to employ individuals living in California, Colorado, New York, Oregon, or Washington.

Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented students and patients.

All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action ( OEO /AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at: https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/

Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu

https://safety.utah.edu/safetyreport This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.