Job Title: Coding Associate
Department: Accounts Receivable
Location: Administrative Services Building, Alamosa, CO
Position Type: Full-Time

Pay Range: Hourly – Min: $16.00 - $19.09 (based on qualifications and experience)

Benefits:
Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
HRA, FSA, DCA
Retirement Plan
Aflac – Group Accident, Group Critical Illness, Hospital
MASA – Employer paid Air Ambulance Coverage
Paid Leave:
Vacation – 10 days accrued/year (or current accrual based on longevity with VW)
Sick – 12 days accrued/year
Holidays – 9 days/year

(Benefits after one year of employment with VW.)
Retirement Match
Employer paid Basic Life, LTD, STD

Job Summary:
Position available in our Coding Department at our ASB location. Primary responsibility of position is to efficiently, effectively, and accurately review patient medical and dental records assigning proper diagnosis and procedure codes by applying official coding guidelines; accurately converting patient encounters into reimbursable claims.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Accurately convert patient encounters into reimbursable claims for timely payment.
• Review daily system-generated error reports to correct or complete missing data elements.
• Track issues missing documentation or charges that require follow up
• Assists in implementing solutions to reduce back-end billing errors
• Utilizes technical coding principals
• Assist in design and implementation of workflow changes to minimize rework.
• Analyze the EPM system through NextGen to verify valid diagnosis codes for charges
• Reviews ICD9/10 and CPT codes for accuracy using official coding guidelines
• Update ICD9/10 and CPT codes on claims for proper submission while decreasing claim denials.

Serve as a resource for department managers, staff, providers and administration

• Provides coding expertise to billing staff and coding associates in addressing appeals for denials for incorrect diagnosis’s and procedural coding
  • Minimize claims cycle-times, defects and reprocessing
• Performs regular training, as needed for providers, clinical support staff, operations coding associates and billing staff
• Communicates effectively with Clinical Staff, Providers and office staff on an ongoing basis regarding documentation issues or needs; provides assistance, guidance and support in a respectful and courteous manner
  • Strive towards reducing the number of missing and incomplete encounters received daily
• Maintains up to date knowledge of changes in coding guidelines and regulations

Must foster a culture of patient and family centered care, service, quality and safety excellence, while improving patient experience, employee experience and community relations

Knowledge, skill and ability:

• Intermediate computer skills
• Advance knowledge of medical terminology and anatomy.
• Demonstration of accuracy and high attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate with staff at all levels in a professional manner.

Experience:

• Qualified candidate will have a minimum of two years office experience.
• 1-2 years of experience working in medical billing, experience using ICD-9, CPT and HCPCS codes is preferred.
• Certified Coding Specialist or Certified Professional Coder preferred

Required Education:
High School Diploma or Equivalent

Applications must be submitted by: Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

Valley-Wide Health Systems, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer:
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or any other status protected by law or regulation. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.

Employee Rights Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)