Skip to main content
Welcome to CommonSpirit Careers

Senior Coder

Dignity Health Phoenix, Arizona
Apply

The posted compensation range of $25.25 - $36.61 /hour is a reasonable estimate that extends from the lowest to the highest pay CommonSpirit in good faith believes it might pay for this particular job, based on the circumstances at the time of posting. CommonSpirit may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range as permitted by law.

Requisition ID 2024-376989 Employment Type Full Time Department HIM Coding Hours/Pay Period 80 Shift Day Weekly Schedule Monday - Friday (8hrs Days Flexible Schedule) Remote Yes Category Medical Coding
Overview

CommonSpirit Health was formed by the alignment of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) and Dignity Health. With more than 700 care sites across the U.S. from clinics and hospitals to home-based care and virtual care services CommonSpirit is accessible to nearly one out of every four U.S. residents. Our world needs compassion like never before. Our communities need caring and our families need protection. With our combined resources CommonSpirit is committed to building healthy communities advocating for those who are poor and vulnerable and innovating how and where healing can happen both inside our hospitals and out in the community.


Responsibilities

The Senior Coder acts as a lead coder for Outpatient Diagnostic Coding. This position will train staff on department policies, procedures, systems and correct coding requirements. The Sr. Coder additionally will audit Coders, fill in for out-of-office Coders, and make recommendations to Coding Leadership to help improve the efficiency of the team. 

1.1 Employee will comply with all laws, rules, and regulations relating to the position. 

1.2 The employee has a duty to report any suspected violations of the law to his/her immediate supervisor, compliance officer, or CEO. 

1.3 Employee will follow the coding guidelines set by AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association,) NCCI (National Correct Coding Initiative) edits, CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services,) and the Standards of Coding Ethics. 

1.4 Selects appropriate assignments for coding from assigned work queues. 

1.5 Assigns codes by encounter: 

-Selecting the accurate principal diagnosis and procedure code; 

-Sequencing codes to optimize reimbursement in conformance with policies; 

-Coding only diagnoses and procedures which can be substantiated by documentation with the medical record; -Following coding guidelines; 

-Distinguishing cases which require additional information from physicians and contacting the physician for clarification using either direct contact or the physician query form. 

1.6 Where defined in policy: Verifies charges entered for the encounter match the documentation contained within the record. 

1.7 Routes to department when charges do not agree. 

1.8 Correctly utilizes coding applications & systems to appropriately code and abstract all assigned encounters. 

1.9 Analyzes APCs and Modifier assignment to ensure all data has been considered to ensure accurate and compliant coding and charging. 

1.10 HIM Coders shall use their skills, their knowledge of ICD and CPT rules, guidelines and requirements and any available resources to select appropriate diagnosis and procedural codes. 

1.11 HIM Coders shall not change codes or narrative of codes so that the meanings are misrepresented, nor should diagnosis or procedures be included or excluded because the payment may be affected. Statistical clinical data is an important result of coding and maintaining a quality database shall be a conscientious goal. 

1.12 Physicians will be consulted for clarification when conflicting or ambiguous documentation is noted in the record. 

1.13 The HIM Coder is a member of the healthcare team and, as such, shall assist physicians who are unfamiliar with ICD, CPT or DRG methodology. 

1.14 The HIM Coder is expected to strive for optimal payment to which the facility is legally entitled and will not engage in unethical and illegal practices to maximize payments by means that contradict regulatory guidelines. 

1.15 Reviews unbilled to assure records are all coded within department timeframes. 

1.16 Maintains patient, medical record, department, and employee confidentiality at all times. 

1.17 Consistently demonstrates a positive attitude and fosters teamwork by offering assistance to others as needed.

Responsibilities 

1.18 Effectively uses tools provided to monitor coding backlog and coding errors needing correction. 

1.19 Works with other departments to correct inaccurate clinical or demographic information regardless of the source of the information. 

1.20 Reviews the APC grouper edit and assists in clearing the edits related to coding and compliance. 1.21 Assists with the orientation and training of new employees. 

1.22 Provides input to supervisor regarding coding policies and procedures. 

1.23 Fulfills yearly continuing education requirements of the department and the hospital, to include safety and mandatory in services. Responsible for maintaining credentials. 

1.24 Attends and participates in department or section meetings. 

1.25 Contributes to the overall operation of the department by performing other duties, as assigned. 


Qualifications
  • 3 years Coding Experience (Hospital Facility, Professional Fee, Physician Clinic) using ICD and CPT coding and/or knowledge of APC’s, modifiers, and other payment methodologies. Electronic Medical Record (EMR) or Cerner experience.
  • Certified as a CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-P, RHIT, RHIA
  • Must have and maintain an in-depth knowledge of CPT, ICD, and HCPCS coding guidelines.

Unless directed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement, applications for this position will be considered on a rolling basis. CommonSpirit Health cannot anticipate the date by which a successful candidate may be identified.

Apply

Depending on the position offered, CommonSpirit Health offers a generous benefit package, including but not limited to medical, prescription drug, dental, vision plans, life insurance, paid time off (full-time benefit eligible employees may receive a minimum of 14 paid time off days, including holidays annually), tuition reimbursement, retirement plan benefit(s) including, but not limited to, 401(k), 403(b), and other defined benefits offerings, as may be amended from time to time. For more information, please visit https://www.commonspirit.careers/benefits.

Map this location

Get tailored job recommendations based on your interests.

Click Here

No recently viewed jobs

You have no saved jobs

Equal Opportunity

CommonSpirit Health™ is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, parental status, ancestry, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. For more information about your EEO rights as an applicant, please click here [PDF].

CommonSpirit Health™ will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c). External hires must pass a post-offer, pre-employment background check/drug screen. Qualified applicants with an arrest and/or conviction will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with federal and state laws, as well as applicable local ordinances, ban the box laws, including but not limited to the San Francisco and Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinances. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by telephone at (415) 438-5575 and let us know the nature of your request. We will only respond to messages left that involve a request for a reasonable accommodation in the application process. We will accommodate the needs of any qualified candidate who requests a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). CommonSpirit Health™ participates in E-Verify.