I've Been Busy!

We are currently having our survey so I'll be back next week!

The Coder

Position Title: Coder
Immediate Supervisor: Director of HIM, Manager of Clinical Data, or Coding Supervisor
General Purpose: to apply the appropriate diagnostic and procedural codes to individual patient health information for data retrieval and analysis and claims processing.

Responsibilities: 

• Abstracts pertinent information from patient records. Assigns ICD-9-CM or HCPCS codes, creating APC or DRG group assignments.
• Queries physicians when code assignments are not straightforward or documentation in the record is inadequate, ambiguous, or unclear for coding purposes. 
• Keeps abreast of coding guidelines and reimbursement reporting requirements. Brings identified concerns to supervisor or department manager for resolution.
• Abides by the Standards of Ethical Coding as set forth by the American Health Information Management Association and adheres to official coding guidelines.

Qualifications: 

• Minimum of successful completion of a coding certificate program in a program with AHIMA approval status. Certification as RHIA, RHIT, CCS, CCS-P, CPC or CPC-H preferred.
• Coding certification from AHIMA preferred. 
• Work experience as a coder or strong training background in coding and reimbursement preferred. 

I always encourage anyone that's an RHIA or RHIT to work as a coder for a few years because it gives you options as a fall back career. Plus you can make some pretty decent money as a part-time or PRN coder.

My HIM Life Right Now!

Work is getting so busy!

We are in full swing for our EHR conversion and are working on the financial portion of the implementation. I've dealt with some many master list that my eyes are crossed. But, I'm so excited to be able to gain this sort of experience as the project manager.

My role at work is expanding so fast that if I think about it too much I might panic. I've added two FTEs and 1 PTE and I've taken on the role of CDI and ICD10 documentation educator for the physicians at my hospital. We've added 3 outpatient clinics and 2 ASC and it's forced me to learn about the outpatient quickly and that's overwhelming.

These changes have forced me to become more aggressive at work but it's yielding great results that have made my chief officers very happy and is adding dollars to our bottom line, that will always put you in the good graces of the chief officers.

It's so nice to work somewhere that appreciates my body of knowledge and skills. That's not something you run across everyday so when you do, enjoy it and be thankful.

What's going on in you HIM life?