Coder – Primary Care

Exceptional care starts with exceptional people.

For us, this is more than a job– it’s a calling. It’s waking up each day, looking for ways to make a difference with a compassionate, inclusive and talented team. Ochsner empowers you to discover your passion, reach your potential, and Pursue Your Purpose. Exceptional care starts with exceptional people and teams. Together we are leading the way.

This job reviews and accurately codes and abstracts basic services, such as outpatient diagnostic testing, Emergency Department, Lab, Radiology, Minor Primary Care services and other less complex medical coding. Utilizes appropriate coding guidelines to assign ICD and CPT codes and conforms to applicable Medicare, Medicaid and other third-party payer guidelines to ensure receipt of accurate reimbursement.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at the company's discretion.

Education

Required - High School diploma or equivalent

Preferred - Completion of an American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)/American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC) accredited coding program with certification.

Work Experience

Required - 1 year of coding experience OR an AHIMA/AAPC certification

Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Effective verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present information clearly and professionally to varying levels of individuals throughout the patient care process.
• Must have computer skills and dexterity required for data entry and retrieval of information.
• Must be proficient with Windows-style applications, various software packages specific to role and keyboard.

Job Duties

• Accurately assigns ICD-10, CPT and/or HCPCS within the established coding guidelines, rules and regulations. Types of coding may include but not limited to, Professional coding for minor primary care, Urgent Care and/or Emergency Department episodes, including reviewing of evaluation and management codes and CPT procedure codes; Facility charging for E&M levels, CPT procedures and/or medication administration in the Emergency Department/Observation units; Hospital coding for diagnosis and/or CPT procedure coding of services performed in the emergency department or for lab, radiology and/or other diagnostic services.
• Ensures the data integrity of coded patient records by reviewing the medical documentation and validating that documentation is sufficient to support the assigned codes.
• Communicates with providers for clarification or requests additional documentation as needed.
• Works in collaboration with team members and other departments to meet departmental monthly goals which may include one or more of the following: DNFB, Pre-AR, Denials, and Claim Edits.
• Acts as a resource by researching patient accounts in response to questions and/or errors. 
• Consistently complies with established department productivity and accuracy standards. 
• Verifies correct discharge disposition based on medical documentation as needed.
• Other related duties as required.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work only. They are not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. Other duties may be added, or this description amended at any time.

Remains knowledgeable on current federal, state and local laws, accreditation standards or regulatory agency requirements that apply to the assigned area of responsibility and ensures compliance with all such laws, regulations and standards.

This employer maintains and complies with its Compliance & Privacy Program and Standards of Conduct, including the immediate reporting of any known or suspected unethical or questionable behaviors or conduct; patient/employee safety, patient privacy, and/or other compliance-related concerns.

The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Physical and Environmental Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Light Work - Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly (Constantly: activity or condition exists 2/3 or more of the time) to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job should be rated Light Work: (1) when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree; or (2) when it requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls; and/or (3) when the job requires working at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of those materials is negligible. NOTE: The constant stress and strain of maintaining a production rate pace, especially in an industrial setting, can be and is physically demanding of a worker even though the amount of force exerted is negligible.

Normal routine involves no exposure to blood, body fluid or tissue and as part of their employment, incumbents are not called upon to perform or assist in emergency care or first aid.

The incumbent has no occupational risk for exposure to communicable diseases.

Because the incumbent works within a healthcare setting, there may be occupational risk for exposure to hazardous medications or hazardous waste within the environment through receipt, transport, storage, preparation, dispensing, administration, cleaning and/or disposal of contaminated waste. The risk level of exposure may increase depending on the essential job duties of the role.

Are you ready to make a difference? Apply Today!

Ochsner Health does not consider an individual an applicant until they have formally applied to the open position on this careers website.

Please refer to the job description to determine whether the position you are interested in is remote or on-site. Individuals who reside in and will work from the following areas are not eligible for remote work position: Colorado, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Washington, and Washington D.C.

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Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any legally protected class, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.