Quality Validation Specialist - Outpatient Coding

About the Opportunity

The Quality Validation Specialist reviews completed outpatient coding validation audits to ensure accuracy, consistency, compliance, and adherence to client, regulatory, and organizational standards. This role evaluates audit quality related to APCs, EAPGs, CPT, HCPCS Level II, and ICD-10-CM coding while supporting continuous improvement initiatives across the validation process. The Quality Validation Specialist identifies trends, provides actionable feedback and education, monitors auditor performance, and promotes standardized application of coding guidelines and reimbursement methodologies. This position partners closely with leadership to enhance audit quality, maintain compliance, and support operational excellence.

What you’ll do

• Performs secondary reviews of completed outpatient coding validation audits to verify coding accuracy, supporting rationale, and compliance with official coding guidelines, payer policies, reimbursement methodologies, and internal audit standards.
• Evaluates auditor performance against established quality and accuracy benchmarks, identifying trends, educational opportunities, and areas requiring corrective action.
• Provides detailed, constructive feedback and coaching to auditors to promote consistency, accuracy, and appropriate interpretation and application of coding and billing guidelines.
• Develops, maintains, and enhances quality assurance tools, scorecards, audit tracking mechanisms, and documentation standards to support objective and consistent review processes.
• Collaborates with leadership and operational teams to improve audit methodologies, clarify coding guidance, standardize processes, and support continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Validates accurate assignment and review of CPT, HCPCS Level II, and ICD-10-CM codes, including appropriate use of modifiers and supporting references such as Official Coding Guidelines, CMS regulations, AMA guidance, LCDs, and NCDs.
• Develops and maintains QA tools, scorecards, and documentation standards to support objective review processes.
• Monitors and reports QA metrics, audit findings, quality trends, and corrective action plans to leadership for performance oversight and operational improvement.
• Maintains current knowledge of outpatient reimbursement methodologies, regulatory updates, coding changes, and industry standards related to Medicare OPPS, APCs, and EAPGs.
• Ensures adherence to ethical coding and auditing standards established by AHIMA, AAPC, CMS, and organizational compliance policies.
• Performs secondary reviews across multiple audit and coding platforms while maintaining established productivity and quality expectations.
• Assists with development and delivery of training materials and educational resources related to identified trends, coding updates, policy changes, and performance improvement opportunities.
• Participates in calibration sessions and quality consistency initiatives to ensure standardized audit interpretation and scoring methodologies.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

What experience you bring (Role Requirements)

Required Qualifications:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Health Information Management, Healthcare Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Current certification through AHIMA and/or AAPC required, including one or more of the following:
• RHIA (Registered Health Information Administrator)
• RHIA (Registered Health Information Administrator)
• CCS (Certified Coding Specialist)
• CPC (Certified Professional Coder)
• Minimum of 5 years of hospital outpatient coding experience within OPPS reimbursement methodologies and/or at least 5 years of outpatient/APC validation auditing experience.
• Extensive knowledge of CPT, HCPCS Level II, ICD-10-CM, NCCI edits, and appropriate modifier usage.
• Strong understanding of Medicare Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS), Ambulatory Payment Classifications (APCs), and outpatient reimbursement methodologies.
• Proficiency interpreting and applying Medicare LCD and NCD guidelines.
• Experience using industry-standard encoder and auditing tools such as Optum, TrueBridge, and/or 3M.
• Demonstrated ability to review and validate a broad range of outpatient facility services and claim types.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to provide clear, professional feedback and education.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced production and quality-driven environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5–7 years of experience performing pre-pay, post-pay, and/or post-adjudication outpatient validation reviews related to OPPS/APC reimbursement.
• Advanced experience auditing or coding complex outpatient facility claims, including but not limited to:
• Interventional Radiology
• Radiation Oncology
• Behavioral Health
• Ambulatory Surgery
• Cardiac Catheterization
• Implants
• Injections and Infusions
• Emergency Department – including ED E&M Leveling
• Observation Services and carve-out reimbursement scenarios
• Experience coding, auditing, or validating Enhanced Ambulatory Patient Grouping (EAPG) claims.
• Prior quality assurance, auditor mentoring, training, or team lead experience preferred.

What Success Looks Like…

After 3 months

You will have a strong understanding of the role.

You begin building relationships and collaborating with peers.

You develop effective time and priorities management.

You receive initial feedback about your performance and are using it to improve.

You’ve gained confidence in your abilities and are starting to feel more comfortable in your role.

After 1 year

You have mastered the tasks and responsibilities of the position, executing them with confidence and efficiency.

You have established a strong network of internal relationships and are recognized as a key collaborator.

You’ve been entrusted with greater responsibility indicating the company’s confidence in your abilities.

You see opportunities for career progression and personal development.

Pay range: This is an exempt position with an annual range from $100,000 - $105,000 with bonus opportunity.

The salary range is for Base Salary. Compensation will be determined based on several factors including, but not limited to, skill set, years of experience, and the employee’s geographic location. 

What’s in it for you      

• PTO, Paid Holidays, and Volunteer Days
• Eligibility for health, vision and dental coverage, 401(k) plan participation with company match, and flexible spending accounts
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Eligibility for company-paid benefits including life insurance, short-term disability, and parental leave.
• Remote and hybrid work options