Emergency Department Medical Coder (Coding Representative) - Remote Eligible

About University of Iowa Health Care

The University of Iowa Health Care is among the top hospitals nationwide and stands as Iowa's sole comprehensive academic medical center and regional referral hub. With over 12,000 employees, students, and volunteers, the organization is dedicated to delivering safe, quality healthcare along with exceptional patient service. Their mission statement is: Changing Medicine. Changing Lives.®

Position Overview

The Department of Health Information Management within University of Iowa Health Care is searching for a full-time Emergency Department Medical Coder (Coding Representative) eligible for remote work. The position involves accurately assigning ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes, CPT/HCPCS procedure codes, and Evaluation and Management (E/M) codes for both facility and physician Emergency Department services.

Responsibilities

• Review medical records and assign precise ICD-10-CM diagnosis and CPT/HCPCS procedure codes along with E/M codes, based on official coding guidelines, regulatory standards, and institutional compliance policies for Emergency Department services.
• Adopt compliance initiatives to mitigate risk and enhance institutional adherence.
• Evaluate hospital and physician billing charge queues for accuracy and identify opportunities for process improvement including denial management.
• Generate worklist and other reports as requested.
• Facilitate communication among colleagues, supervisors, and healthcare providers to resolve documentation issues and support training efforts regarding documentation requirements.
• Participate in ongoing training sessions related to coding and professional development.

Work Arrangement

This role offers remote work eligibility within the state of Iowa following successful completion of training that may be conducted onsite or virtually. Training length is determined by the supervisor. Work arrangements are reviewed annually to ensure compliance with relevant policies.

Qualifications

• Completion of a Health Information Management degree program accredited by AHIMA or medical coding certification from AAPC or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Certification required in Health Information Management (RHIA or RHIT) or coding credentials (CCS, CCA, CPC, etc.) from nationally recognized bodies. Full certification must be attained within six months of hire.
• Proficiency in hospital outpatient ICD-10-CM, CPT coding, and Evaluation and Management coding for physician billing.
• Strong knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology.
• Competence in computer applications including Microsoft Office.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills combined with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and teams.

Preferred Experience

• One to three years of experience coding hospital outpatient ICD-10-CM and CPT, especially Emergency Department physician services.
• Familiarity with CMS regulations and industry standards.
• Experience with Epic electronic health record system and 3M or equivalent MS DRG/APR DRG encoder and analyzer software.

Compensation and Benefits

This position is a full-time regular salaried role with an annual salary starting at $45,000, aligned with pay grade 2B. Benefits include paid vacation, sick leave, options for health, dental, life, and disability insurance, as well as significant employer contributions to retirement plans. Work schedule includes 40 hours per week during negotiable daytime hours.

Additional Details

The position is classified as a Professional and Scientific appointment located in Coralville, Iowa, with options for remote work within the state. A background check and credential verification will be conducted during the hiring process. Applicants are required to submit a resume and cover letter marked as "Relevant File." Up to five professional references will be requested later in recruitment.

Contact Information

For inquiries, please contact Becki Embretson at becki-embretson@uiowa.edu.