Management of all acute inpatient coding and abstracting activities from the patient medical records to ensure accuracy of work and adherence to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) AHA Official ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding Guidelines. Ensure correct assignment of Medicare Severity Diagnosis Related Groups (MS-DRG), Risk of Mortality (ROM), Severity of Illness (SOI), Present on Admission (POA), Patient Safety Indicators (PSI) and Hospital Acquired Conditions (HAC) that impact hospital scores and reimbursement in a timely manner to meet the accounts receivable billing requirements. Develop, implement, and monitor policies, procedures, and systems for proper coding and reporting. 

Characteristics, Duties, & Responsibilities:

• Analyze the effectiveness of inpatient facility coding operations to identify opportunities for process improvement using Lean methodologies to streamline processes and ensure the most efficient use of ICD-10 inpatient coding resources to meet the needs of the organization.
• Monitor changes in laws, regulations and policies that impact coding and reimbursement and assure compliance with coding procedures and workflows.
• Assist the Director of Coding and/or Manager of Coding Quality and Education in the development, implementation and assessment of long-range and short-term goals for the Coding Unit.
• Provide leadership representation on institutional committees as it relates to assigned units.
• Provide leadership for and actively participate in departmental and institutional activities and programs.
• Identify and address change management issues related to the evolution of the health information environment.
• Monitor daily progress of Accounts Receivable (AR) and implement personnel and operational changes to address objectives.
• Monitor and report productivity and accuracy of inpatient coders, collect statistical data from coding systems, provide clarification and coaching to staff on coding expectations to assure the highest quality of coding in the timeliest and efficient manner.
• Plan and schedule work for the unit ensuring proper staffing and distribution of assignments to accomplish required tasks; plan and schedule meetings with staff to explain and implement new policies and procedures and practices.
• Oversee contract coding agency staff.
• Oversee the capture and analysis of data regarding operational performance 
• Participate in and demonstrate an understanding of the Michigan Quality System/Continuous Quality Improvement and apply Lean Thinking concepts in daily work
• Demonstrate initiative by the continuous expansion of knowledge and skills
• Plan, develop, revise, and implement programs, policies and procedures for assigned units
• Conduct regular staff meetings to communicate changes, updates or issues.
• Assess assigned operations and implement changes to work processes as needed. 
• Support outside data abstraction processes, such as the Michigan Hospital Association and Children?s Hospitals data reports and identify opportunities for data capture improvements.
• Perform customer acceptance testing for the annual Encoder/Grouper, CAC, and MiChart system upgrades.
• Develop and coordinate educational and training programs regarding system upgrades and changes to all Coding.
• Actively participates in the evaluation, selection, and maintenance of information systems supporting DRG coding.
• Collaborate with Registration, Care Management, Revenue Cycle, HITS, and MiChart teams to resolve technical and process issues related to MiChart and Computer-Assisted Coding installation and upgrades, as well as business workflows between these departments and the inpatient coding unit to ensure compliant and timely coding and billing.
• Provide leadership for process improvement and redesign to improve customer satisfaction, reduce costs, and/or meet departmental and institutional goals and objectives.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with colleagues and staff within the department and organization to promote mutual understanding and respect.
• Work within the department, across the organization, and with clinical and senior leadership to meet organizational goals.
• Demonstrates excellent customer service skills in working with staff, clinicians and other staff at UMHS.
• Design requirements, criteria, and metrics to meet the end users? needs for analysis and interpretation of health information and statistics for Coding.
• Coding Compliance and Education
• Partners in developing strategy to address high-risk coding practices, recommendations for corrective action plans or process improvements and create policies, procedures, and internal controls which reinforce the highest level of standard of coding quality goals and outcomes.
• Collaborate with Manager of Coding Quality and Education to develop operational documentation and training materials for staff and to support coding quality and education initiatives.
• Ensures the collaboration required between the Clinical Documentation Improvement and Coding functions is optimal to achieve the excellence required. 

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally.  Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

• An associate degree in Health Information Management or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Registered Health Information Technologist or Administrator (RHIT/RHIA) or Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
• Current membership in the AHIMA is required.
• ICD-10 coding knowledge with a strong understanding of the AHA Official ICD-10 Coding Guidelines and how to apply them.
• Minimum of 2 years of inpatient coding experience within a large, fast-paced, and complex health care organization

• Extensive knowledge of ICD-10 coding principles and guidelines, DRG process, POA, SOI and ROM scoring methodology. 
• Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and payer-specific regulations and policies pertaining to documentation, coding, and billing.
• Complies with all aspects of coding, abides by all ethical standards, and adheres to official coding guidelines.
• Ability to work independently as well as with a diverse group of people in a diplomatic and effective manner.
• Strong customer focus and the knowledge and skill to identify, meet and evaluate customer expectations. 
• Strong presentation skills.
• Exceptional ability to lead, manage, and mentor staff through complex work redesign efforts.
• Logical, analytical, and organized with the ability to reprioritize quickly and efficiently.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment under multiple pressures and deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills up, down, and across the organization.
• Considerable experience with Windows computer environment and proficiency with Microsoft Office software.
• Ability to work independently, self-motivated and ability to adapt to the changing healthcare environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, analytical thinking and problem-solving skills with attention to detail are required.
• Proficiency in organizational skills and planning with an ability to juggle multiple priorities in a fast-changing environment.
• Ability to navigate the EHR to identify documents for review to provide accurate capture of clinical information.
• Knowledge and understanding of third-party payer, regulatory and accreditation requirements.
• Excellent collaboration, meeting facilitation, presentation, and communication skills
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving ability, organizational skills, and attention to detail

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Direction is received from the Manager of Coding Quality & Education, Revenue Cycle Mid Service.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Functional and administrative supervision is exercised over inpatient coders and other assigned staff.

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings.  Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.