Abstractor/Coder I
The University of Chicago

Department
BSD UCP - Professional Billing Coding - Medical Specialty

About the Department
The Biological Sciences Division (BSD) and the University of Chicago Medical Center (UCMC) are managed by a single Dean/Executive Vice President and comprises the largest unit of the University, accounting for 60% of its annual budget. All physician, hospital, and clinic services are managed through the Medical Center, which is a $1.3 billion enterprise. The BSD includes the Pritzker School of Medicine, approximately 20 academic units, degree granting committees, and research centers and institutes. The BSD is located on the University's main campus in Hyde Park, ten minutes south of downtown Chicago. BSD's patient care operations are conducted primarily at the University of Chicago Hospital and clinics, which share the same campus. The University of Chicago Practice Plan (UCPP) is the central organization that supports the clinical activity of nearly 850 clinically active faculty practicing at the University of Chicago. These clinically active faculty collectively form the University of Chicago Physicians Group (UCPG). The University of Chicago Physicians' Group (UCPG) is a component of the physician practice plan for the University of Chicago. The UCPG department provides billing services for medical services provided by University physicians and manages the accounts receivable collection and reporting processes for the Biological Sciences Division (BSD) departments. Each physician is a faculty member and is based in a specified department in the BSD.

Job Information

Job Summary:

The University of Chicago Physicians Group (UCPG) team is responsible for the overall management of clinical revenue for physician billing. This includes frontend revenue capture, working of edits and conducting audits for physician education. Ensuring the workflow of charge capture through invoice creation. UCPG is seeking an Abstractor/Coder to work with providers and staff on professional billing and compliance activities. Strong knowledge of evaluation and management coding guidelines and requirements is strongly preferred. This position is eligible for a flexible work arrangement.

The Abstractor/Coder I performs a full range of complex specialty coding in support of orthopedic practices at multiple locations.

Responsibilities:

• Obtain appropriate reimbursement levels for professional services by reviewing and coding medical procedures, diagnoses, and physician visits.
  
• Analyze denial and rejection reports, and appeal wherever appropriate.
  
• Submit charges in a timely manner.
  
• Work in collaboration with the Clinical Revenue Supervisor and others, provide guidance to faculty and staff on the charge capture and documentation processes.
  
• Educate physicians and support staff on coding issues, including issues related to fraud and abuse as it relates to coding/professional billing/clinical documentation.
  
• Attend and participate in meetings related to clinical revenue production and compliance.
  
• Track physicians on inpatient service and ensure charges are captured for services provided.
  
• Manage tracking log.
  
• Audit and provide feedback to all providers rotating on inpatient service.
  
• Other duties as assigned.
  

Competencies:

• Thorough working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, as demonstrated by certification through a nationally accredited body (e.g., AAPC or AHIMA) required.
  
• Working knowledge of ICD and CPT coding classification systems, coding for third-party payers, including CMS guidelines and reimbursement compliance, and demonstrated knowledge of both specialty and primary care coding concepts to include the application of modifiers and documentation requirements required.
  
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and Adobe required.
  
• Communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.
  
• Manage interpersonal relationships and interact/communicate with clarity, tact and courtesy with patrons, patients, staff, faculty, students and others.
  
• Identify priorities; recognize and resolve or refer problems; work effectively with supervision and as a part of a team; use or learn a range of position-related software applications.
  

Additional Responsibilities

Education, Experience, or Certifications:

Education:

• High School Diploma required.
  

Experience:

• 2-4 years of experience working in physician/healthcare billing and physician coding required.
  
• Two or more years of experience coding physician services required.
  
• Prior experience with electronic billing and medical record systems (i.e. Epic, Last Word, and IDX) is required.
  
• Prior experience in an academic medical center or large, complex hospital-physician billing group preferred.
  
• Prior experience working with Medicine primary and sub-specialty physician and procedure coding strongly preferred.
  
• Prior experience with Epic Professional Billing preferred.
  
• Prior experience coding in an academic medical center setting preferred.
  

Licenses and Certifications:

• Must have one of the following: Registered Health Information Administrator [RHIA], Registered Health Information Technician [RHIT], Certified Coding Specialist-Physician-based [CCS-P], Certified Professional Coder [CPC], or Certified Coding Specialist [CCS]), required.
  

Technical Knowledge or Skills:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite required.
  
• Knowledge and experience of Orthopedic billing and coding practices and procedures.
  

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• Standard office environment.
  
• Use standard office equipment.
  
• Sit for 4 hours or more.
  
• Flexible work arrangements, including remote work options for coders in good standing.
  

Pay Range:

• $25.32 - $37.05 hourly
  

Required Documents:

• Resume
  
• Cover Letter
  

When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Benefit Eligibility

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off.

Pay Rate Type
Hourly

Pay Range
$25.32 - $37.05
The included pay rate or range represents the University's good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Scheduled Weekly Hours
40

Union
024- Local 743, I.B.T. Clerical

Job is Exempt
No

Drug Test Required
No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Posting Date
2024-11-19

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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