DRG Reviewer (Onsite

Qualifications

General

• National certification as Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), and/or Certified Coding Specialist (CCS).
• Minimum of five years hospital inpatient coding for IPPS reimbursement and/or at least 2 years’ experience performing DRG validation.
• Previous auditing/ recovery experience preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the DRG structure and regulatory requirements

education (required)

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing (active/unrestricted license); or
• Associate or bachelor’s degree in health information management; or
• Work experience may be considered in lieu of formal education at leadership discretion

Certification (at least one of the following is required)

• RHIA – Registered Health Information Administrator; or
• RHIT- Registered Health Information Technician; or
• CCDS – Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist; or
• CDIP – Clinical Documentation Improvement Practitioner; or
• CCS – Certified Coding Specialist; or
• CPC-H, Certified Professional Coder-H (Hospital Based); or
• CIC, Certified Inpatient Coder

Experience

• Inpatient claims auditing, quality assurance or recovery auditing experience of 2 years or more required
• Inpatient Clinical Documentation Integrity experience of 2 years or more required
• Exhibits high standards for quality and attention to detail
• Displays deep patterns of curiosity and mastery to understand the root cause of events and behaviors
• Demonstrated ability to apply critical review judgment to make clinical and/or coding determinations
• Solid knowledge and understanding of clinical criteria and documentation requirements to successfully substantiate code assignments
• Subject matter expert in DRG methodologies (e.g., MS & APR)
• Subject matter expert in ICD-10-CM/PCS coding methodologies, UHDDS definitions, Official Coding Guidelines and AHA’s Coding Clinic Guidelines
• Demonstrates ability to work efficiently and effectively with minimal direct supervision

Computer Equipment and Software

• Experience working with laptops and multiple monitors
• Experience working remotely
• Working knowledge of Windows office systems including full Microsoft Suite and Teams
• Experience with various forms of software and experience engaging development teams
• Experience with Encoder/Grouper programs (TruCode/3M) and/or similar coding and auditing tools

Physical Demands

• Requires the ability to sit or stand for long periods of time, occasional stooping, and reaching; May require lifting up to 25 pounds; Requires a normal range of vision and hearing with or without accommodations; Position is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions
• Requires ability to travel to multiple locations, as scheduled, within the commutable vicinity of residence.

Pay range: $90,000-$110,000

This is an exempt position. 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.

• National certification as Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), and/or Certified Coding Specialist (CCS). Highly recommend ICD-10 specialized training.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the DRG structure and other health care payment methodologies and regulatory requirements.
• Minimum of five to seven years hospital inpatient coding for PPS reimbursement or at least 2 years experience performing DRG validation.
• Proven self-direction in the planning and execution of DRG validation and recovery functions.
• Demonstrated exemplary professional coding judgment.
• Confirmed effective communication in staff supervision and teaching.
• Proven operations analysis, including productivity and financial skills.
• Ability to adhere to the highest ethical standards including honesty, integrity, dedication and leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to gain support for ideas and lead others to accomplish objectives.
• Demonstrated success rate in selection of cases that result in overpayment/recovery
• Organization, flexibility and multiple task/project orientation to handle duties assigned.
• Skill in focusing on desired results, determining what is important and urgent, clarifying next steps, and delegating effectively to meet deadlines and achieve desired results.
• Must possess excellent oral, written and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in multiple computer applications (MS Office), DRG Grouper/Pricer software, and encoder software.

EXPECTATIONS:

1. As a salaried “exempt” employee of VARIS, Assistant Managers (AM) are expected to work at a minimum of 40 hours per week or a minimum of 80 hours every two week pay period. VARIS allows some flexibility of work schedules, however, AM’s must work at least 5 hours per day. If less than 5 hours per day are worked, prior approval must be made. Approvals have to be entered into the VARIS time off calendar. AM’s must be disciplined to work independently on a remote basis and have the ability to be flexible with the possibility of working greater than an 8 hour day.

2. AM’s are expected to have each team member within their team achieving at a minimum a 15% find rate and complete at least 2.0 records per validation hour worked. A skill level improvement may be performed periodically by your manager…”A positive skill improvement analysis does not guarantee either an increase in compensation or continuing employment. Raises, if given, are based on a number of factors, such as VARIS, LLC performance and profitability, department or group performance and individual performance.” (see Employee Handbook: Skill Improvement) AM’s must also report as accurately as possible the total hours worked for each task.

3. Appeal responses are expected to be completed at the beginning of each work day. The time involved working on appeal responses is included within the total validation hours worked, not counted separately. AM’s assure that all appeals for their team are complete on time. AM’s assist other AM’s in achieving a quick company wide appeal response.

4. An AM assists CVS’s in producing strong and high quality rationales for any coding change that affects the DRG assignment; using proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Rationales should include ICD-9-CM Coding Conventions, Official Coding Guidelines, and AHA Coding Clinic advice to support the DRG change. Rationale letters are written at a level that conveys professionalism and subject matter expertise.

5. An AM assists CVS’s to improve their quality of work and have no more than 2 cases per month (per employee) that are identified as a CVS oversight (or A3). Focused closed case reviews must be at a minimum of 90% accuracy rate. (Refer to the Quality Monitoring Policy and Procedure dated 2/2013)

6. AM’s are expected to attend monthly CVS meetings. Only exceptions are for vacation, sickness or situations where prior approval has been made. If an AM misses a meeting they are required to review the team agenda and contact their Manager for important updates.

7. AM’s are required to work on their coding skills on their own time to be professionally ready for their specific job at VARIS (including ICD-10).

8. AM’s are expected to demonstrate commitment to the VARIS values as described in the employee handbook.

NOTE: The position expectations outlined above are in no way to be construed to be all encompassing.

What We Offer:

• Top Medical/Dental/Vision offerings
• FSA/HSA
• Tuition reimbursement
• Competitive salary, 401(k) with company match
• PTO
• Additional health and wellness benefits and perks
• Flexible and trusting environment where you’ll feel empowered to do your best work

The salary for this position is based on an array of factors unique to each candidate: Such as years and depth of experience, set skills, certifications, etc. We are hiring for different levels, and our Recruiting team will let you know if you qualify for a different role/range. Salary is one component of the total compensation package, which includes meaningful equity, excellent healthcare, flexible time off, and other benefits and perks.

Pay range: $90,000 – $105,000, plus quarterly bonus.