Inpatient Medical Coder

About the role

This is a 12‑month contract position for a Remote Inpatient Medical Coder supporting a long‑term government project, with possibility to extend or convert based on business needs. The role is fully remote, though the position is based out of Dallas, TX. Applications are anticipated to close on Oct 7, 2026.

Responsibilities

• Utilize technical coding expertise to assign appropriate ICD‑10‑CM and ICD‑10‑PCS codes to complex inpatient visit types (case mix index average ~2.2609).
• Assign Present on Admission (POA) values to all secondary diagnoses using clinical disease process and documentation expertise.
• Review provider notes and Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) nurse findings to validate diagnoses.
• Use 3M 360 CAC (computerized assisted coding) software resources for efficient documentation review and code selection via autosuggestion/annotation.
• Review discharge planning and nursing documentation to validate/correct discharge disposition impacting Medicare Post‑Acute Transfer Policy reimbursement.
• Apply knowledge of MS‑DRG, APR‑DRG, AHRQ Elixhauser risk adjustment to sequence ICD‑10‑CM codes within the top 24 fields for correct reimbursement.
• Collaborate with CDI on approximately 45% of discharges regarding final MS/APR DRG and comorbidity diagnoses; educate CDI on regulatory guidelines, Coding Clinics, and conventions.
• Interpret health record documentation using anatomy, physiology, clinical disease process, pharmacology, medical terminology to determine principal diagnosis, secondary diagnoses, and procedures.
• Follow ICD‑10‑CM and ICD‑10‑PCS Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, Coding Clinic, coding conventions, and instructional notes.
• Write appeal letters in response to payer DRG downgrade notices.
• Resolve nosology messages/alerts and coding validation warnings/errors.
• Meet established coding productivity and quality standards.

Requirements

• Minimum 3+ years of inpatient medical coding experience.
• Active certification: CCS, CIC, RHIA, or RHIT.

Benefits

• Medical, dental & vision coverage.
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital insurance.
• 401(k