DRG Coder - (Hybrid)

Iberia Medical Center (IMC) in New Iberia, LA is looking for team members who will help advance our vision to be the premier hospital of choice for patients, physicians, and employees. We have proudly cared for our community for over 60 years and offer diverse career opportunities throughout our organization. Our employees experience opportunities to learn, grow, and make a meaningful impact while caring for their families, friends, and neighbors.

IMC is looking to hire a DRG Coder - Remote with some on site. . This employee is under the direction of the Revenue Cycle Manager, responsible for assigning ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS codes to inpatient medical records upon discharge and assigning the appropriate MS-DRG for reimbursement purposes. This remote position works closely with Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) Specialists and serves as an active participant on the Compliant Documentation Management Program Team.

The DRG Coder is responsible for ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely coding practices that support proper reimbursement and billing integrity. This position also assists with denial prevention, appeals, documentation clarification, and coding validation activities. The DRG Coder must communicate effectively and maintain positive working relationships with physicians, nursing staff, ancillary departments, case management, auditors, ER staff, billers, and physician office personnel to ensure accurate coding and billing outcomes.

WORK HOURS:

Monday through Friday with flexible scheduling. Full-time hours. This position daily hours are flexible but should be consistent.

PRINCIPAL TASKS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Codes and abstracts inpatient discharges utilizing ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS classification systems

Assigns final MS-DRGs in accordance with official coding guidelines and payer regulations

Reviews medical records for documentation completeness and coding accuracy

Serves as a vital participant on the Compliant Documentation Team and communicates regularly with CDI Specialists

Queries physicians as appropriate to obtain proper documentation clarification for accurate coding and DRG assignment

Audits emergency room records for proper charge master-assigned codes and corrects coding when necessary

Assigns HCPCS codes when appropriate

Assists Case Management, Business Office personnel, auditors, and physician offices with coding questions, denials, appeals, and reimbursement issues

Performs pre-submittal DRG validations for charts requested by external auditing entities

Participates in monthly cross-coding audits and coding quality improvement initiatives

Assists with orientation and training of new employees as assigned

Maintains confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA and all applicable federal and state regulations

Performs other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION:

Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management or equivalent preferred

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION:

RHIA, RHIT, CCS, CIC, or registry-eligible preferred

Other coding credentials may be considered

Certifications through AHIMA or AAPC preferred.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

Prior inpatient coding experience in an acute care facility preferred

Experience with DRG assignment and inpatient reimbursement methodologies preferred

Spreadsheet and word processing experience helpful

Experience working remotely and independently preferred

JOB KNOWLEDGE:

Demonstrated knowledge of: ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS coding systems MS-DRG assignment methodologies Medical terminology Anatomy and physiology American Hospital Association coding rules Medicare reimbursement guidelines

Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships across departments

Ability to work independently while maintaining productivity and quality standards

Employment Type:

FULL_TIME