What are the responsibilities and job description for the Medical Coder - Des Moines, IA position at Prime Physicians?
Prime Physicians is an organization accredited by The Joint Commission (TJC), ISO 9001 certified, and appraised at CMMI Services Level 3. We provide program management support, medical staffing, and medical services to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Defense Health Agency (Navy, Air Force, and Army), and the Indian Health Service (IHS), along with comprehensive consulting and management solutions to hospitals and health systems. Our singular focus is advancing high-quality patient care.
Guided by a mission to drive healthcare transformation and innovation, we offer a full range of services from program and project management to strategic planning that strengthen operational efficiency and streamline business processes. At Prime Physicians, we are committed to building a more efficient, effective, and compassionate healthcare system, ensuring that the future of patient care remains in skilled and dedicated hands.
Job Title: Medical Coder
No of Positions/Candidates Required: 4 FTE (3.0 FTE Outpatient/Ancillary/Surgical 1.0 FTE Inpatient/Professional Fee)
Specialty: Inpatient Facility Coding, Inpatient Professional Fee Coding, Outpatient Coding, Surgery/Anesthesia/Pathology Coding
Place of Work (City/State): Des Moines, IA
Site: VA Central Iowa Health Care System (VACIHCS)
Location: 3600 30th Street, Des Moines, IA 50310
Duration: 1 year contract with the possibility of another year extension
Shift Schedule: Training 08:00–16:30 CST, Mon–Fri, Post Training between 06:00–17:00
Shifts Needed per Month: ~20–22 (Mon–Fri only, standard business days; no weekend/holiday shifts)
Credentialing/Onboarding Time: 6–8 weeks
License: No state professional license required — credential-based (see Certifications)
Certifications:
Active AHIMA credential (RHIA, RHIT, CCS, or CCS-P, CCA, CDIP) or AAPC credential (CPC, CPC-H, or equivalent).Experience Needed: 6-8 years of outpatient or inpatient coding experienceSpecial Skills Needed:
- ICD-10-CM/PCS, CPT, HCPCS II, and Official Coding Guidelines
- VA encoder and VistA/CPRS experience, or ability to train
- POA, NCCI/bundling edits, and modifier application
- E/M leveling and inpatient DRG validation
- Strong documentation review and query resolution skills
- Ability to work remotely via VPN and Microsoft Teams
- Code and abstract inpatient, outpatient, surgery, professional fee, anesthesia, pathology, ancillary, and prosthetics encounters
- Meet daily productivity standards: Inpatient w/ Prof Fees – 10; Inpatient w/o Prof Fees – 14; Surgery – 27; Outpatient/Testing/Prof Encounters – 75
- Maintain at least 95% coding accuracy
- Meet turnaround times of 1–5 business days based on encounter type
- Submit daily and weekly status reports
- Complete re-review/billing corrections within 1 business day
- Complete required annual VA Security/Privacy training and Rules of Behavior
Prime Physicians is a physician-led, The Joint Commission (TJC) Accredited, ISO 9001 certified and CMMI Level 3 appraised organization. Our commitment extends beyond traditional consulting and management services, offering comprehensive solutions to hospitals, health systems, and federal government agencies. At the heart of our operations is the ultimate goal to deliver high-quality patient care. Driven by a mission to catalyze healthcare transformation and innovation, we offer an array of services designed to redefine the healthcare landscape. From program and project management to strategic planning, we enhance operational efficiency and streamline business processes. With Prime Physicians, the future of patient care is in skilled and dedicated hands, leading the way towards a more efficient, effective, and compassionate healthcare system.