Vice President, Coding

Job Summary The Vice President, Coding is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing all aspects of the physician coding operations. This position ensures compliance with healthcare regulations, optimizes coding processes for accuracy and efficiency, and implements strategies to enhance the management of health data. The VP, Coding will collaborate with executive leadership to align coding and health information strategies with overall organizational objectives, improve revenue cycle management, and ensure the highest level of data integrity. Essential Functions and Tasks Strategic Leadership Develop and execute a comprehensive strategy for HIM services and medical coding, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. Drive initiatives that improve coding accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with healthcare regulations, such as HIPAA, ICD-10, and CPT coding standards. Collaborate with senior leadership to embed coding practices into broader clinical and operational strategies. Compliance and Quality Assurance Ensure all medical coding activities comply with federal, state, and local healthcare regulations, as well as payer requirements. Oversee audits and implement coding quality control programs to maintain high standards of accuracy and compliance. Monitor legislative and regulatory changes that may impact coding and health information practices, adjusting organizational policies as necessary. Revenue Cycle Optimization Collaborate with revenue cycle management (RCM) teams to ensure accurate coding that supports optimal reimbursement. Implement strategies to reduce coding-related denials, delays in claim submissions, and other revenue cycle inefficiencies. Analyze and address coding-related metrics, such denial rates, acuity, and documentation quality to improve financial outcomes. Team Leadership and Development Lead, mentor, and manage teams of coding professionals, including medical coders, coding auditors, and data analysts. Foster a culture of accountability, continuous learning, and professional development within the coding teams. Identify skill gaps and provide training and certification opportunities for coding staff to stay current with industry standards and regulations. Process Improvement and Technology Integration Identify opportunities to enhance coding processes through technology, such as computer-assisted coding (CAC) systems, electronic health record (EHR) optimizations, and automation tools. Lead projects to streamline coding workflows, reduce errors, and improve the speed and accuracy of coding processes. Stay current with technological advancements in HIM and coding, assessing their potential to improve operations and recommending strategic investments. Data Integrity and Health Information Management Ensure the accuracy, security, and confidentiality of patient health information, in compliance with HIPAA and other applicable regulations. Develop and oversee policies for data governance and health information management, ensuring the integrity and availability of clinical data for decision-making and reporting. Collaborate with IT to optimize the use of EHR systems for efficient and accurate data capture. Stakeholder Collaboration and Reporting Collaborate with clinical, administrative, and financial leaders to ensure HIM and coding practices support patient care and operational goals. Provide regular reports to senior leadership on the performance of HIM services and coding operations, including key metrics such as coding accuracy, audit results, and financial impacts. Act as a subject matter expert for coding and health information issues in interactions with external stakeholders, including regulators, payers, and accreditation bodies. Budget and Resource Management Develop and manage the budget for HIM services and medical coding, ensuring appropriate allocation of resources to meet operational needs. Oversee vendor relationships and ensure the cost-effective use of external services, such as outsourced coding, auditing, or technology solutions. Education and Experience Requirements Bachelors in a healthcare related or adjacent field Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) or Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification preferred. Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) or Certified Professional Coder (CPC) preferred. 10 years of experience in physician coding, with at least 5 years in a leadership or executive role. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Deep knowledge of medical coding (ICD-10, CPT, HCPCS) and health information management practices. Strong understanding of healthcare regulations, compliance standards, and revenue cycle management. Experience with EHR systems, computer-assisted coding (CAC), and other relevant health information technologies. Excellent leadership and team-building skills. Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities, with a focus on process improvement.