Southwest Arkansas Regional Medical Center is a hospital dedicated to delivering high-quality healthcare to the Hope, Arkansas community and surrounding areas. We offer a full range of inpatient and outpatient diagnostic services, as well as a 24-hour emergency department, an inpatient geriatric behavioral health unit, physical therapy, inpatient pharmacy services, and a Rural Health Clinic.

Southwest Arkansas Regional Medical Center is in search of an experienced Inpatient Coder. The ideal Inpatient Coder will be responsible for reviewing and coding all inpatient medical records to ensure accurate assignment of ICD-10-CM diagnoses and ICD-10-PCS procedure codes (or CPT where applicable for CAH). The coder ensures compliance with official coding guidelines, Medicare Critical Access Hospital billing rules, and payer-specific requirements. This role supports proper reimbursement, accurate clinical documentation, and reporting of hospital quality measures.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Review inpatient records including acute, swing-bed, and observation stays to assign accurate diagnostic and procedural codes.
• Apply ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS coding guidelines and CAH-specific billing rules (e.g., cost-based reimbursement, swing-bed coding).
• Ensure accurate sequencing and grouping for appropriate reimbursement and quality reporting.
• Collaborate with providers and clinical staff for clarification and documentation improvement.
• Maintain productivity and accuracy standards as defined by HIM department benchmarks.
• Assist with coding audits, denials management, and compliance reviews.
• Stay current on coding changes, CMS regulations, and CAH billing updates.
• Support revenue cycle staff to resolve claim issues and ensure timely reimbursement.
• Protect the confidentiality of patient health information in accordance with HIPAA.
• Participate in ongoing education and training related to coding and compliance.

Education & Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent (required).
• Associate degree in Health Information Management or related field (preferred).
• Minimum 2 years of inpatient coding experience in a hospital setting required; CAH experience strongly preferred.

Certifications (Required):

• CCS (Certified Coding Specialist – AHIMA), or
• CCA (Certified Coding Associate – AHIMA), or
• CIC (Certified Inpatient Coder – AAPC)
• RHIT or RHIA preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS coding systems.
• Understanding of CAH-specific billing and Medicare reimbursement.
• Ability to analyze clinical documentation and assign accurate codes.
• Proficiency with EHR, coding software, and encoder applications.
• Strong attention to detail, analytical ability, and organizational skills.
• Effective communication skills for provider queries and team collaboration.
• Ability to work independently and meet productivity/accuracy standards.