Crystal Chunn, RHIT, CCS
Summary
Coding Analyst & Educator with over 17 years of coding experience, the most recent 12 years in inpatient coding at a multi-hospital organization consisting of a level 1 trauma center and teaching facility. Extensive experience in auditing and training of inpatient coders. Collaboration across multiple areas including CDI departments and physicians. Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy. Seeking a role in which I can continue to develop professionally and contribute to the success of my co-workers and organization.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
2
2
Certifications
Work History
Coding Analyst and Educator
ATRIUM HEALTH WAKE FOREST BAPTIST
01.2016 - Current
- Direct the inpatient coding academy by instructing coding trainees in all aspects of inpatient coding including ICD 10 CM diagnoses, PCS procedures, DRG assignment and clinical validation per institutional guidelines
- Develop and adjust the curriculum as necessary
- Perform coding audit and quality reviews for inpatient accounts, validating the appropriate ICD 10 diagnosis and procedure codes and DRG assignment
- Determine if coding entries are accurate, complete, and supported by provider documentation
- Use clinical criteria internal and external guidelines to determine clinical support for codes
- Communicate directly with coders to resolve issues and to provide education
- Identified need, developed, and presented focused education topics to Coding Staff
- Identified query opportunities for CDI and coding staff
- Performed pre bill audits to ensure most accurate final DRG assignment for accounts in which there was a DRG difference in assigned CDI and coder DRGs. The financial impact of this process was increased revenue >$5,500,000 annually, consistently over a six-year period and reduced denials significantly by mitigation of over-bills by approximately $10,000,000 annually with less than 1.5% pre-bill audits denied by payer
- Communicate with CDI on accurate code assignment and physician query opportunities
- Review coding validation as basis for appeal of DRG denials from outside payers
- Serve as a coding resource for Coding and CDI managers, coding staff, and departments external to coding
- Research current and changing coding guidelines and regulatory requirements as related to regulatory agencies such as CMS
- Stay abreast of current developments within the field by participating in professional organizations and attending webinars and/or seminars as appropriate
- Submit questions to Coding Clinic for clarification
- Undertook special projects, including tracking documentation trends and analyzing data under specific request of Director of Coding Quality Review & Education
- Collaborated with external audit team to identify specific coding issues and resolution.
- Improved coding accuracy by conducting thorough research and staying up-to-date with industry standards.
- Contributed to the development of internal coding guidelines, ensuring consistency across coding teams.
Coder IV
Wake Forest Baptist Health
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Performed pre-bill coding reviews on targeted diagnoses, procedures and DRGs to ensure DRG accuracy and mitigation of denials
- Created, sent, and tracked post discharge physician queries
- Assisted in training coders by reviewing accounts and providing regular feedback
- Monitored work queues to prevent issues in delayed billing
- Reviewed denials for determination of legitimacy in conjunction with the billing department
- Provided coding support for appeal
- Acted as a coding resource for physicians, managers, CDI, and other coders
- Worked with the billing department to research edits and account combine questions.
Coder II
Wake Forest Baptist Health
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Maintained an accuracy rate of 98% per internal audit
- Reviewed medical records and assign diagnosis and procedure codes in the correct sequence according to coding guidelines
- Used clinical coding references to assign accurate and compliant codes
- Queried physicians when necessary to ensure compliant documentation is included in the medical record
- Reviewed claim edits to resolve issues
- Maintained current knowledge of ICD-9 codes, CPT codes, and governmental and commercial regulators
- Resolved billing issues as requested.
Coder II Physician Services
Wake Forest Baptist Health
01.2008 - 01.2012
- Assigned appropriate ICD-9 and CPT codes to hospital based professional services
- Resolved pending charges in the editing system file.
Coder
Wesley Long Cancer Center
01.2006 - 01.2008
- Coded for physician pro-fee encounters visits
- Coded infusions and other procedures performed in the outpatient cancer center including but not limited to chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and injections
- Created a workflow process for the appropriate capture of all types of infusions that was used by nursing staff to assist in applying the appropriate charges.
Education
A.A.S., Health Information Technology -
Davidson County Community College
Thomasville, NCSkills
- Epic
- 3M 360 CAC
- Teams
- Microsoft suite applications
- Excellent written and spoken communication skills
- Self-starter that works well independently as well as within teams
- Clinical Documentation
- HIPAA Compliance
- Time Management
- Organizational Skills
Accomplishments
- Developed the curriculum for and served as the primary instructor for the inaugural and subsequent Inpatient Coding Academy. This resulted in a savings of 367K annually by decreasing expenditures for contract staffing.
- Performed a high-volume pre-bill DRG process that increased revenue by 5.5M annually and mitigated overbilling by 10M annually.
- Identified incorrect coding of spinal fusions with immediate rebill of 500K. Provided coder education on proper coding and DRG assignment. Implemented a pre-bill review process to ensure continued accurate coding of all spinal fusions system wide.
Certification
- RHIT - Registered Health Information Technician
- CCS - Certified Coding Specialist
Timeline
Coding Analyst and Educator
ATRIUM HEALTH WAKE FOREST BAPTIST
01.2016 - Current
Coder IV
Wake Forest Baptist Health
01.2014 - 01.2016
Coder II
Wake Forest Baptist Health
01.2012 - 01.2014
Coder II Physician Services
Wake Forest Baptist Health
01.2008 - 01.2012
Coder
Wesley Long Cancer Center
01.2006 - 01.2008
A.A.S., Health Information Technology -
Davidson County Community College