Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Dawn Hitcome

Lecanto

Summary

Accomplished Lead Coding Specialist with a proven track record in optimizing revenue cycle management and enhancing coding accuracy. Expert in HIPAA compliance, ICD-10-CM/PCS coding and clinical documentation, I excel in training and mentoring teams while significantly reducing claim denials through meticulous coding practices and effective communication. Advanced knowledge of payor denials and appeal writing processes.

Overview

14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Lead Coding Specialist

Baptist Health
03.2023 - Current
  • Managed high volumes of medical records efficiently while maintaining strict attention to detail during the coding process.
  • Reviewed outpatient records and interpreted documentation to identify diagnoses and procedures.
  • Ensured accuracy in coding through regular audits, identifying discrepancies and areas for improvement.
  • Maintained strict confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA regulations, ensuring secure storage and handling of sensitive patient information.
  • Optimized revenue cycle management by accurately assigning codes for diagnoses and procedures according to established guidelines.
  • Provided timely feedback on coder performance metrics, helping individuals meet organizational goals related to accuracy and productivity.
  • Contributed to revenue optimization efforts by identifying under-coded services and providing recommendations for appropriate code assignments.
  • Reduced error rates in medical billing by maintaining thorough knowledge of insurance regulations and guidelines.
  • Collaborated with healthcare providers to clarify documentation, enhancing the accuracy of medical records.
  • Maintained up-to-date knowledge on industry changes, attending training sessions and workshops regularly.
  • Reviewed, analyzed, and managed coding of diagnostic and treatment procedures contained in outpatient medical records.
  • Enhanced team productivity by providing guidance and support to junior coders, fostering a collaborative work environment.
  • Developed training materials to educate staff on current coding standards, best practices, and regulatory requirements.
  • Conducted comprehensive chart reviews to identify potential areas of risk or non-compliance within the organization''s coding practices.
  • Enhanced data integrity by conducting routine quality assurance checks on coded records for accuracy and completeness.
  • Participated in interdisciplinary meetings to discuss complex cases requiring specialized knowledge of coding principles and guidelines.
  • Resourcefully used various coding books, procedure manuals, and on-line encoders.
  • Applied official coding conventions and rules from American Medical Association and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to assign diagnostic codes.
  • Trained and mentored junior coders to support growth and development amd apply high-quality coding practices.
  • Monitored changes in coding regulations to provide recommendations for compliance.
  • Communicated with insurance companies to research and resolved coding discrepancies.
  • Generated reports to identify coding trends and discrepancies.
  • Utilized active listening, interpersonal, and telephone etiquette skills when communicating with others.
  • Maintained accuracy, completeness, and security for medical records and health information.
  • Used classification manuals to gain additional knowledge of disease and diagnoses processes.

Inpatient Medical Coder

AdventHealth
12.2018 - 02.2023
  • Increased coding accuracy by diligently reviewing medical documentation and applying appropriate codes.
  • Reviewed patient charts to better understand health histories, diagnoses, and treatments.
  • Correctly coded and billed medical claims for various hospital and nursing facilities.
  • Maintained a high level of productivity while consistently meeting deadlines for claim submissions.
  • Ensured compliance with industry regulations and guidelines by staying up-to-date on the latest coding changes.
  • Collaborated with physicians to obtain necessary documentation, improving claim approval rates.
  • Enhanced team efficiency with regular training sessions on new coding updates and best practices.
  • Supported the implementation of electronic health record systems, simplifying the coding process.
  • Promoted teamwork within the department through effective communication and collaboration on complex cases.
  • Minimized errors by providing ongoing feedback to clinical staff regarding proper documentation practices.
  • Verified signatures and checked medical charts for accuracy and completion.
  • Prevented costly fines by ensuring adherence to HIPAA regulations when handling sensitive patient information.
  • Interacted with physicians and other healthcare staff to ask questions regarding patient services.
  • Improved patient privacy protection by strictly adhering to HIPAA regulations during coding and billing process.
  • Improved coding turnaround time, adopting agile methodologies in managing coding tasks and priorities.
  • Reduced claim denials, meticulously verifying coding accuracy before submission.
  • Improved reimbursement rates with accurate and timely submission of medical codes for various treatments and diagnoses.
  • Enhanced coding accuracy by meticulously reviewing patient records and applying correct medical codes.
  • Monitored changes in coding regulations to provide recommendations for compliance.
  • Applied official coding conventions and rules from American Medical Association and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to assign diagnostic codes.
  • Resourcefully used various coding books, procedure manuals, and on-line encoders.
  • Verified accuracy of patient information in medical records.
  • Followed up with medical staff regarding missing information in patient records.
  • Contributed to healthcare quality improvement by accurately coding diagnoses and procedures for data analysis and reporting.
  • Boosted coding department efficiency, implementing new electronic health record system for easier access to patient information.

Medical Coder

Brooks Memorial Hospital
10.2011 - 12.2018
  • Performed on-site coding audits to determine accuracy and compliance with coding guidelines.
  • Reduced claim denials by maintaining thorough knowledge of payer-specific requirements and guidelines.
  • Conducted internal audits to identify areas for improvement in coding accuracy and compliance.
  • Streamlined the billing process for faster reimbursement by submitting accurate and timely insurance claims.
  • Reduced turnaround time for appeals by preparing comprehensive supporting documentation for denied claims.
  • Expedited claim resolution with insurance companies through clear communication and prompt follow-up actions.
  • Maintained up-to-date knowledge of coding guidelines and regulations, ensuring compliance across all coding activities.
  • Facilitated smoother interdepartmental communication by serving as liaison between coding team and medical staff.
  • Optimized coding for outpatient services, significantly improving billing efficiency and accuracy.
  • Utilized electronic medical record systems to store, retrieve and process patient data.
  • Tracked and monitored requests for medical records release.
  • Processed and tracked requests for medical records from external organizations.
  • Assisted in preparation of medical reports for external parties.
  • Reviewed outpatient records and interpreted documentation to identify diagnoses and procedures.
  • Reviewed, analyzed, and managed coding of diagnostic and treatment procedures contained in outpatient medical records.
  • Utilized active listening, interpersonal, and telephone etiquette skills when communicating with others.
  • Maintained accuracy, completeness, and security for medical records and health information.
  • Used classification manuals to gain additional knowledge of disease and diagnoses processes.
  • Increased coding accuracy by diligently reviewing medical documentation and applying appropriate codes.
  • Reviewed patient charts to better understand health histories, diagnoses, and treatments.
  • Correctly coded and billed medical claims for various hospital and nursing facilities.
  • Maintained a high level of productivity while consistently meeting deadlines for claim submissions.
  • Ensured compliance with industry regulations and guidelines by staying up-to-date on the latest coding changes.
  • Collaborated with physicians to obtain necessary documentation, improving claim approval rates.
  • Promoted teamwork within the department through effective communication and collaboration on complex cases.
  • Verified signatures and checked medical charts for accuracy and completion.
  • Prevented costly fines by ensuring adherence to HIPAA regulations when handling sensitive patient information.
  • Interacted with physicians and other healthcare staff to ask questions regarding patient services.
  • Improved patient privacy protection by strictly adhering to HIPAA regulations during coding and billing process.
  • Reduced claim denials, meticulously verifying coding accuracy before submission.
  • Applied official coding conventions and rules from American Medical Association and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to assign diagnostic codes.
  • Monitored changes in coding regulations to provide recommendations for compliance.
  • Enhanced coding accuracy by meticulously reviewing patient records and applying correct medical codes.
  • Resourcefully used various coding books, procedure manuals, and on-line encoders.
  • Verified accuracy of patient information in medical records.
  • Followed up with medical staff regarding missing information in patient records.
  • Contributed to healthcare quality improvement by accurately coding diagnoses and procedures for data analysis and reporting.

Education

Associate of Applied Science - Medical Office Technology

Jamestown Community College
Jamestown, NY
05-2009

Skills

  • HIPAA compliance
  • Clinical documentation
  • Insurance coding (ICD-9 and CPT)
  • Training and mentoring
  • Medical terminology
  • Regulatory guidelines
  • Workflow management
  • Knowledgeable and proficient in Meditech, Epic, Cerner, 3m and Quantim
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite
  • Performance improvement
  • Continuing education
  • Inpatient records coding
  • Anatomy
  • Medical record security
  • Coding error resolution
  • Proficient in outpatient, inpatient, ED, Maternity, newborn, same day surgery, observation coding
  • Ethical standards
  • Code assignment research
  • Medicare insurance regulations
  • Medical coding and abstracting

Certification

  • CCS - Certified Coding Specialist

Timeline

Lead Coding Specialist

Baptist Health
03.2023 - Current

Inpatient Medical Coder

AdventHealth
12.2018 - 02.2023

Medical Coder

Brooks Memorial Hospital
10.2011 - 12.2018

Associate of Applied Science - Medical Office Technology

Jamestown Community College

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Dawn Hitcome