Summary
Overview
Work History
Skills
Computer And Software Knowledge
Personal Information
Timeline
Generic

Henrika Benford

Las Vegas,Nevada

Summary

Experienced certified health information manager, medical coder, auditor, and program analyst with over twenty years’ experience as a health information professional. Experienced in management administration and process improvement and process improvement consultant.

Overview

29
29
years of professional experience

Work History

Ferris State University

  • College Recruiter, Mediator, and Orientation Leader, 8/ 2004 -12/ 2007 (Part time 10 hrs
  • A week)
  • Responsible for greeting and assisting customers of the college with class choices, program schedules and providing academic/administrative support to oncoming students
  • Assisted with organizing college fairs and showing strong leadership skills
  • Strong customer service skills and interpersonal skill
  • Displayed public speaking skills by speaking in front of an audience of 300+
  • Team environment skills/ self-management skills
  • Mediation skills among student disputes.

Chief of Health Information Management

Southern Nevada VAMC
12.2023 - Current
  • I am the section Chief/Manager over the following departments: Release of Information, Records Management /File Room /Scanning, Coding, Transcription support and Cancer Registry Support, CDI, Auditing
  • I manage a team of 36 successfully
  • I have successfully turned a troubled department around by creating process and improvement in all sections of the health information department
  • Creating positive employee morale and coaching and encouraging managers with leadership skills
  • Establish policies, procedures, responsibilities, and requirements for HIM-related matters, such as health record documentation, coding and clinical documentation improvement, release of information, file room/scanning, records management, transcription and medical speech recognition, as well as the overall management of health information and Veterans health records
  • Oversee implementation and adherence to HIM industry standards, policies, procedures, laws, regulations, and accrediting bodies
  • Ensure that the facility is in compliance with applicable standards by completing HIM audits, developing healthcare data reports, and statistical information, for timely and accurate reporting
  • Monitor HIM performance through dashboards, productivity standards, and benchmarking
  • Participates in establishing and implementing strategic facility and HIM Department goals, controlling program activity costs, budgeting, procurement, and property management to achieve goals and improve processes
  • Monitor and manage HIM workflow to ensure program objectives are met
  • Effectively communicate and negotiate with staff at all levels of the organization
  • Communicates with medical center staff and external organizations to promote compliance with regulations, guidelines, policies, and procedures to meet the goal of excellent patient care
  • Ensure quality and efficiency for all areas and processes of the HIM department
  • Develop and implement HIM departmental short-term and long-term budgets, to include contracts, equipment, space, training, and staffing plans
  • Delegated full program management and supervisory responsibility to direct professional medical records administrators (MRA), medical records technicians (MRT), and other support staff in medical health information work
  • Provide technical advice, planning, and evaluation regarding health information management issues impacting the overall program on a regular and recurring basis
  • Currently a key advisor to the Chief of Staff, Executive Management, and clinicians and responsible for providing technical guidance on health information issues such as documentation requirements, liability issues, advance directives, informed consent, patient privacy and confidentiality, etc.

Sierra 7 Coding Contractor

Central Texas VAMC
01.2020 - Current
  • Abstracts information from the medial records into the HDM abstract, according to established guidelines for optimal coding
  • Reviews all encounters returned for medical necessity diagnoses issues and multiple procedures to validate the clinical significance for modifier application
  • Adhered to ICD-10, CPT-4, HCPCS and DRG standards, guidelines, and techniques in translation of medical services and procedures into encoding
  • Received and excellent performance rating.

Outpatient Coding Auditor

John D. Dingell Veteran Administration
07.2019 - Current
  • Collecting, compiling, and performing audits of outpatient primary and specialty encounters including, professional fee coding, and prosthetics specialty medical charts
  • Identifying discrepancies among coding as a team and assist with educational goals and training for team
  • Maintaining medical charts and performing regular reviews for discrepancies
  • Maintain patient and staff confidentiality per facility guidelines
  • Analyzing and reporting finding of medical coding audits to the department management for education, corrective action, and process improvement
  • Staying abreast with changing coding guidelines, updates, and government regulations
  • Medical coding of outpatient records and specialties utilizing all resources for optimal coding
  • Adhere to ICD 10-CM, CPT-4, HCPCS coding guidelines for reference of audits
  • Communicate with the Clinical improvement specialists to compare provider and coder auditing trends and improve on documentation for coding needs
  • Created coding resources for optimal coding based on audit findings
  • Served as a Coding lead amongst coding staff regarding questions and guidance
  • Recognized by management on several occasions for accuracy and timely submission to national data validation call
  • Received and excellent performance rating.

Supervisory Program Analyst

John D. Dingell Veteran Administration Medical Center
10.2022 - 12.2023
  • I am the Revenue Manager over the VERA Program
  • Directs the activities of the VERA Team in optimizing the allocations of funding for the medical center through the VERA system
  • Review and maintain clinical components captured and processed through the system to improve the use of resources and recover potential lost opportunities, and to provide analysis to be used in facility strategic planning initiatives
  • Review computerized medical records, diagnostic and procedural data, and coding review
  • Procedures associated with direct patient care units as well as cost elements and relative value units (RVU) for each procedure will also be reviewed
  • Responsible for leading a facility VERA team and workload focused workgroup consisting of members from multiple medical centers, and VISN when necessary
  • Develops databases that support benchmarking of data to include financial data, patient population and workload; translating data into meaningful management information which is made available to a wide variety of constituents at both the medical center and at the VISN
  • Ensures the accuracy of the information delivered
  • Tracks patients and data sets through the process and total potential VERA gain associated with ongoing data review and validation
  • I manage a team of 6, 2 VERA Coordinators, 1 Program Analyst, 1 MRT VERA Auditor, 2 Charge Analyst
  • I revamped the VERA Program that has been vacant for over 3 years, creating policy and procedures, Job Instruction sheets, and Standard Operating procedures
  • I trained a team of 6 on the VERA Business model and present to provider and coding staff
  • Participated in New Employee orientation as a presenter
  • Currently the VERA team has generated over $11.8 million in Potential Recovery by reviewing medical records for coding errors and corrections using the SQL Viewer App for the fiscal year, in which the hospital complexity went from a level 1C High to a level 1b high
  • Received and outstanding performance rating for the year.

Medical Record Administrator /Chief of HIMS

Aleda Lutz Veteran Administration Medical Center
08.2021 - 10.2022
  • I am the section Chief/Manager over the following departments: Release of Information, Records Management /File Room, Coding, Transcription support and Cancer Registry Support
  • I manage a team of 30 successfully
  • I have successfully turned a failing department around by creating process and improvement in all sections of the health information department
  • Creating positive employee morale and coaching and encouraging managers with leadership skills
  • Establish policies, procedures, responsibilities, and requirements for HIM-related matters, such as health record documentation, coding and clinical documentation improvement, release of information, file room/scanning, records management, transcription and medical speech recognition, as well as the overall management of health information and Veterans health records
  • Oversee implementation and adherence to HIM industry standards, policies, procedures, laws, regulations, and accrediting bodies
  • Ensure that the facility is in compliance with applicable standards by completing HIM audits, developing healthcare data reports, and statistical information, for timely and accurate reporting
  • Monitor HIM performance through dashboards, productivity standards, and benchmarking
  • Participates in establishing and implementing strategic facility and HIM Department goals, controlling program activity costs, budgeting, procurement, and property management to achieve goals and improve processes
  • Monitor and manage HIM workflow to ensure program objectives are met
  • Effectively communicate and negotiate with staff at all levels of the organization
  • Communicates with medical center staff and external organizations to promote compliance with regulations, guidelines, policies, and procedures to meet the goal of excellent patient care
  • Ensure quality and efficiency for all areas and processes of the HIM department
  • Develop and implement HIM departmental short-term and long-term budgets, to include contracts, equipment, space, training, and staffing plans
  • Delegated full program management and supervisory responsibility to direct professional medical records administrators (MRA), medical records technicians (MRT), and other support staff in medical health information work
  • Provide technical advice, planning, and evaluation regarding health information management issues impacting the overall program on a regular and recurring basis
  • Currently a key advisor to the Chief of Staff, Executive Management, and clinicians and responsible for providing technical guidance on health information issues such as documentation requirements, liability issues, advance directives, informed consent, patient privacy and confidentiality, etc
  • I have maintained and outstanding performance evaluation in my current role.

Medical Record Administrator

Louis Stokes Veteran Administration Medical Center
07.2019 - 08.2021
  • Direct assistant to the VERA Coordinator and Assistant Chief of HIMS
  • Serves as a supportive role to the HIMS management team with various projects and assignments
  • Serves as a direct contact for Compliance as it relates to HIMs
  • Monitors VERA allocation and identifies short and long -term goals and trends for VERA Allocation
  • Develops training for various levels of staff, including physicians, mi-level practitioners, medical residents, allied healthcare providers and managers as it relates to VERA and HIMS coding updates
  • Conducts reviews of Department/Service Lines as requested; to evaluate clinical services and medical documentation to determine the status and impact of the VERA program and provides written reports on findings along with recommendations for improving program activities
  • Responsible for completing VERA reports; translating statistics to reflect compensable data for management; and providing an accessible link for awareness purposes to wide variety of staff
  • Works closely with the VERA Coordinator to update policies, and guidelines for VERA
  • Works as a support to the VERA Coordinator to resolve issues presented to the Office of the Director or Compliance Chief as it relates to clinical or administrative issues that impacts VERA or HIMS
  • Created a SharePoint to share data with coders and providers as it relates to VERA
  • Provides support to the Inpatient and Outpatient supervisors as it relates to VERA coding audits, coding education, and audit rebuttals
  • Expert knowledge in performing audits utilizing the VERA Analyzer and SQL Viewer application
  • Creates education for process improvement for VERA initiatives for outpatient and inpatient coders and providers
  • Performs quality improvement projects regarding HIM issues
  • Responsible for auditing the RNB Report for HIMs and Compliance
  • Responsible for reporting the CDI metrics for the medical record review committee
  • Proficient in performing medical record encounter corrections
  • Works as a team member with the CDI team providing documentation improvement training to providers
  • I have maintained an outstanding performing evaluation in this role.

Coding Supervisor

John D. Dingell Veteran Administration
10.2017 - 07.2019
  • Supervised a remote/ on-site staff of 12 outpatient and inpatient coders
  • Analyzed and monitor quality and productivity scores
  • Provide feedback and training where needed
  • Coordinated and delegate work assignments to staff
  • Orientation and training of new staff
  • Works closely with Outpatient Coding Auditors on trends, areas for education and improvement
  • Communicate with Compliance Auditor on provider education and audits
  • Generate and reported, reports for upper-level management meetings
  • Identifies operational problems and implements strategies for solutions in conjunction with the mission, vision and values of the department and the organization
  • Conflict resolutions skills amongst staff
  • Performed daily huddles and provided direction and leadership to staff
  • Timekeeper within VATAS
  • Payrolls monitor annual and sick time schedules, and other timekeeping functions
  • Coordinated and chaired meetings with leadership teams to resolve coding issues
  • Abstracted and coded Outpatient encounters of all disciplines to decrease backlog
  • Use of all software products within a management menu
  • Public speaking skills for presentations to large groups
  • Assign and Monitor TMS module completion
  • Create positive employee morale and encourage excellence amongst staff
  • Perform coding audits for staff and contract coders
  • Assist and create process improvement initiatives
  • Works closely with Release of Information and File room management staff
  • Takes lead in other areas when Chief is absent or away
  • Communicates with all HIMS staff, daily goals and targets
  • Communicate with other management staff in billing, human resource, compliance, as it relates to issue regarding Health Information Department and employee affairs
  • Communicate with Clinical Documentation Specialist for compliance issues related to Inpatient Coding and Vera Allocation
  • Develops policies and procedures for departmental, HIM Coding Compliance
  • Oversees all the deficiencies and respond with actions plan to make sure all deficiencies are cleared
  • Monitors HIM metrics, targets, trends, and productivity and accuracy standards for process and outcomes
  • Works closely with the chief on most issues related to the HIMs department
  • Act as an education liaison to other areas of the hospital with an open-door policy
  • Very driven and self-managed.

Medical Record Outpatient Auditor

Veteran Health Administration
12.2015 - 10.2017
  • Collecting, compiling, and performing audits of outpatient primary and specialty encounters including, professional fee coding, and prosthetics specialty medical charts
  • Identifying discrepancies among coding as a team and assist with educational goals and training for team
  • Maintaining medical charts and performing regular reviews for discrepancies
  • Maintain patient and staff confidentiality per facility guidelines
  • Analyzing and reporting finding of medical coding audits to the department management for education, corrective action and process improvement
  • Staying abreast with changing coding guidelines, updates and government regulations
  • Medical coding of outpatient records and specialties utilizing all resources for optimal coding
  • Adhere to ICD 10-CM, CPT-4, HCPCS coding guidelines for reference of audits
  • Communicate with the Clinical improvement specialists to compare provider and coder auditing trends and improve on documentation for coding needs
  • Created coding resources for optimal coding based on audit findings
  • Served as a Coding lead amongst coding staff regarding questions and guidance
  • Recognized by management on several occasions for accuracy and timely submission to national data validation call.

Case Manager

Selective Care Case Management Services
01.2015 - 12.2015
  • Provide case management and care coordination services for automobile accident survivors
  • Responsible for linkage/coordination of services, follow up, advocacy and monitoring of services of assigned patient caseload
  • Excellent customer service, interpersonal skills
  • General office duties
  • Prepare reports and trend analyzes on coordination of care results
  • Recruit physician and pharmacy participation
  • Face to face support with patients during office visits
  • Advocate for patient rights and fair medical treatment
  • Handled insurance appeals
  • Appointment setter for patients.

Remote Coder I/Outpatient Emergency

Detroit Medical Center
05.2013 - 12.2015
  • Determines/assigns ICD-9/ ICD 10 CM, CPT, HCPCS to code to each diagnosis and procedure documented in the patient's outpatient medical record
  • Abstracts information from the medial records into the HDM abstract, according to established guidelines for optimal coding
  • Compares charges on accounts with the procedures coded and identifies any discrepancies
  • Reviews all accounts returned for medical necessity diagnoses issues and multiple procedures to validate the clinical significance for modifier application
  • Adhered to ICD-10, CPT-4, HCPCS and DRG standards, guidelines and techniques in translation of medical services and procedures into encoding
  • Assists in outpatient coding training of employees and medical record interns.

Trauma Registrar / Coder II

Sinai Grace Hospital/ Detroit Medical Center
12.2008 - 04.2013
  • Served as a team lead and new employee trainer for the registry process and coding
  • Responsible for obtaining, abstracting and entering appropriate patient data, both concurrently and retrospectively of patient’s records
  • Accountable for compiling statistical data, preparing reports, and performing data trends on patient data
  • Use of 3M Health Information System and National Trauma Data Base systems
  • Developed a database to convert paper forms into electronic form to enhance daily operations and created a process that saved time and proved to be more efficient
  • Participated in the Stop the Violence program, held tours, and public speaking engagements to at risk teens during safety awareness and trauma prevention class.

Health Information Specialist

St. John Hospital
04.2008 - 12.2008
  • Determines records to be released by reviewing requestors information in accordance with HIPAA guidelines
  • Assisted Release of Information with customer request
  • Customer service
  • Obtains pertinent patient data from various sources, electronically and manually
  • Data Entry skills
  • Demonstrates success working in an environment that requires attention to detail
  • Concurrent charting by physically walking floor rounds for inpatient charts
  • Communicated with unit nurses regarding patient medical records, admissions and discharges
  • Complied daily census for admissions for record tracking
  • Assembled hybrid medical records
  • Processed birth and death certificates
  • Processed consent forms for medical treatment
  • Flagged medical records for incomplete record tracking
  • Sent notices to physicians for incomplete and delinquent medical records
  • Assisted physicians with medical records completion guidelines
  • Complied daily reports and work list
  • Abstract and maintain data for clinical indices/databases/registries.

Medical Records/ Health Information Management Internship

St. John Hospital
02.2008 - 04.2008
  • Knowledge of broad range of HIM operations
  • Worked closely with the Coding supervisor on scanning project and records management transfer to offsite facility
  • Monitored coding productivity for inpatient and outpatient coding
  • Attended form committee and policy and procedure committee as a guest for intern experience
  • Toured different disciplines, compliance, quality management, release of information, Medical reimbursement for exposure to other disciplines related to HIM
  • Assisted Clinical Nurse Documentation specialist with provider education and preparation for presentation
  • Worked on DRG Validation audit for rebuttal of denials
  • Assisted with open house job fair for HIM professionals
  • Studied policies and procedures of the HIM Department with written summaries of understanding
  • Offered a position as a temporary HIM Information Specialist after internship completion
  • Accepted position.

Internship Medical Records/ Release of Information

Henry Ford Hospital
12.2007 - 02.2008
  • Determination and release of requested medical information to various types of requestors
  • Strong Medical records and EMR software knowledge
  • HIPPA certified and knowledge of regulations and compliance for general and special case request
  • Verification of medical authorizations for hospital facilities and patient request
  • Strong communication and customer service skills
  • Complete, process, track and clearly document assigned tasks with attention to detail and accuracy
  • Verifies the validity and completeness of the request for information
  • Assists with identifying process improvement opportunities to help streamline ROI and other HIM task
  • Independently process all release of information requests in a timely and efficient manner
  • Assisted billing specialists with appeals process regarding medical necessity and/or coding denials
  • Maintained confidentiality of patient records and procedures
  • Assisted with new scanning process for Release of Information
  • Offered a position as a ROI clerk after internship completion.

DTE Energy

03.1998 - 07.2004
  • Collection Representative
  • Analyze customer accounts for delinquency
  • Prepare and send notifications for payment
  • Answer a multi telephone dialer system
  • Assist customers with payment arrangements and assistance
  • Excellent customer service skills, friendly demeanor, voice and tone.

Macy's

Somerset Mall
02.1996 - 03.1998
  • Retail Associate
  • Answered customers' questions and addressed problems and complaints in person and via phone
  • Helped customers select products that best fit their personal needs
  • Maintained visually appealing and effective displays for the entire store
  • Exceeds personal sales goals daily
  • Offered exceptional customer service to differentiate and promote the company brand
  • Collaborated with customer service team members to give exceptional service throughout the entire shopping and purchasing experience
  • Consulted with customers on the latest styles and trends
  • Built customer confidence by actively listening to their concerns and giving appropriate feedback.

Pharmacy Technician/ Retail Clerk

Rite Aid Pharmacy
07.1995 - 01.1996
  • Process prescription request and refills
  • Attention to detail, verify accurate complete patient information
  • Confidential and HIPPA compliant
  • Customer service, providing patient information regarding prescriptions and questions related to their service
  • Prepare and process medical insurance claims forms and records
  • Operate cash register to accept payments for customers, working inside and drive through window
  • Receive in store incoming supplies, verify quantities against invoices, check for expired medication in inventory
  • Assist pharmacist with completion of prescription request
  • Verify insurance information with various payers for coverage
  • Data entry skills
  • Works well under pressure and fast paced environment
  • Recognized by staff and customers for excellent customer service.

Skills

  • Extensive knowledge of CPT and ICD-10 CM, HCPCS, coding
  • Report preparation skills, data abstracting skills, and auditing skills
  • Analytical ability
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Knowledge of federal and state compliance regulations, VHA Guidelines, Official Coding Guidelines
  • Medical terminology, anatomy and pathophysiology, biology, and pharmacology academic and working knowledge
  • Works well under pressure and deadlines
  • Critical Thinker
  • Fast learner and highly motivated to advance
  • Certified registered health information technician, RHIT
  • Leadership skills and management support and experience

Computer And Software Knowledge

  • Microsoft Word
  • Excel
  • Access
  • PowerPoint
  • Ms. Project
  • Softmed
  • Cerner Applications
  • Adobe PageMaker
  • Visio
  • HBO
  • Kronos
  • National Trauma Database
  • Vista
  • CCM
  • CRMS
  • VSSC
  • Quantum
  • CDI Pro
  • ACM
  • VIP Director
  • VIP Worker
  • Clintergrity
  • VATAS Timekeeper
  • FBCS
  • Data Base (NTRACS)
  • Care Plus
  • MRO
  • 3M
  • Coder
  • Banner
  • Internet Explorer
  • Novell
  • Citrix
  • VERA Analyzer
  • SQL Viewer App
  • SQL Microsoft office packages
  • ROI Plus
  • CERNER
  • CAPRI

Personal Information

Title: MHA, RHIT

Timeline

Chief of Health Information Management

Southern Nevada VAMC
12.2023 - Current

Supervisory Program Analyst

John D. Dingell Veteran Administration Medical Center
10.2022 - 12.2023

Medical Record Administrator /Chief of HIMS

Aleda Lutz Veteran Administration Medical Center
08.2021 - 10.2022

Sierra 7 Coding Contractor

Central Texas VAMC
01.2020 - Current

Outpatient Coding Auditor

John D. Dingell Veteran Administration
07.2019 - Current

Medical Record Administrator

Louis Stokes Veteran Administration Medical Center
07.2019 - 08.2021

Coding Supervisor

John D. Dingell Veteran Administration
10.2017 - 07.2019

Medical Record Outpatient Auditor

Veteran Health Administration
12.2015 - 10.2017

Case Manager

Selective Care Case Management Services
01.2015 - 12.2015

Remote Coder I/Outpatient Emergency

Detroit Medical Center
05.2013 - 12.2015

Trauma Registrar / Coder II

Sinai Grace Hospital/ Detroit Medical Center
12.2008 - 04.2013

Health Information Specialist

St. John Hospital
04.2008 - 12.2008

Medical Records/ Health Information Management Internship

St. John Hospital
02.2008 - 04.2008

Internship Medical Records/ Release of Information

Henry Ford Hospital
12.2007 - 02.2008

DTE Energy

03.1998 - 07.2004

Macy's

Somerset Mall
02.1996 - 03.1998

Pharmacy Technician/ Retail Clerk

Rite Aid Pharmacy
07.1995 - 01.1996

Ferris State University

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Henrika Benford