Jo Ellen Farrar
West Monroe,LA
Summary
Experienced Certified Medical Coder proficient in diagnostic coding and clinical documentation review. Strong focus on maintaining coding accuracy and compliance with industry standards, contributing to improved revenue cycle management and effective collaboration with healthcare teams.
Certified coding professional with strong foundation in medical coding systems, compliance regulations, and healthcare documentation. Adept at ensuring precise and accurate code assignment, optimizing reimbursement processes, and maintaining high standards of data integrity. Known for collaborative teamwork and adaptability in dynamic environments, contributing to team success and achieving organizational goals.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Certified Medical Coder
Northern Louisiana Medical Center
01.2025 - 12.2025
- Reviewed medical records for coding accuracy and compliance with industry standards.
- Assigned appropriate CPT and ICD-10 codes to diagnoses and procedures.
- Collaborated with healthcare professionals to clarify documentation and ensure proper coding.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of coding guidelines and regulations through ongoing education.
- Utilized electronic health record systems for efficient data entry and retrieval of patient information.
- Improved accuracy of medical coding by thoroughly reviewing patient records and assigning correct codes for diagnoses and procedures.
- Reviewed outpatient records and interpreted documentation to identify diagnoses and procedures.
- Maintained compliance with industry regulations by staying up-to-date on the latest changes in medical coding guidelines and conventions.
- Verified, coded and added modifiers to diagnoses.
Certified Medical Coder
Optum Healthcare (United Healthcare)
04.2022 - 01.2025
- Assisted in resolving coding discrepancies by providing detailed explanations and supporting documentation.
- Conducted audits of coded data to identify errors and recommend corrective actions.
- Provided support during billing processes to enhance revenue cycle management effectiveness.
- Maintained updated knowledge of coding requirements, through continuing education and certification renewal.
- Reviewed, analyzed, and managed coding of diagnostic and treatment procedures contained in outpatient medical records.
- Supported company''s financial stability by precisely identifying trends and patterns related to coding errors, denial reasons, and reimbursement delays.
- Applied official coding conventions and rules from American Medical Association and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to assign diagnostic codes.
Certified Medical Coder
Glenwood Medical Center (Steward Healthcare)
07.2016 - 04.2022
- Protected patient confidentiality by adhering strictly to HIPAA regulations when handling sensitive information related to medical records, treatments, and diagnoses.
- Utilized advanced knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology to accurately assign codes for complex or rare diagnoses and procedures.
- Correctly coded and billed medical claims for various hospital and nursing facilities.
- Interacted with physicians and other healthcare staff to ask questions regarding patient services.
- Resourcefully used various coding books, procedure manuals, and on-line encoders.
- Followed up with medical staff regarding missing information in patient records.
- Sorted and distributed incoming and outgoing medical records.
- Maintained accuracy, completeness, and security for medical records and health information.
Education
High School Diploma -
St. Frederick High School
Monroe, LA05-1981
Skills
- Diagnostic coding accuracy
- HIPAA compliance awareness
- Clinical documentation review
- Continuing education commitment
- Medical claims coding
- ICD-10 proficiency
- Medical record security
- Insurance coding (ICD-9 and CPT)
- HIPAA compliance
- Anatomy and physiology
Certification
- CPC - Certified Professional Coder
Timeline
Certified Medical Coder
Northern Louisiana Medical Center
01.2025 - 12.2025
Certified Medical Coder
Optum Healthcare (United Healthcare)
04.2022 - 01.2025
Certified Medical Coder
Glenwood Medical Center (Steward Healthcare)
07.2016 - 04.2022
High School Diploma -
St. Frederick High School