Kristina L. Portwood
Hobart,IN
Summary
Registered Health Information Technologist with a background in medical billing, coding, claims processing, and revenue cycle support across inpatient and outpatient settings. Known for accurate ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS coding, EMR use, audits, denials follow-up, and clear support for patients, payers, and clinical teams.
Overview
1
1
Certification
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Outreach Specialist - Remote
Alverno Clinical Laboratories
Hammond, IN
04.2022 - Current
- Facilitated implementation, validation, maintenance, and support for outreach software systems, enhancing user experience.
- Coordinated outreach software products across internal and client systems to ensure seamless functionality.
- Supported Epic system integration tasks.
- Oversaw service ticket requests, ensuring timely resolution and support for users.
- Supported system build and billing processing tasks.
- Processed billing transactions for clients
- Provided insurance and billing support.
- Built Athena system for improved functionality
- Provided technical support for computer systems
Medical Biller and Coder
Great Lakes Orthopedics
Saint John, IN
02.2021 - 11.2021
- Reviewed outpatient records and interpreted documentation to identify diagnoses and procedures
- Guarded against fraud and abuse by verifying coded data accurately reflected services provided
- Reviewed and managed coding for diagnostic and treatment procedures in inpatient and outpatient medical records to ensure accuracy and compliance.
- Reviewed patient charts to better understand health histories, diagnoses and treatments for billing purposes
- Used Athena and Epic to input information into a computerized patient record system
- Conducted and documented quarterly coding audits for physicians to identify discrepancies and improve coding practices.
- Resourcefully used various coding books, procedure manuals and online encoders.
- Implemented new coding procedures that reduced mistakes and simplified processes.
- Used EMR's to assign procedure and diagnostic codes to patient records for billing purposes
- Correctly coded and billed medical claims for various hospital and nursing facilities
- Audited patient files and researched procedures and diagnostic codes to resolve insurance company denials, ensuring proper reimbursement.
- Managed inpatient and outpatient compliance for coding through coding technology and coding accuracy
- Utilized active listening, interpersonal and telephone etiquette skills when communicating with patients
- Interacted with physicians and other healthcare staff to ask questions regarding patient services
MRI Coordinator
Bone And Joint Specialist
Merrillville, IN
05.2017 - 02.2021
- Performed coding for MRI, CT scans, and X-rays to ensure accurate imaging results
- Entered data, generated reports and obtained prior authorization for Radiology procedures
- Drove workflow improvements by streamlining processes
- Maintained master schedule and set up appointments
- Coached employees through day-to-day work and complex coding problems
- Oversaw technical, operational, clerical, and customer service support activities to maintain seamless operations
- Managed office activities by maintaining communication between clients, tracking records and filing all documents
- Gathered and organized materials to enhance operational support and workflow efficiency
- Interpreted management directives to define and document administrative staff processes
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
Bone And Joint Specialist
Merrillville, IN
05.2015 - 02.2021
- Coded complex orthopedic office visits and surgeries for both inpatient and outpatient procedures.
- Tracked outstanding balances owed to medical facilities and initiated timely follow-up actions.
- Logged charges and payments within Athena and Epic
- Corrected, completed and processed claims for multiple payer codes
- Processed online and paper appeal submissions and refund requests
- Processed billing calls and answered questions from patients and third-party carriers
- Assisted in reconciling deposits and patient collections to maintain accurate financial records.
- Generated financial statements and reports detailing accounts receivable status
- Monitored equipment for proper operation and maintenance of durable medical equipment (DME).
- Developed filing system that enhanced security and accessibility of client data
- Reconciled accounts monthly to ensure accuracy of billing information and reduce discrepancies
- Attended extended education seminars for billing management, coding and revenue cycles
Medical Coder
McNeil Healthcare
Chicago, IL
01.2013 - 04.2015
- Reviewed and coded inpatient/outpatient records and interpreted documentation to identify diagnoses and procedures
- Collaborated with physicians and healthcare staff to clarify patient services and optimize documentation for accurate coding
- Audited patient files and researched procedures and diagnostic codes for insurance company denials to ensure proper reimbursement
- Executed coding for observation visits to ensure accurate documentation and office visits before and after procedures
- Performed and documented quarterly coding audits for physicians to maintain coding compliance and accuracy
- Worked closely with the director of coding to ensure coding accuracy
Education
Bachelor of Science - Health Sciences
Indiana University Northwest
Associate of Science - Registered Health Information Technology (RHIT)
DeVry University
Skills
- Outreach program management
- Epic integration
- Athena system build
- Insurance claims management
- Prior authorization
- Billing processing
- Healthcare data analysis
- Accounts receivable
- Revenue cycle
- Revenue cycle strategy
- Financial reconciliation
- Insurance verification
- Patient records
- EMR systems
- Ticket management
- Stakeholder engagement
- HIPAA compliance
Personal Information
Title: Registered Health Information Technologist
Certification
American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Timeline
Outreach Specialist - Remote
Alverno Clinical Laboratories
04.2022 - Current
Medical Biller and Coder
Great Lakes Orthopedics
02.2021 - 11.2021
MRI Coordinator
Bone And Joint Specialist
05.2017 - 02.2021
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
Bone And Joint Specialist
05.2015 - 02.2021
Medical Coder
McNeil Healthcare
01.2013 - 04.2015
Bachelor of Science - Health Sciences
Indiana University Northwest
Associate of Science - Registered Health Information Technology (RHIT)
DeVry University