SHARA COCHRAN
Coding Specialist / sharacochran74@gmail.com
Cowen,WV
Summary
Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) and Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) with expertise in medical coding and billing, specializing in inpatient and outpatient accounts at a Level I Trauma Academic Medical Center. With the ability to enhance revenue cycle management through meticulous claim review, denial resolution, and regulatory compliance adherence.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Edits and Denials Coding Specialist, II-Present
West Virginia University Healthcare System
Morgantown, WV
08.2006 - Current
- Performs comprehensive claim and billing edit reviews (CPT, HCPCS II, modifiers, APCs) and addresses CCI/LCD edits within various billing editor systems, ensuring adherence to APC mandates and outpatient reporting requirements.
- Reviews claim denials and ensure correct code assignment and medical necessity documentation to optimize reimbursement and ensure compliance.
- Stays current with coding guidelines (ICD-10-CM/PCS, AHA, CMS, CPT/HCPCS, NCCI, NCD/LCD, MUE, OCE) and compliance regulations.
- Applied National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) and National Coverage Determinations (NCD) / Local Coverage Determinations (LCD) guidelines to coding practices, resolving complex coding scenarios.
- Ability across specialties Acute Care, Surgery (General, Cardiac, Neuro, Ortho, ENT, Vascular), GI, Psychiatry, Neurology, OB/Newborn, Nephrology, NICU/PICU, Hematology/Oncology, and Infusion Injection Coding.
Lead Coding Specialist, Inpatient and Outpatient Coding Specialist
Saint Joseph's Hospital
Parkersburg, WV
10.1997 - Current
- Coded inpatient/outpatient medical records (DRG, CPT, ICD) for a 325-bed acute care center.
- Audited DRGs, conducted pre-discharge reviews, and resolved payment denials/appeals to improve revenue.
- Trained new coding staff, supported policies/procedures, and performed QA audits.
- Generated and issued Case Mix and Transfer DRG reports.
Coding Instructor
WVUP
Parkersburg, WV
01.2000 - 12.2002
- Instructed students enrolled in a Medical Coding program, updating curriculum and lesson plans, as necessary.
Education
associate degree - Applied Science, Health Information Management
Marshall University
Skills
- Coding & Billing Systems
- EPIC Charge Capture
- OPTUM Charging
- 3M Encoder
- 3M CAC 360
- Chargemaster
- CPT
- HCPCS Level II
- ICD-10 CM
- Health Information Management (HIM)
- Electronic Health Records (EHR)
- Microsoft Office 365
- Compliance & Reimbursement
- CMS website
- AAPC Codify LCD/NCD
- Revenue Cycle Pro
- Medical necessity edits search
- Medi Quant First Comply Edits search software
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- Commercial Insurance policies
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Technical Aptitude
- Communication & Collaboration
- Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving
Professional Affiliations And Certifications
- AHIMA, American Health Information Management Association
- RHIT, Registered Health Information Technician
- CCS, Certified Coding Specialist
- WVHIM, West Virginia Health Information Management Association
Timeline
Edits and Denials Coding Specialist, II-Present
West Virginia University Healthcare System
08.2006 - Current
Coding Instructor
WVUP
01.2000 - 12.2002
Lead Coding Specialist, Inpatient and Outpatient Coding Specialist
Saint Joseph's Hospital
10.1997 - Current
associate degree - Applied Science, Health Information Management
Marshall University