SONYA PETTY
Duke University Hospital Systems
Chapel Hill,North Carolina
1
Certification
29
years of professional experience
Medical record coder with deep emergency room and outpatient coding support, including ICD-10 diagnosis assignment and E/M level review for physician billing. Handles record analysis, documentation review, and HIPAA-compliant work with accuracy, while supporting revenue cycle needs and adapting quickly to new systems and workflows.
Work History
Medical Record Coder -Emergency Room PB II
6 Years 10 Months- Analyzed medical records for deficiencies and assigned appropriate diagnosis codes (ICD 10) and E/M (Evaluation and Management) levels on emergency room accounts, ensuring accurate physician billing.
- Assigned ICD-10-CM and CPT codes for Duke University Hospital patient records.
- Reviewed clinical documentation for completeness and coding compliance.
- Abstracted diagnosis and procedure data into electronic health records.
- Volunteered with Peer Support Program, assisting employees facing with workplace, professional, or personal challenges by providing confidential emotional support and connecting them to specialized resources.
Outpatient Medical Coder/Auditor
3 Years- Assigned ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS codes for outpatient hospital services.
- Applied coding guidelines for Medicare, payer, and facility compliance standards.
- Reviewed outpatient records at University of Chicago-Ingalls Memorial Hospital for complete documentation.
- Analyzed medical records and assigned diagnosis codes (ICD 10) for Emergency Room accounts.
Traveling Medical Record Coding Consultant
1 Year 4 Months- Reviewed UCLA Health charts for ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS coding accuracy.
- Abstracted and assigned ICD-10 diagnosis codes for outpatient coding, ensuring accurate documentation for same day surgery, observations, and emergency room services.
- Audited patient records for documentation gaps and coding discrepancies.
- Applied Miramed coding guidelines to support compliant charge entry and billing.
Remote Medical Record Coder
2 Years 1 Month- Assigned accurate diagnoses for outpatient coding across same day surgery, observations, emergency room, and diagnostics to ensure compliance and support proper billing.
- Assigned diagnosis codes based on medical documentation and coding guidelines. and procedure codes using coding guidelines and medical documentation.
- Reviewed medical records for accurate ICD and CPT coding at Comforce healthcare sites.
- Queried physicians for missing details in patient charts and records.
Traveling Coding Consultant
12 Years- Reviewed medical records for accurate ICD-10-CM and CPT coding at client sites.
- Applied coding guidelines and payer rules for Kforce healthcare consulting assignments.
- Audited charts for documentation gaps and coding inconsistencies.
- Assigned accurate outpatient diagnoses, covering the emergency room, the same day surgery, observation, diagnostic and non-intervention radiology, and interventional radiology, ensuring compliance with coding standards.
Medical Coding Consultant
13 Years 2 Months- Abstract and assign the proper diagnosis for outpatient coding which includes same day surgery, observations, emergency room and diagnostics
- Assisted in auditing inpatient and outpatient charts to ensure compliance and accuracy in coding practices.
- Coordinated billing with patient financial service and charge master to resolve NCCI edits, claim rejections due to modifier issues, and departmental charge discrepancies.
- Recruited skilled medical coders for Professional Dynamic Network, enhancing team capabilities.
Coding Consultant -FT
1 Year 6 Months- Executed outpatient coding for same day surgery, observations, emergency room, and diagnostics to ensure accurate billing and compliance.
- Reviewed QuadraMed medical records for accurate ICD and CPT coding.
- Applied coding guidelines to assign diagnosis and procedure codes.
- Audited charts for documentation gaps and coding compliance issues.
Medical Coder-FT
1 Year 8 Months- Assigned ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS codes from medical records.
- Abstracted and assigned the proper diagnosis for outpatient coding, including same day surgery, observations, emergency room, and diagnostics.
- Reviewed inpatient and outpatient charts for St. Mary's Hospital coding accuracy.
- Verified physician documentation against hospital billing and compliance requirements.
Education
Master Public Health
Bachelor of Art - Interdisciplinary Studies
- Minor: Sociology
- GPA: 3.65
- The National Society of Leadership and Success
Some College (No Degree) - Health Information Management
Skills
Clinical documentation
HIPAA Compliance
Data analysis
Revenue management
Software proficiency
HIPAA compliance
Certification
CCS, Certified Coding Specialist, 1999
Awards
Honorary Doctor of Divinity WWMI Bible Institute & Seminary School — November 2025, Ms. Plus Culture Galaxy 2021-2022, Ms. Elegance Countess 2018-19, Ms. American Elegance Sophisticate 2017-18, Ms. Northern Illinois Plus America 2016, Ms. Illinois Plus America 2015
Volunteer Experience
Dedicated to advocating for the elderly, I actively volunteer with several organizations through my pageant platform. In 2015, I launched the H.E.L.E.N. Project, an initiative named after my late mother, aimed at Helping Elders Live Efficiently Now. This project raises awareness about the challenges faced by the elderly, offers educational resources, and extends support through volunteer work in various facilities., Beyond my platform, I contribute to serving the homeless community by assembling care packages and engaging with organizations like the Ronald McDonald House. Additionally, I participate in workshops, public speaking engagements, and collaborate with the Alzheimer's Association to further support those affected by Alzheimer's disease.
Timeline
Medical Record Coder -Emergency Room PB II
Duke University Hospital Systems
12.2019 - CurrentRead More
Outpatient Medical Coder/Auditor
University of Chicago-Ingalls Memorial Hospital
11.2016 - 11.2019Read More
Traveling Medical Record Coding Consultant
UCLA Health -On Call Miramed
03.2015 - 07.2016Read More
Remote Medical Record Coder
Comforce
09.2013 - 10.2015Read More
Traveling Coding Consultant
Kforce, Inc.
09.2001 - 09.2013Read More
Coding Consultant -FT
Quadra Med -Chicago, IL
07.1999 - 01.2001Read More
Medical Coding Consultant
Professional Dynamic Network
05.1999 - 07.2012Read More
Medical Coder-FT
St. Mary's Hospital- Kankakee, IL
05.1997 - 01.1999Read More
UNC - Gillings School of Global Public Health
Master Public Health
Read More
Governor State University
Bachelor of Art from Interdisciplinary Studies
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Tennessee State University
Some College (No Degree) from Health Information Management
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