Tamala Westry-Scott
Charlotte,NC
Summary
Driven and compassionate healthcare professional with 20+ years hands-on experience in healthcare and 5+ years in management. Accountable and responsible with a strong focus on quality healthcare and customer service. An effective and efficient team player who is passionate about training new colleagues, serving as a resource, and assisting physicians to provide patients the best possible healthcare during and after their visit. Works well with ability to handle complex responsibilities in a demanding, in fast-paced work environment. Energetic leader offering wealth of experience. Hardworking, educated and willing to go extra mile to complete tasks. Organized and dependable. Successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Remote PB Coding Supervisor-Contract
GHR Rev Cycle
Tampa, FL
02.2022 - Current
- Manage 14 coders. Staffing of WQ assignments and oversight of missing charge reports.
- Management of coding queries, providing feedback on coding corrections to coders.
- Lead coder onboarding and training.
- Assist with disciplinary action if needed.
- Quality and Reporting
- Act as coding reference, resource for coders. Provide education to coders. Assist with coding/billing errors by placing IT tickets or acting as liaison with PBS and coding staff.
- Disseminate system information and coding education to coding staff.
- Conduct monthly coding audits of coding staff and report compliance to manager.
- Monitor coder productivity on weekly basis and report to manager.
- Improved operations through consistent hard work and dedication.
- Coordinate with manager for provider education.
- Interacted with physician and other healthcare staff to ask questions regarding patient services.
- Reviewed outpatient records and interpreted documentation to identify diagnoses and procedures.
- Reviewed, analyzed and managed coding of diagnostic and treatment procedures contained in outpatient medical records.
- Resourcefully used various coding books, procedure manuals and on-line encoders.
- Reviewed patient charts to better understand health histories, diagnoses and treatments.
- Utilized active listening, interpersonal and telephone etiquette skills when communicating with others.
- Applied official coding conventions and rules from American Medical Association and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to assign diagnostic codes.
- Guarded against fraud and abuse by verifying coded data accurately reflected services provided.
- Used EPIC to assign procedure and diagnostic codes to patient records for billing purposes.
- Assist with secondary audit reviews.
- Participated in continuous improvement by generating suggestions, engaging in problem-solving activities to support teamwork
Remote PB Medical Coding Supervisor
Spartanburg Regional Hospital
Spartanburg, SC
01.2020 - 03.2022
- Kronos management and Time Off Request: weekly Kronos management of PTO, time adjustments and documentation of occurrences
- Management of time off request within SRHS and department guidelines and policies to allow for adequate staffing
- Manage 12 coders. Staffing of WQ assignments and oversight of missing charge reports
- Management of coding queries, providing feedback on coding corrections to coders
- Lead coder onboarding and training
- Assist with coder recruitment
- Assist with disciplinary action if needed
- Coordinate with manager for provider education
- Quality and Reporting
- Act as coding reference, resource for coders
- Provide education to coders
- Assist with coding/billing errors by placing IT tickets or acting as liaison with PBS and coding staff
- Disseminate system information and coding education to coding staff
- Conduct monthly coding audits of coding staff and report compliance to manager
- Monitor coder productivity on weekly basis and report to manager
- Coordinate and manage monthly education meetings.
- Interacted with physicians and other healthcare staff to ask questions regarding patient services.
- Reviewed, analyzed and managed coding of diagnostic and treatment procedures contained in outpatient medical records.
- Reviewed outpatient records and interpreted documentation to identify diagnoses and procedures.
- Resourcefully used various coding books, procedure manuals and on-line encoders.
- Applied official coding conventions and rules from American Medical Association and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to assign diagnostic codes.
- Guarded against fraud and abuse by verifying coded data accurately reflected services provided.
- Verified signatures and checked medical charts for accuracy and completion.
- Used EPIC to assign procedure and diagnostic codes to patient records for billing purposes.
- Performed billing and coding procedures for Emergency room and Inpatient services.
- Initiated, performed and documented quarterly coding audits for physicians.
- Utilized active listening, interpersonal and telephone etiquette skills when communicating with others.
Remote Inpatient Coder III
Virginia Commonwealth Contract Company, Insight Global
Richmond, VA
02.2019 - 02.2020
- Translates provider documentation and/or reports and makes determination as to appropriate CPT and/or ICD-9/10 codes for billing of services rendered by physicians
- Reviewed outpatient records and interpreted documentation to identify diagnoses and procedures.
- Guarded against fraud and abuse by verifying coded data accurately reflected services provided.
- Resourcefully used various coding books, procedure manuals and on-line encoders.
- Ensures compliance with all insurance guidelines and state and federal regulations regarding physicians' documentation of services
- Enters charges into TES/PARS assuring that all services are coded and billed accurately, timely and ensures maximum reimbursement
- Assists reimbursement personnel by providing information regarding resolution of payment denials
- Applied official coding conventions and rules from American Medical Association and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to assign diagnostic codes.
Remote SDS Coding Specialist
Precyse Solutions/Nthrive Contract Company Oxford HIM
Atlanta, GA
12.2014 - 02.2019
- Remote ED/Facility/OBS/, Facility with E/M, Charge Posting, Coding and Abstracting
- Reviewed patient charts to make sure documentation was complete
- Performed accurate and complete assignment of ICD 9 and CPT codes
- Completed charts in timely manner based on final disposition of patient and or Medicare status
- Reviewed nursing notes to verify appropriate infusion time.
- 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, analyzed and managed coding of diagnostic and treatment procedures contained in outpatient medical records.
- Resourcefully used various coding books, procedure manuals and on-line encoders.
- Applied official coding conventions and rules from American Medical Association and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to assign diagnostic codes.
Remote Coding Specialist
Mee Memorial Contract Company
Tampa, FL
11.2015 - 12.2017
- Performed accurate and complete assignment of ICD 9, ICD 10 and CPT codes for appropriate reimbursement
- Coordinate and process charges by abstracting, coding and batching medical information from patient records
- Completed charts in timely manner based on final disposition of patient and or Medicare status
- Reviewed outpatient records and interpreted documentation to identify diagnoses and procedures.
- Guarded against fraud and abuse by verifying coded data accurately reflected services provided.
- Resourcefully used various coding books, procedure manuals and on-line encoders.
Medical Records Associate Intern
Royal Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Matthews, NC
06.2014 - 02.2015
- Organized and maintained general supply storage areas.
- Maintained patient confidence by keeping patient records information confidential.
- Maintained patient records in compliance with security regulations.
- Reviewed charts and flagged incomplete or inaccurate information.
- Processed medical records requests from outside providers according to facility, state and federal law.
- Created new medical records and retrieved existing medical records by gathering appropriate record folders and contents and assigning and recording new record numbers.
- Gathered patient information by collecting demographic information from variety of sources.
- Delivered charts to assigned areas of facility by following established routing procedures.
- Maintained accuracy, completeness and security for medical records and health information.
- Input data into computer programs and filing systems.
- Reviewed medical records for completeness and filed records in alphabetic and numeric order.
- Communicated effectively with staff, patients and insurance companies by email and telephone.
- Maintained database for storage and retrieval of medical records.
- Secured medical records against loss or unauthorized access.
Orthopedic Medical Coder II
North Carolina Onsite/Remote
Charlotte, NC
02.2011 - 02.2015
- Coordinate and ensure accuracy of all coding for fast paced Orthopedic Surgery Center
- Interfaces with all levels of personnel to affectively resolve all coding and billing issues
- Provides reimbursement expertise to facilitate document of medical procedures and treatments supporting denials
- Works closely with business office, cashiers, PSC’s and satellite offices to ensure proper understanding of coding policies and protocols.
- Reviewed outpatient records and interpreted documentation to identify diagnoses and procedures.
- Reviewed, analyzed and managed coding of diagnostic and treatment procedures contained in outpatient medical records.
- Utilized active listening, interpersonal and telephone etiquette skills when communicating with others.
- Interacted with physicians and other healthcare staff to ask questions regarding patient services.
- Resourcefully used various coding books, procedure manuals and on-line encoders.
- Reviewed patient charts to better understand health histories, diagnoses and treatments.
- Applied official coding conventions and rules from American Medical Association and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to assign diagnostic codes.
- Guarded against fraud and abuse by verifying coded data accurately reflected services provided.
- Provided coding education to providers.
Cardiology/Vascular/Medical Office Assistant
Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute
Charlotte, NC
01.2004 - 01.2007
- Coordinated patient scheduling, check-in, check-out and payments for billing.
- Adhered to strict HIPAA guidelines to protect patient privacy.
- Directed patients to exam rooms, fielded questions and prepared for physician examinations.
- Gathered forms and copied insurance cards to collect patient information for billing and insurance filing.
- Received, recorded and filed medical payments by check, cash and credit card.
- Used Cerner to schedule appointments for doctor visits and procedures.
- Called and faxed pharmacies to submit prescriptions and refills.
- Improved timely payment of bills by developing flexible payment plans for patients.
- Answered telephone calls to offer office information, answer questions and direct calls to staff.
- Scheduled patient appointments in respective doctors' calendars and followed up with reminder phone calls.
- Carried out front office duties utilizing data entry skills in framework of medical database.
- Frequently double-checked patient histories and current information while scheduling follow-ups and other appointments.
Cardiology Assistant – Supervisor
Columbia Heart Clinic
Columbia, South Carolina
08.2001 - 05.2004
- Train onboarding Medical Assistants
- Reviewed patient charts and assisted medical records with pulling charts as well as filling patients and Doctors office request for patient health records
- Managed and developed team of 6 cardiology assistants and completed performance evaluations
- Assisted Physician with treatment of cardiac patients, EKG’s, and X-Rays
- Ordered supplies, called in prescriptions and acted as phlebotomist assistant as needed
- Holter monitors, and assisting medical record department as needed
- LEADERSHIP: Onboards and trains new coders
- Serves as resource and point-of-contact regarding coding and follow-up trainings and questions
- Completed PowerPoint documentation project to train physicians and coders
- Help coordinates and manages team meetings, Schedules, Productivity, Payroll
- AUDITS: Assists with internal quality audits for professional and facility charges
- Responsible for chart completions by assigned deadlines
- Follows coding and legal requirements to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations
- Updates master patient index by completing assigned portion of daily audit trail and corrects and communicates problems according to established procedures
- COLLABORATION: Interfaces with all levels of personnel to affectively resolve coding and billing issues
- Partners with billing department to ensure all bills are satisfied in timely manner
- Reviews nursing notes to verify appropriate infusion time
- Works closely with business office, cashiers, PSC's and satellite offices to ensure proper understanding of coding policies and protocols
- Serves as resource regarding insurance resolutions and coding questions
- Meets with individual physicians regarding dictation and charges per patient
- MEDICAL CODING: Coordinates and ensures active cording accuracy of ICD 9, ICD 10 and CPT codes for appropriate reimbursement
- Reviewed charts to verify completed documentation
- Coordinates and processes charges by abstracting, coding, and batching information from patient records
- Completes charts in timely manner based on final disposition of patient and/or Medicare status
- Contacts physicians and other health care professionals with questions about treatments or diagnostic tests given to patients about coding procedures
- Reports missing or incomplete documentation
- Follows coding guidelines and legal requirements to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations
- Managed Evaluation and Management (E/M) process, charge posting, and abstracting coding
- REIMBURSMENTS: Provides reimbursement expertise to facilitate document of medical procedures and treatments supporting denials
- Communicates with insurance companies about coding errors and disputes
- PATIENT CHARTS: Creates admission charts, audits discharged coding and charts, and verifies insurance information
- Gathers pertinent patient information and demographics in Electronic Health Record
- Keeps all patient record information confidential.
- Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
- Onboarded new employees with training and new hire documentation.
- Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
- Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members.
- Adjusted job assignments and schedules to keep pace with dynamic business needs, factoring in processes, employee knowledge and customer demands.
- Evaluated employees' strengths and assigned tasks based upon experience and training.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Collaborated with team members to achieve target results.
Education
Bachelor of Applied Science - Health Information Management
DeVry University
Downers Grove, IL2024
No Degree - CPMA
American Academy of Professional Coder
Charlotte NC2021
(HIPAA) Certificate, -
Health Insurance Portability And Accountability Ac
Charlotte, NC2018
ICD 10 Proficient Certificate, AAPC -
AAPC
Charlotte, NC2015
Associate of Applied Science - Health Information Technology
DeVry University
Chicago, IL2014
Certificate - Medical Reimbursement Specialist
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC2014
E/M Auditing -
American Academy of Professional Coders
Charlotte, NC2010
CPC-CERTIFICATE - Medical Coding
AAPC
2009
Advance Coding Certification -
Carolinas Healthcare System
Charlotte, NC2008
Coding Institute -
E/M Auditing Training
Charlotte, NC2005
Excelling as a Manager or Supervisor Certificate -
SkillPath Institute
2004
Carolina Healthcare System -
Advance Coding Certificate
Charlotte, NC2004
NC - CPT Coding And Nursing Assistant Certificate
Midlands Technical College
Columbia, SC 2003
Certificate - Medical Administrative Assistant
Phillip Junior College
Columbia, SC1991
Skills
- AREAS OF EXPERTISE, TECHNICAL ABILITIES & PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
- 3M Encoder, Medical Records Abstracting, Electronic Medical Record Documentation, Insurance, Surgery & Wound Care, Medical Coding: ICD-9 & 10, CPT, HCC Coding, RCH Technical abilities, AS400, GE Centricity, McKesson (AS400, HPF v15), EKG, Lynx Documentation Imaging, NextGen, MPF, Cerner, Medisoft, Meditech, Works Encoder Pro, Microsoft Excel, Word, Star Navigator, EPIC, LYNX, STAR, IDX, EPIC Billing Systems, Code Assist
- Ordered supplies, called in prescriptions, and acted as phlebotomist assistant when needed
- Performed either automated or manual entry of charges and abstracting functions into billing systems (LYNX, STAR, IDX, EPIC)
- PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
- Accuracy & Attention to Detail
- Excellent Problem Solver, Goal Oriented, Team-Oriented, Confidentiality & Privacy
- Flexible and Adaptable, Self-Motivated, Team building, Multitasking Abilities
- Excellent Communication, Decision-Making, Analytical and Critical Thinking
- Teamwork and Collaboration, Dependable and Responsible
- Written Communication, Planning and Coordination, Organization and Time Management
Affiliations
National Association of Collegiate Scholars 2013
National Association of Professional Women 2012
American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Member 2011
AAPC Member 2007
The #1 Ranked Outsourced Coding Provider According to KLAS Research
Timeline
Remote PB Coding Supervisor-Contract
GHR Rev Cycle
02.2022 - Current
Remote PB Medical Coding Supervisor
Spartanburg Regional Hospital
01.2020 - 03.2022
Remote Inpatient Coder III
Virginia Commonwealth Contract Company, Insight Global
02.2019 - 02.2020
Remote Coding Specialist
Mee Memorial Contract Company
11.2015 - 12.2017
Remote SDS Coding Specialist
Precyse Solutions/Nthrive Contract Company Oxford HIM
12.2014 - 02.2019
Medical Records Associate Intern
Royal Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
06.2014 - 02.2015
Orthopedic Medical Coder II
North Carolina Onsite/Remote
02.2011 - 02.2015
Cardiology/Vascular/Medical Office Assistant
Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute
01.2004 - 01.2007
Cardiology Assistant – Supervisor
Columbia Heart Clinic
08.2001 - 05.2004
Bachelor of Applied Science - Health Information Management
DeVry University
No Degree - CPMA
American Academy of Professional Coder
(HIPAA) Certificate, -
Health Insurance Portability And Accountability Ac
ICD 10 Proficient Certificate, AAPC -
AAPC
Associate of Applied Science - Health Information Technology
DeVry University
Certificate - Medical Reimbursement Specialist
Central Piedmont Community College
E/M Auditing -
American Academy of Professional Coders
CPC-CERTIFICATE - Medical Coding
AAPC
Advance Coding Certification -
Carolinas Healthcare System
Coding Institute -
E/M Auditing Training
Excelling as a Manager or Supervisor Certificate -
SkillPath Institute
Carolina Healthcare System -
Advance Coding Certificate
NC - CPT Coding And Nursing Assistant Certificate
Midlands Technical College
Certificate - Medical Administrative Assistant
Phillip Junior College
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