Behavioral Health HIM Coordinator

Duration: 6 months (High Chances of extension). 

The Behavioral Health HIM Coordinator will be responsible for collaborating with providers, therapists, patients and families with releasing protective health information (PHI) according to Pennsylvania State Laws and regulations and analyzing records for deficiencies.

The BH HIM Coordinator will review all medical record requests for completeness and accuracy of routine and non-routine disclosures, in and outside the organization.

Deficiency work queues will be monitored daily for chart completion and prompt processing of claim billing by the coding team.

1. Reviews and coordinates all authorized requests for routine disclosure of protected health information (PHI) for internal and external users.

• Confirms that the authorization is valid and HIPAA compliant.
• Consults with providers on most requests including those that may involve information blocked notes to ensure compliance with the 21st Century Cures Act.
• Verifies that requestor has the legal right to the medical records.
• Have a thorough knowledge of patient rights to their records based on age restrictions and permission.
• Determines "minimum necessary", which requires providers to request, release, or disclose only the minimum amount of information necessary to fulfill the needs of the user requesting the information.
• Act as a liaison between the main HIM department, risk management, case management when dealing with attorney requests, court orders, subpoenas, litigations, and other potential areas of risk.
• Responsible for coordinating with providers on subpoenas, warrants, district attorney and law enforcement request.
• Assist in processing large audits for state reviews.
• Interacts with requestors to identify medical records needs for release of information and prioritizes requests.

2. Responds to all web/email requests for PHI from inside and outside the facility

• Prepares email response upon receipt of all web and email requests.
• All PHI transmitted over the Internet shall be encrypted to protect it from unauthorized access.
• Follows hospital policy and procedure when sending e-mails containing PHI.
• Maintain quality and productivity standards set forth by department.

3. Collects and processes revenue from billable requests upon receipt.

• Properly invoice patients and requesters for records request.
• Accurately credit all payments received from requesters then release records if appropriate.
• Send all payment for medical records to the finance department to be credited to Cedar’s HIM Lockbox.
• Send out requested medical records upon receipt of payment.
• Re-invoices every 30-, 60- and 90-day- requests for any balances due as appropriate.

4. Monitors HIM Epic chart completion work queues and notifies providers when necessary

• Identifies and resolves deficiency flags on medical records.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data.
• Notifies providers and Medical Staff Affairs of delinquent charts.

Experience Required:  

• RHIA or RHIT Credentialed
• Associate or higher degree
• 3-5 Years of HIM experience

Preferred:

• Behavioral Health experience preferred.
• 3-5 years of HIM experience with Release of Information and Analyzing records.
• Preferably knowledge of Behavioral Health laws

SKILLS:

• Electronic health system usage - preferred EPIC.
• Proficient with releasing patient health information.
• Proficiency with deficiency analyzing medical records.
• Understanding of HIPAA rules and regulations.
• Knowledgeable with PA State laws and regulations on behavioral health.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Requires a complete understanding and awareness of the rules of confidentiality and the State and Federal laws pertaining to the release of information.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and written formats.

Shift: Mon- Fri (7:30am – 4:00pm)