Erin Tatkowski
San Tan Valley,AZ
Summary
Experienced Medical Coding Specialist with CPC certification and advanced level coding experience in Freestanding ERs. Over 20 years of healthcare service, training, and management experience. Possesses extensive medical knowledge and clinical expertise to ensure accurate and efficient coding practices. Dedicated to maintaining compliance with industry regulations and optimizing revenue cycle management.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Medical Coding Specialist, Team Lead
QMACS, MSO
07.2023 - Current
- Apply official coding conventions and rules from American Medical Association and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to assign diagnostic codes.
- Review outpatient records and interpret documentation to identify diagnoses and procedures.
- Review, analyze, and manage coding of diagnostic and treatment procedures contained in outpatient medical records.
- Resourcefully used various coding books, procedure manuals, and on-line encoders.
- Provide expert-level guidance on medical necessity criteria to healthcare providers, supporting appropriate utilization of services and resources.
- Reduce claim denials by consistently ensuring accurate and compliant coding practices in line with regulatory standards.
- Streamline billing processes for improved efficiency by maintaining up-to-date knowledge of coding guidelines and procedures.
- Promote a collaborative work environment through effective communication and teamwork among fellow Medical Coding Specialists.
- Collaborate with healthcare providers to clarify ambiguous or incomplete documentation, resulting in more precise medical codes.
- Develop comprehensive internal reference materials to facilitate quick access to relevant information for all team members, boosting productivity levels.
- Support accurate reimbursement rates for services rendered by applying appropriate modifiers when necessary during the coding process.
- Assist management in revenue optimization by providing expertise in medical coding practices and identifying potential areas for improvement.
- Stay current on industry trends and advancements through regular participation in professional development courses and seminars, enhancing overall job performance.
- Increase staff proficiency with ICD-10-CM and CPT code sets through ongoing training sessions and individual coaching.
- Champion process improvement initiatives within the coding department by identifying areas of inefficiency and proposing effective solutions, leading to increased productivity and accuracy rates.
- Conduct thorough audits of coded data to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions, leading to higher quality results.
- Enhance medical coding accuracy by meticulously reviewing patient records and diagnoses.
- Assist in the development of new policies and procedures for the coding department, ensuring alignment with industry best practices and regulatory guidelines.
Executive Administrator/ Sales Assistant
JKT Diagnostics and Tools (Snap-On Tool Franchise Owner)
08.2018 - 07.2022
- Execution of administrative tasks including business account management, computer software updates and business license renewals
- Consistent evaluation and implementation of strategies to maximize productivity and profits
- Responsible for receiving daily product deliveries and completing new tool, warranty and defective tool returns
- Annual coordination and completion of entire product inventory
- Assist with product sales and delivery as needed
Clinical Supervisor
Cedars Heart Clinic
09.2014 - 08.2018
- Directly supervised team of 15 Medical Assistants with indirect supervision of entire office staff of35
- Responsible for hiring, training and performance evaluations
- Monitored and evaluated clinical staff’s duties and approaches to patient care
- Scheduled, coordinated, integrated, and observed nursing, non-nursing and patient services to ensure optimal client care and office workflow
- Ensured patient care and clerical services were performed as directed and in accordance with physicians’ instructions and office policies/procedures
- Coordinated ordering of all medical office supplies and medications
- Facilitated monthly staff meetings and quarterly physician meetings
- Responsible for provider Emergency Room and weekend call schedules
- Maintained provider calendar/schedule and office calendar/schedule
- Completed all provider hospital credentialing
- Responsible for completing yearly MACRA/MIPS attestation including proper EMR set up, physician training for accurate documentation and data capture
- First resource for computer, network and EHR troubleshooting
- Assisted Practice Administrator with all office administrative duties and other tasks as delegated
- Assisted with general office maintenance
- Assisted with website design and functionality
- Completed patient’s FMLA paperwork
- Performed nuclear and treadmill cardiac stress testing
- Operated Coumadin Clinic and ensured patient compliance with INR checks
- Answered all patient medical questions via EMR telephone encounters
- Completed medication authorizations and denial appeals
Clinical Supervisor/Clinical Data Abstractor
Metropolitan Medical Specialists
02.2013 - 02.2014
- Handled hiring, training and directly supervising team of10 clinical staff with indirect supervision of entire office staff of40
- Monitored and evaluated clinical staff’s duties and approaches to patient care
- Provided feedback to physicians in charge regarding performance of clinical staff
- Scheduled, coordinated, integrated, and observed nursing, non-nursing and patient services to ensure optimal client care and office workflow
- Ensured patient care and clerical services were performed as directed and in accordance with physician’s instructions
- Coordinated ordering of all medical office supplies and medications
- Maintained required lab and equipment certifications
- Facilitated weekly supervisor meetings and monthly physician and staff meetings
- Triaged urgent patient calls
- Collected required Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) information and reported to appropriate entities
- Coordinated patient participation in the CareFirst Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) program
- Assisted EHR manager with troubleshooting, implementation, and template changes for SuiteMed EHR program
- Responsible for completion of office’s transition from paper medical records to EMR application by thoroughly and accurately abstracting and entering all pertinent and required patient medical record information
EHR Implementation Specialist
MD Office Solutions & The Podiatric Billing Specialists
10.2011 - 07.2012
- Provided service and support as part of the EHR implementation team of20 professionals for the Allscripts MyWay PM/EHR program
- Served as a resource to the IT helpdesk staff in resolving user issues related to system use and functionality
- Performed database configuration and customization
- Developed, planned, and customized training strategies to ensure a smooth and successful launch of the software program
- Provided onsite assistance to medical offices during Go Live days
Travel RN
Medstaff, Inc.
11.2002 - 10.2010
- Provided nursing services to hospitals with staffing concerns nationwide
- Collaborated with the entire interdisciplinary healthcare team to provide direct comprehensive patient care to multiple patient populations
- Documented pertinent patient medical data using various EHR software programs
- Designated floor EHR user support person
- Charge RN, Float RN, Resource RN, Code Team RN and telemetry monitor technician when needed
- Mentored nursing students, new graduate nurses, and new hospital employees
Staff RN
Emory Crawford Long Hospital
10.2000 - 11.2002
- Designated charge RN, floor safety officer and first to float to Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
- Provided direct patient care in collaboration with the entire interdisciplinary healthcare team to critical care cardiopulmonary patients
- Interpreted lab values, exam results, electrocardiograms and telemetry readings
- Member of the Code Blue team
Education
CPC - Physician Based Medical Coding Course/CPC exam
AAPC
Online2019
BSN - Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing Program
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA2000
Skills
- Proficient user of GoRev, eClinicalworks, Allscripts including content and functionality configuration; navigational knowledge of NextGen and Epic systems Able to quickly master any new software applications
- Excellent computer skills, Intermediate level IT support capability, proficient Microsoft Office user
- ICD-10 proficiency
- Procedural coding accuracy
- HIPAA compliance
- Advanced knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy & physiology, disease processes and treatment protocols and procedures
- Medical abbreviations
Timeline
Medical Coding Specialist, Team Lead
QMACS, MSO
07.2023 - Current
Executive Administrator/ Sales Assistant
JKT Diagnostics and Tools (Snap-On Tool Franchise Owner)
08.2018 - 07.2022
Clinical Supervisor
Cedars Heart Clinic
09.2014 - 08.2018
Clinical Supervisor/Clinical Data Abstractor
Metropolitan Medical Specialists
02.2013 - 02.2014
EHR Implementation Specialist
MD Office Solutions & The Podiatric Billing Specialists
10.2011 - 07.2012
Travel RN
Medstaff, Inc.
11.2002 - 10.2010
Staff RN
Emory Crawford Long Hospital
10.2000 - 11.2002
CPC - Physician Based Medical Coding Course/CPC exam
AAPC
BSN - Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing Program
University of Iowa
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