Medical Records II
Job Description
Summary
The Medical Records II position primarily serves as a dedicated resource to assist the CDI team with retrieving medical records to close identified Hierarchical Condition Category (HCC) gaps for new patients. This role ensures that documentation is complete, accurate, and timely to support value-based care, continuity of care, and regulatory compliance.
In addition to CDI-focused responsibilities, the specialist performs the full scope of Medical Records Coordinator duties, including processing internal record requests, reviewing and uploading documents into the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system, and maintaining accurate, auditable records. This position requires attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and effective communication with internal teams and external providers.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Request and retrieve prior medical records from external providers for new patients with HCC gaps identified by the CDI team.
- Document all outreach and follow-up related to HCC gap resolution in the EMR.
- Prioritize record retrieval based on CDI needs and workflow standards to ensure timely completion.
- Collaborate closely with the CDI team to ensure documentation supports accurate coding and continuity of care.
- Process incoming faxed, scanned, or mailed medical documents within defined turnaround times by uploading them accurately into the EMR.
- Review documents for correct patient identification, date of service, document type, and duplicate status before finalizing upload.
- Respond to internal record requests: collect and complete necessary forms, submit external requests (fax, phone, portal), and log all outreach attempts and outcomes.
- Prioritize requests based on urgency and departmental guidelines; escalate or follow-up on outstanding requests until closure or defined resolution.
- Obtain and upload external medical records (e.g., from hospitals, specialists, imaging centers, prior providers), and update request status accordingly.
- Maintain detailed, auditable documentation in the EMR of all actions taken, including request logs, follow-up notes, and final disposition.
- Adhere strictly to HIPAA, state privacy laws, and internal confidentiality policies in all record handling.
- Comply with productivity, accuracy, and workflow standards set by the department.
- Identify opportunities for process improvement, workflow optimization, and system enhancements in record handling.
- Perform other duties as assigned to support the Medical Records department and organizational goals.
Qualifications
Education/Experience:
- High school diploma or equivalent required; additional education in healthcare, medical administration, or clinical coding preferred.
- Experience in clinical documentation improvement, medical coding, or medical records management preferred.
- Proficiency in EMR systems, document management, and data entry
- Experience handling medical record requests, including retrieval from external facilities and patient record processing.
- Knowledge of medical terminology and familiarity with chronic conditions preferred.
- Familiarity with HIPAA regulations and confidentiality standards.
Skills:
- Strong understanding of clinical documentation and HCC gap identification.
- Knowledge of medical terminology, chronic conditions, and coding practices.
- Ability to follow standardized workflows and procedures accurately and consistently.
- Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and prioritize CDI and medical records requests.
- Detail-oriented with the ability to review documents for accuracy, completeness, and correct patient assignment.
- Proficient in EMR navigation, document scanning/uploading, and record management.
- Effective communication skills for coordinating with CDI team members, medical staff, patients, and external providers.
- Ability to use independent judgment to prioritize record requests and follow-ups based on CDI needs.
- Familiarity with HIPAA regulations and confidentiality standards in all aspects of record handling.
- Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications, email, and document management tools.
- Ability to analyze clinical information and support value-based care initiatives through accurate documentation.