Christina Armstrong
Paducah
Summary
Driven RCM Director as a Medical Billing and Coding Specialist, CCS-P, with expertise in outpatient mental health. Leverages supervisory and team-building skills to implement effective training and monitoring strategies that enhance employee engagement and performance. Proven track record in facilitating positive organizational change and fostering a collaborative work environment.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
RCM Director
Emerald Therapy Center
Paducah, KY
11.2021 - Current
- Developed strategic initiatives to enhance patient care and satisfaction.
- Collaborated with staff to implement best practices in therapy delivery.
- Facilitated training sessions for staff on therapeutic techniques and compliance.
- Evaluated program effectiveness through regular assessments and feedback collection.
- Coordinated interdisciplinary meetings to align treatment goals across teams.
- Conducted regular meetings with department heads to review progress on strategic initiatives.
- Developed policies and procedures to ensure compliance with corporate standards.
- Collaborated with senior leadership to define and align long-term objectives with organizational goals.
- Identified opportunities for improvement in operational performance metrics.
- Identified and analyzed process optimization opportunities to enhance operational workflows.
- Negotiate agreements with external partners such as contractors or consultants.
- Reviewed internal reports and identified areas of risk or potential cost savings.
- Coordinated cross-departmental resources to support efficient project execution and improve overall productivity.
- Spearheaded the development and launch of new products or services.
- Ensured compliance with all relevant regulations, policies and procedures.
- Coordinated with regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with laws and standards.
- Promoted a culture of innovation and encouraged staff to contribute ideas.
- Oversaw daily operations of therapy programs and client services.
- Cultivated strong relationships with customers by responding promptly to inquiries or complaints.
- Created detailed plans outlining timelines, goals, budgets, staffing needs and other requirements for projects.
- Delegated work to staff, setting priorities and goals.
- Resolved customer inquiries and complaints requiring management-level escalation.
- Reviewed completed work to verify consistency, quality, and conformance.
- Held regular one-on-one meetings with employees to review performance and priorities and provide feedback.
- Interviewed prospective employees and provided input to HR on hiring decisions.
- Planned and delivered training sessions to improve employee effectiveness and address areas of weakness.
- Supervised medical records team to ensure compliance with healthcare regulations.
Claim Auditer
Optum
Paducah
01.2018 - 03.2021
- Collaborated with team members to design and execute effective audit plans.
- Conducted risk assessments to identify potential areas of fraud or non-compliance.
- Reviewed and analyzed case records to ensure accuracy and completeness.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify and implement process improvements.
- Ensured timely completion of all assigned tasks within set deadlines.
- Maintained confidentiality of company information obtained in audit assignments.
Billing Specialist II
Sumner Physician Practices / Life Point / Highpoint
Gallatin
08.2013 - 10.2016
- Code and bill Inpatient and Outpatient hospital charges for OBGYN, Gastroenterology, and Sports Medicine physicians.
- Process Daily Office claims/charges for 3 Multi-Specialty Clinics/ 5 Physicians.
- Facilitated resolution of coding and billing issues encountered by clinical staff, ensuring compliance and efficiency in operations.
- Investigated claim denial trends to improve approval rates.
- Post payments from both patients and insurance carriers received in various methods, to include Emdeon, ERA, Fax and Mail.
- Assist patients to develop payment plans and facilitate surgery prepayments.
- Train and assist new employees, within the TN CBO, to adhere to the RCG, teach how to navigate eCW and other programs required to perform billing procedures.
- Update patient financial information to ensure billing accuracy.
- Verify patients' insurance coverage, eligibility and claim statuses with insurance payors.
- Precisely complete appropriate supporting documentation for claims reconsideration, Appeals and Overpayment Notifications.
- Review medical records to support and adhere to NCD & LCD laws.
- Assign CPT & ICD9 codes for services/ treatment based on physician documentation.
- Maintain updated knowledge of coding requirements, through continuing education and certification renewal.
- Thoroughly research newly identified diagnoses and/or medical procedures to expand skills and knowledge.
- Update clinic staff and physicians regarding current coding / billing requirements.
- Research questions and concerns from providers and provide detailed responses.
- Conduct cost analysis on various services to be potentially offered by clinics.
- Demonstrate knowledge of HIPAA Privacy and Security Regulations by appropriately handling patient information.
- Use various coding books, procedure manuals and online encoders.
- Demonstrate knowledge of HIPAA Privacy and Security Regulations by appropriately handling patient information.
Billing/ Coding Medical Specialist
Centennial Thoracic Surgical Associates
Nashville
12.2012 - 07.2013
- Code and bill daily Inpatient and Outpatient hospital charges for Thoracic Surgery.
- Assign CPT & ICD9 codes for services/ treatment based on physician documentation.
- Work to resolve claim issues identified with Parallon IET system.
- Update patient financial information to guarantee accuracy.
- Verify patients' eligibility and claims status with insurance agencies.
- Precisely complete appropriate claims paperwork, documentation and system entry.
- Obtained medical records to ensure compliance with NCD & LCD laws.
- Resourcefully use various coding books, procedure manuals and on-line encoders.
- Maintain updated knowledge of coding requirements, through continuing education and certification renewal.
- Keep clinic staff and physicians updated on current coding / billing requirements.
- Assisted clinical staff with coding and billing issues, facilitating smoother operations.
- Researched provider questions and concerns, delivering detailed responses to enhance understanding.
- Demonstrate knowledge of HIPAA Privacy and Security Regulations by appropriately handling patient information.
- General office duties to include: organization, copying, faxing, scanning, emails, filing, using internet for research, etc...
Billing/ Coding Medical Specialist
Clarksville Medical Specialists
Clarksville
08.2010 - 12.2012
- Code and bill daily Inpatient and Outpatient hospital charges for Cardiology, Thoracic Surgery, and Orthopedics.
- Assign CPT & ICD9 codes for services/ treatment based on physician documentation.
- Completed and submitted claims, including appeals for denied claims to ensure reimbursement.
- Resourcefully use various coding books, procedure manuals and online encoders.
- Obtained pre-certification, prior authorization, and prior notification by submitting required documentation to support medically necessary procedures.
- Verify patients' eligibility and claims status with insurance agencies.
- Updated patient financial information to maintain accuracy and uphold billing integrity.
- Precisely complete appropriate claims paperwork, documentation and system entry.
- Obtained medical records to ensure adherence to NCD & LCD laws.
- Maintain updated knowledge of coding requirements, through continuing education and certification renewal.
- Thoroughly research newly identified diagnoses and/or medical procedures to expand skills and knowledge.
- Keep clinic staff and physicians updated on current coding / billing requirements.
- Provided support to clinical staff in addressing coding and billing challenges to maintain billing integrity.
- Research questions and concerns from providers and provide detailed responses.
- Demonstrate knowledge of HIPAA Privacy and Security Regulations by appropriately handling patient information.
Biller / Coder
Cardiology Associates of Paducah
Paducah
12.2009 - 07.2010
- Audited insurance claims for accuracy and compliance with regulations.
- Corrected, appealed, and re-submitted claims with supporting documentation.
- Communicated with insurance adjusters to resolve claim issues, ensuring timely processing and payment.
- Submit secondary CMS 1500 claim forms with primary EOB.
- Obtain Pre-certification for necessary procedures.
- Utilized Allscripts medical software to manage patient information and streamline claims processing.
- Provide teaching to patients related to components of their bill.
- Assist patients with 'budget billing' arrangements.
- General clerical office duties: answer phone calls, faxing, filing, and use of internet to look up claim status for multiple insurance providers to include Medicare and Medicaid.
Education
Certified Coding Specialist-Physician Based (CCS-P) - Medical Billing / Coding
AHIMA
Online03-2013
CCA - Medical Billing & Coding
The University of Tennessee
01-2009
Skills
- CPT and HCPCS coding
- ICD-10 coding
- Payor guidelines knowledge
- Coded data quality
- HIPAA compliance
- EMR software proficiency
- Compliance management
- Process improvement
- Operational leadership
- Payer contract negotiations
- Negotiation strategies
- Executive reporting
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Performance management
- Problem solving
- Staff onboarding
- Anatomy and physiology
- Health information management
Certification
• CCS/CCS-P Certification, AHIMA
• CEMC Certification, AAPC
• Certified Coding Associate, AHIMA
• Knowledge of ICD10, AHIMA / AAPC
• CEMC Certification, AAPC
• Certified Coding Associate, AHIMA
• Knowledge of ICD10, AHIMA / AAPC
Timeline
RCM Director
Emerald Therapy Center
11.2021 - Current
Claim Auditer
Optum
01.2018 - 03.2021
Billing Specialist II
Sumner Physician Practices / Life Point / Highpoint
08.2013 - 10.2016
Billing/ Coding Medical Specialist
Centennial Thoracic Surgical Associates
12.2012 - 07.2013
Billing/ Coding Medical Specialist
Clarksville Medical Specialists
08.2010 - 12.2012
Biller / Coder
Cardiology Associates of Paducah
12.2009 - 07.2010
Certified Coding Specialist-Physician Based (CCS-P) - Medical Billing / Coding
AHIMA
CCA - Medical Billing & Coding
The University of Tennessee