Behavioral Health Services Medical Coder

Job Description:

Behavioral Health Services Medical Coder

Description

Description

Under general supervision, the Behavioral Health Medical Coder plays a key role in ensuring compliance and accuracy in CPT coding for a County Behavioral Health Plan. This role includes performing moderately complex coding and abstracting tasks for outpatient, inpatient, and specialty behavioral health services. The position ensures compliance with Federal and State guidelines, including Medi-Cal and CMS requirements, while supporting providers and staff in maintaining accurate and up-to-date coding practices.

EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE: Some positions may be eligible for an educational incentive of be 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% based on completion of an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree that is not required for the classification.

PAYROLL TITLE: Program Assistant - NE

Program Assistant-NE is a Management, non-exempt classification and is eligible for overtime compensation. Incumbents in this classification are eligible for benefits at the MB-4 level.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-term), and Extra Help vacancies in the Health Care Agency. There is currently one (1) Regular full-time vacancy.

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
Coding and Abstracting:

• Reviews, abstracts, and codes behavioral health service data using current ICD-10-CM, CPT-4, HCPCS, and Medi-Cal-specific coding standards.
• Accurately assigns and sequences diagnosis, procedure, and service codes, ensuring compliance with CMS, DHCS, and other regulatory requirements.
• Applies comprehensive knowledge of anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, and behavioral health service processes to ensure accurate coding.

Provider and Staff Support:

• Conducts coding reviews of provider-submitted documentation, including electronic claims and charge tickets.
• Collaborates with providers and staff to ensure correct documentation and coding alignment.
• Provides education and guidance on CPT, ICD, and HCPCS coding updates, as well as Medi-Cal-specific requirements.

Compliance and Auditing:

• Conducts coding audits to verify compliance with federal, state, and payer-specific regulations.
• Addresses discrepancies and charge errors and supports quality improvement efforts related to coding and billing.
• Monitors compliance with HIPAA, confidentiality, and data security regulations.

Technical and System Support:

• Inputs coding information into the county’s electronic health record (EHR) system and other billing platforms.
• Utilizes coding software, online tools, and reference materials to ensure precision and compliance.
• Assists in implementing policies and procedures to support consistent and compliant coding practices.

Policy Development and Adaptation:

• Stays current on federal and state coding guidelines, including Medi-Cal updates and DHCS initiatives.
• Supports the development and refinement of coding policies and procedures tailored to California’s county behavioral health services.

Typical Qualifications

These are entrance requirements to the exam process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING and EXPERIENCE

Minimum of three (3) years of coding experience using diagnosis and procedure codes in behavioral health or healthcare settings.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess and maintain a current Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), or equivalent certification.
• Training in ICD-10-CM, CPT-4, and HCPCS coding systems.
• Familiarity with Medi-Cal, Medicare, and CMS regulations, particularly those governing behavioral health services.

DESIRED

• Experience with Medi-Cal billing and coding systems.
• Knowledge of California behavioral health regulations and service delivery models.
• Ability to deliver training or workshops for providers and staff.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES

Working knowledge of: medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, and behavioral health service coding; ICD-10-CM, CPT-4, HCPCS and MediCal coding standards; and EHR systems, computerized data systems and coding software.

Strong analytical and organizational skills, with attention to detail and accuracy.

Ability to: identify and resolve coding discrepancies and errors and deliver training or workshops for providers and staff.

Recruitment Process

FINAL FILING DATE: Applications must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources in Ventura, California, no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 14, 2025.

To apply on-line, please refer to our web site at www.ventura.org/jobs. If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.

Note to Applicants: It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications. A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, it/they may not be submitted in lieu of the application.

LATERAL TRANSFER OPTION : If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here for additional information.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this exam at the time of filing. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the exam process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in the application being removed from consideration.

APPLICATION EVALUATION - qualifying: All applications will be reviewed to determine whether the stated requirements are met. Those individuals meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the screening and selection process.

Applicants successfully completing the exam process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year. The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular, Temporary, Fixed-term, Intermittent, or Extra Help vacancies for this position only.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information and driving record will be required for this position.

For further information about this recruitment, please contact Sabrina Anderson by e-mail at Sabrina.Anderson@ventura.org or by telephone at (805) 654-2642.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation

YOUR BENEFITS AS A COUNTY OF VENTURA EMPLOYEE

MANAGEMENT

To learn more about Benefits, Retirement, and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), see links below.

• Benefits website or you may call (805) 654-2570.
• Retirement FAQ's
• Memorandum of Agreement

Union Codes: MB3, MB4, MS, MT, MCC, MU

Closing Date/Time: 4/14/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$73,368.25 - $102,725.64 Annually