Covenant Health

Information Release Coordinator, Health Information Administration

Full Time, 80 Hours Per Pay Period, Day Shift

Based at Methodist Medical Center

Covenant Health Overview:

Covenant Health is the region’s top-performing healthcare network with 10 hospitals, outpatient and specialty services, and Covenant Medical Group, our area’s fastest-growing physician practice division. Headquartered in Knoxville, Covenant Health is a community-owned integrated healthcare delivery system and the area’s largest employer. Our more than 11,000 employees, volunteers, and 1,500 affiliated physicians are dedicated to improving the quality of life for the more than two million patients and families we serve every year. Covenant Health is the only healthcare system in East Tennessee to be named a Forbes “Best Employer” seven times. 

Position Summary:  

Will act as the primary contact and processor of Release of Health Information to the public, attorneys, insurance carriers, law enforcement, Medicare, oversight agencies and the Social Security Administration.  Will fulfill release requests in accordance with all guidelines, Covenant Health policies, State law and Federal HIPAA regulations governing this process.  Serve as an additional HIPAA resource by answering questions, mentoring and educating.  Incumbent will be required to have the ability to recognize valid Subpoenas and prepare certified medical records for court.   Additional responsibility includes reviewing all Medicare Additional Documentation Requests (ADRs) and CERTS to assure completeness.  Incumbent will be required to acquire State of Tennessee Notary Public license.  Will prepare and mail invoices to various organizations to obtain reimbursement of copying charges, as specified by State Regulations.  Incumbent will prepare reports on Release of Information operations and present to HIM Director.  Will process checks and cash payments to ensure timely financial deposits.  A database will be maintained for tracking all health information releases.

Recruiter: Kathleen Rice || kkarnes@covhlth.com || 865-835-3727

• Assists with supervising and evaluating HIM Associates.
• Serves as initial contact between ancillary departments and HIM/Privacy officer in identifying and troubleshooting Release of Information issues and questions.
• Will maintain confidentiality on all patient health information.
• Serves as primary trainer for HIPAA for HIM associates.
• Assesses subpoenas and court orders upon receipt and responds appropriately and timely.
• Will be required to compare billing data with outgoing charts to assure that all elements of Medicare Additional Documentation Requests (ADR’s), CERTS and PRO requests have been met and documents reach CMS contractors timely.
• Must obtain, and remain eligible to hold, a State of Tennessee Notary Public
• Processes invoices for copying charges in a timely manner.
• Must handle cash and checks and do reconciliations of transactions.
• Assesses supply needs and places orders for same.
• Maintains and updates applicable databases, tracks all release of information, produces reports of same.
• Monitors and trends revenue and expenses and assists in projecting future revenue estimates. Plays an integral role in strategic planning and in budgeting for the ROI service. 
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Education:   

None specified; will accept any combination of formal education and/or prior work experience sufficient to demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skill and ability needed to perform the essential tasks of the job, typically such as would be equivalent to a high school diploma or GED.  Preference may be given to individuals possessing an Associate’s degree in a directly-related field from an accredited college or university.

Minimum Experience: 

Some college inclusive of HIPAA courses or a minimum of five (5) years experience in the release of information role.  Must be able to type 25 net words per minute. 

• Must possess a desire to provide excellent customer service and have strong interpersonal skills.
• Maintains thorough knowledge of Covenant Health HIPAA policies as well as all State and Federal guidelines regulating release of personal health information.         
• Must possess good decision-making skills and be able to work independently.
• Must be detail oriented and highly organized.

Licensure Requirement: 

Registered Health Information Technician preferred.