Health Information Management

Debra L. Weller, RHIA, CHTS-PM

*** ******** **** ********** ** 31757

Cell 850-***-****

*************@*****.***

EDUCATION

University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida

Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management, 1988

University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida

Associate of Arts, 1986

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION

Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)

AHIMA Certified Healthcare Technology Specialist-Project Manager (CHTS-PM)

-IT competency in assessing workflows, software/hardware selection, install and testing of systems, training of staff for EHR implementation.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experienced in EHR systems use and implementation including Paragon/Horizon Patient Folder and Cerner Millennium

Experience in Revenue Cycle management and successful DNFB reduction as Lead for Unbilled Reduction Team. Member of Rev Cycle Committee and Denials Team.

Experience in Clinical Documentation Improvement including physician education.

Facility Privacy Officer with experience in HIPAA education for new staff members.

Clinical Documentation Improvement staff management.

ADMINISTRATIVE AND MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE

Archbold Memorial Hospital

Director of Health Information Management

(November 2019- present)

Responsible for Coding of all patient types for main Thomasville Hospital and 3 other system hospitals.

Responsible for all release of information for all patients included physician practices owned by Archbold.

Maintains operations to provide accurate tracking of incomplete/delinquent records.

Responsible for maintaining statistics used in physician record completion program.

Maintains current working knowledge of all applicable standards and regulatory requirements.

Responsible for Medical Record / Health Information Management Forms Committee functions.

Monitors department activities to ensure compliance with The Joint Commission.

Responsible for developing, maintaining and monitoring capital and operational budgets for department.

Provides for staff recruitment, selection, training, supervision, evaluation and disciplinary actions Currently all staff is employed by Archbold with no contract staff.

Responsible for demonstrating and ensuring high levels of customer service for all internal & external customers.

Responsible for assisting Compliance Officer with HIPAA related privacy matters, investigation and reporting of privacy breeches.

Responsible for record storage and compliance with record retention guidelines for all facility records. Extensive oversight of data warehouse.

Management of DNFB for coding.

Accomplishments:

Improved physician delinquent chart rate at Archbold from > 1100 delinquent to 250 delinquents within a 10- month period.

Implementation of Coding Audit process and Coding Accuracy improvement plan to include Coder education.

Managed staff through COVID pandemic to include redeployment, work from home, and enforcement of masking and safety requirements.

Elimination of transcription services for all providers and services resulting in significant cost savings.

Reinstated medical record review process to monitor documentation quality.

Promotion of education for all staff through Hometown Health.

Bay Medical Center Sacred Heart

Director of Health Information Management and Facility Privacy Officer

(Sept 2015-November 2019)

Responsible for ICD-9-CM / ICD-10-CM & CPT-4 coding accuracy and standards.

Responsible for all recordkeeping functions, systems, and release of information for all inpatients, outpatient, ER patients and Physician owned practices.

Maintains operations to provide accurate tracking of incomplete medical records.

Responsible for maintaining statistics used in physician record completion program.

Provides for legally complete medical records as dictated by all regulatory bodies and Risk Management.

Maintains current working knowledge of all applicable standards and regulatory requirements.

Responsible for Medical Record / Health Information Management Forms Committee functions.

Monitors department activities to ensure compliance with The Joint Commission.

Responsible for developing, maintaining and monitoring capital and operational budgets for department.

Provides for staff recruitment, selection, training, supervision, evaluation and disciplinary actions.

Responsible for demonstrating and ensuring high levels of customer service for all internal & external customers.

Responsible for HIPAA related privacy matters, investigation and reporting of privacy breeches.

Responsible for record storage and compliance with record retention guidelines for all facility records.

Management of Clinical Documentation Improvement.

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Citrus Memorial Health System/Parallon

Director, Health Information Management Department and Co- FPO (August 2007-Sept. 2015)

Responsible for Management of H.I.M. Department with staff of 24 including 2 Supervisors

Responsible for development and implementation of privacy and confidentiality policies of patient health information including EHR.

Leader of Unbilled Improvement Team- monitor and manage unbilled accounts.

Leader of Communications Team for Pursuit of Excellence initiatives

Ensures compliance with regulatory standards for CMS, HIPAA and JC

Revenue Cycle improvement initiatives includes collaboration with Case Mgmt., Billing, and Patient Access/Registration to improve coding/billing processes. Established/facilitated multidisciplinary team to address and resolve issues.

Medical Group of North Florida

Billing Manager (Oct. 2004-August 2007)

Responsible for managing insurance billing for large physician practice consisting of 12 multi-specialty physicians with 7 ARNPs.

Responsible for charge billing, remit posting and coding for reimbursement.

Manages A/R for all insurances and billing error resolution.

Assists with insurance contract negotiation and physician credentialing.

Serves as Privacy Officer for the practice to ensure compliance with privacy regulations.

Developed privacy policies and billing compliance policies.

Capital Regional Medical Center (formerly Tallahassee Community Hospital), Tallahassee, Florida

Director of Health Information Management (June 1997-Oct. 2004)

Responsible for managing Health Information Management Services Department consisting of 17 employees.

Development and implementation of policies and procedures for all departmental functions and regulatory compliance (i.e. JC, CMS and AHCA). Assists in budget development.

Responsible for ICD-9-CM and CPT Coding for reimbursement and extensive involvement in revenue cycle for bill error resolution as it relates to coding and charges.

Responsible for development and implementation of departmental Performance Improvement process.

Responsible for assessment/development of current procedures, policies, documents and processes in regards to JC preparedness.

Implemented procedures/policies and developed documents for JC compliance.

Achieved JC Certification with commendation with no recommendations for HIM Department.

Columbia University General Hospital, Seminole, Florida

Seminole Women’s Hospital, Seminole, Florida

Pinellas Community Hospital, Pinellas Park, Florida

Director of Health Information Management (April 1995-March 1997)

Provided supervision and leadership for the Health Information Management Departments for three hospitals in the Largo/Seminole area.

Supervision of 12 employees including 1 Manager, 1 Supervisor, and 10 staff employees.

Responsible for development and implementation of departmental Quality Improvement program and budget. Provided analytical reports on Medicare case mix to C.F.O. and was responsible for analyzing and submitting hospital data to regulatory agencies.

Monitoring of coding compliance via review of ICD-9-CM code assignment.

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