TARA MICHEL
Harlem
Summary
Skilled surgery pro-fee coder prepared to drive accuracy and efficiency in healthcare claims creation. Known for strong analytical skills, attention to detail and knowledge of medical coding systems. Excel in team collaboration, adapting to evolving requirements, and delivering consistent results.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Remote Coder Cardiology and Cardiothoracic
Parallon
Brentwood
03.2014 - 11.2025
- Applied official coding conventions and rules from AMA and CMS to assign CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS codes to procedures and hospital rounds and office visits.
- Utilized electronic medical records systems to store, retrieve and process patient data.
- Maintained high coding standards of 95% accuracy or above by adhering to industry best practices and staying current with emerging technologies.
- Ability to manage significant workload, and to work efficiently under pressure meeting established deadlines with minimal supervision
- Facilitated knowledge sharing within the team by conducting regular code reviews, training sessions, and workshops on relevant topics.
Medical Claims Analyst- Dialysis
inVentiv Medical Management
Augusta
09.2008 - 01.2014
- Audit and Re-price dialysis, DME, lab and other medical claims for Third Party Administrators (TPA) for Self Insured Companies.
- Verify in-network and out of network benefits
- Formulate appeal responses from providers
- Follow up with outside Negotiator on status of outstanding Letter of Agreements
- Scan medical records, claims, insurance and Medicare cards into patient's electronic health record; attach, organize and file into paper chart as well.
- Assist providers with denial of certain CPT codes
- Displaying initiative efficiency and correcting problems so that all policies and expectations are met
- Place multiple phone calls to TPA, Medicare and Dialysis Centers to request medical records, claims and verify treatment/medication regimens.
- Compile patient information, medical records, and claims data to prepare reports for medical director as well as immediate supervisor.
Patient Care Tech/Unit Clerk
Fresenius Medical Care
Augusta
10.2005 - 09.2008
- Responsible for greeting patients as they came in, answering phone, faxing medical records and submission of monthly billing to corporate office.
- Prepare initial patient chart upon admission and compile paperwork for appropriate placement within chart; gather charts for rounding physicians.
- Assist with transfer and lifting patient into and out of dialysis chair.
- Vascular access cannulation; obtain vital signs and safety checks.
- Report any difficulties or unusual findings to the charge nurse.
- Prepare lab specimens, requisition slips and paperwork.
Education
Medical Coding and Billing -
Augusta State University
12.2010
High School -
Westside High School
Augusta, GA05-2004
Skills
- Experienced with EPIC, Patient Keeper, and eCW billing systems
- Experience in secure remote connectivity
- Encoders used: Optum Encoder Pro, 3M
- Specialties coded: Cardiology Diagnostics, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery (heart and lung)
- Procedures experience: CABG, heart valve repairs/replacement, lung procedures (both open and VATS), Heart Caths, and Coronary Interventions, cardio diagnostic testing, EP ablations, and Trans-Caths
References
- Kristine Leseman, 253-241-6342, Former Supervisor at HCA
- Penny Walker, 601-529-8127, Former co-worker
- Gena Dupee, 518-564-7886, Former team-lead
- Kari Johnson, 214-789-6075, Former team-lead
Certification
CPC- Certified Professional Coder
Timeline
Remote Coder Cardiology and Cardiothoracic
Parallon
03.2014 - 11.2025
Medical Claims Analyst- Dialysis
inVentiv Medical Management
09.2008 - 01.2014
Patient Care Tech/Unit Clerk
Fresenius Medical Care
10.2005 - 09.2008
Medical Coding and Billing -
Augusta State University
High School -
Westside High School