CDI RN DRG Downgrades Appeals Review Specialist

• St.
• Luke's is proud of the skills, experience and compassion of its employees.
• The employees of St.
• Luke's are our most valuable asset!
• Individually and together, our employees are dedicated to satisfying the mission of our organization which is an unwavering commitment to excellence as we care for the sick and injured; educate physicians, nurses and other health care providers; and improve access to care in the communities we serve, regardless of a patient's ability to pay for health care.
• The CDI RN DRG Downgrades Appeals Review Specialist is responsible for the retrospective clinical review and defense of inpatient DRG downgrades, clinical validation denials, and medical necessity determinations issued by governmental and commercial payers.
• JOB

Duties and Responsibilities

Conduct retrospective clinical record reviews to evaluate DRG downgrades, clinical validation denials, and medical necessity determinations. Analyze documentation in conjunction with MS-DRG logic and ICD-10-CM/PCS coding guidelines to determine appeal opportunity. Develop and submit defensible first- and second-level appeal letters using clinical evidence, regulatory guidance, coding standards, and payer policy. Collaborate with Physician Advisors, Coding leadership, and CDI to support higher-level appeals (e.g., IRO, ALJ, payer conferences). Identify denial trends and provide structured feedback to Coding and CDI leadership to reduce future payer vulnerability. Participate in payer audit response processes (RAC, QIO, MIC, commercial auditors) and assist in preparation for formal appeal proceedings. Maintain accurate documentation within EPIC, payer audit platforms, and internal tracking tools to support reporting and performance monitoring. Review denial data and appeal outcomes to assist leadership in assessing revenue impact, case resolution trends, and operational improvement opportunities. Maintain current knowledge of MS-DRG methodology, ICD-10-CM/PCS coding guidelines, clinical validation standards, federal and commercial payer policies, and medical necessity criteria. Serve as a clinical resource regarding documentation specificity and disease process validation as it relates to reimbursement defense. PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS: Sitting, standing and light lifting. Repetitive arm/finger use retrieving/viewing computerized patient medical record and abstracting of patient information. Corrected vision and hearing to within normal range. Hearing as it relates to normal conversation. Works inside with adequate lighting, comfortable temperature and ventilation. EDUCATION: Registered Nurse required. BSN preferred. Active RN license required. CDI certification (CDIP, CCDS) required. TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE: Minimum five (5) years RN experience in adult inpatient acute care (medical/surgical or critical care). Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) experience required. DRG downgrade or clinical validation denial experience strongly preferred. Utilization review or payer medical review experience preferred. Familiarity with MS-DRG reimbursement methodology. Demonstrated understanding of disease pathophysiology and documentation specificity requirements. Working knowledge of ICD-10-CM/PCS fundamentals. Understanding of payer audit and appeal processes. Experience with EPIC and encoder tools (e.g., 3M) required. Please complete your application using your full legal name and current home address. Be sure to include employment history for the past seven (7) years, including your present employer. Additionally, you are encouraged to upload a current resume, including all work history, education, and/or certifications and licenses, if applicable. It is highly recommended that you create a profile at the conclusion of submitting your first application. Thank you for your interest in St. Luke's!! St. Luke's University Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Founded in 1872, St. Luke’s University Health Network (SLUHN) is a fully integrated, regional, non-profit network of more than 23,000 employees providing services at 16 campuses and 350+ outpatient sites. With annual net revenue in excess of $4 billion, the Network’s service area includes 11 counties in two states: Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Montgomery, Monroe, Schuylkill and Luzerne counties in Pennsylvania and Warren and Hunterdon counties in New Jersey. St. Luke’s hospitals operate the largest network of trauma centers in Pennsylvania, with the Bethlehem Campus being home to St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital. SLUHN is the only Lehigh Valley-based health care system to earn Medicare’s five-star ratings (the highest) for quality, efficiency and patient satisfaction. It is both a Leapfrog Group and Healthgrades Top Hospital and a Newsweek World’s Best Hospital. The Network’s flagship University Hospital has earned the 100 Top Major Teaching Hospital designation from Premier 13 times total and eleven years in a row, including in 2023 when it was identified as THE #4 TEACHING HOSPITAL IN THE COUNTRY. In 2021, St. Luke’s was identified as one of the 15 Top Health Systems nationally. St. Luke’s is the ONLY health care institution in the Lehigh Valley to be named a Top Workplace regionally repeating the exclusive honor for the third year in a row. Also, for the third straight year, St. Luke’s has been a Top Workplaces in the Philadelphia Region by the Philadelphia Inquirer, ranking 9th in the large employer category for 2025 and the only health care system in PA to receive this award. In 2025, St. Luke’s was recognized as a national Top Workplaces by USA Today, three years in a row, including the 3rd best health care system in the nation in 2023 and 2024. Lastly, in 2025, St. Luke’s was named a Top Workplace in New Jersey for the third year in a row. Learn More Here.