Diagnosis Related Group (DRG) / Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) Auditor

EXL USA Healthcare is seeking an IRF Auditor III to join our team. This role offers a fully remote work experience with possible 10% travel per year for team meetings and limited client onsite engagements. The rest of the time, you will enjoy the flexibility of working from your home office. Salary Range $70,000 - $110,000 Based on experience, skills, and qualifications Location 100% Remote U.S.-based Travel Up to 10% Annual Travel Team meetings and limited client onsite engagements A brief coding/auditing assessment may be included as part of the interview process. For more information on benefits and what we offer, please visit: https://www.exlservice.com/us-careers-and-benefits The posted range is the hiring range for this role - a subset of the broader range available to employees over time - and reflects base salary across our national hiring scale. Final offers are based on several factors, including the candidate's skills and experience, internal pay equity, work location, market conditions for the role, and the specific scope and responsibilities of the position. The top of the range is reserved for candidates who notably exceed the requirements; the lower end applies to those with less experience or fewer preferred qualifications. For positions based in higher-cost zones (e.g., California, New York, New Jersey), actual compensation may exceed the posted range; your recruiter will share specifics during the process. Why EXL? At EXL, we believe in fostering an environment where employees can learn, grow, and succeed. We provide industry-leading training, career development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package so you can focus on delivering excellence in IRF payment integrity auditing. If you are looking for a role where your expertise can make a real impact while maintaining work-life balance, this is it! What You’ll Do: Conduct comprehensive IRF payment integrity audits using the IRF-PAI, UB-04/final bill, acute inpatient discharge summary, complete IRF medical record, therapy documentation, physician orders and notes, nursing notes, MAR, history and physical, pre-admission screening, individualized overall plan of care, and interdisciplinary team documentation. Validate IRF-PAI completion and supporting documentation, including impairment group, etiologic diagnosis, date of onset, comorbid conditions, and complication/comorbidity reporting, based on client requirements and applicable CMS/IRF-PAI guidance. Identify documentation, coding, and reimbursement discrepancies that may impact IRF payment, including unsupported diagnoses, comorbidities not treated or not clinically supported during the IRF stay, or diagnoses carried forward from the prior acute inpatient stay without IRF-level support. Review client payment methodology and contract requirements where applicable, including IRF PPS/HIPPS, per diem, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and commercial reimbursement variations. Craft clear, concise, and well-supported audit findings that explain the documentation reviewed, the rationale for the finding, and the financial/reimbursement impact. Collaborate with clinical SMEs, nurses, physicians, analytics, and client-facing teams when audit scope includes medical necessity, contract interpretation, selection logic, or payer-specific requirements. Manage complex and lengthy IRF records with strong attention to detail, ensuring all relevant therapy, nursing, physician, and interdisciplinary documentation is considered before finalizing findings. Meet or exceed EXL quality and productivity standards while maintaining strong defensibility of audit findings and appeal outcomes. Stay current with IRF reimbursement updates, CMS guidance, IRF-PAI manual updates, ICD-10-CM/PCS coding updates, and payer-specific policy changes. Adhere to HIPAA, information security, and EXL policies and procedures to ensure data security and regulatory compliance. What We’re Looking For: Education & Credentials: Minimum High School Diploma required; higher education preferred. CCS, RHIA, RHIT, CIC, or CPC credential preferred; multiple credentials strongly preferred. Clinical licensure or rehabilitation facility experience is a plus when client scope includes medical necessity review. Experience & Expertise: 4+ years of inpatient facility coding, auditing, payment integrity, or reimbursement review experience. Prior experience with IRF audits, IRF-PAI review, IRF PPS/HIPPS methodology, rehabilitation facility documentation, or inpatient rehabilitation reimbursement is highly desirable. Strong understanding of ICD-10-CM/PCS, inpatient facility claim review, medical record abstraction, and payer reimbursement methodologies. Experience reviewing lengthy medical records and tying documentation to reimbursement impact, treatment during the IRF stay, and payer/client requirements. Key Skills & Attributes: Expert-level inpatient auditing mindset with the ability to distinguish IRF-PAI documentation requirements from traditional acute-care DRG coding logic. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills with excellent attention to detail. Self-motivated and able to work independently in a remote environment while maintaining high quality and productivity. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write clear audit rationale and collaborate with internal/client stakeholders. Proficient in Excel, Word, OneNote, and general computer literacy; experience with audit workflow tools and encoder/reference tools preferred. Commitment to teamwork, collaboration, continuous learning, and defensible audit outcomes. Required Skills Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) IRF-PAI IRF PPS / HIPPS Methodology ICD-10-CM/PCS Medical Record Review Payment Integrity Auditing Reimbursement Methodology Documentation Validation Audit Findings Writing Attention to Detail Computer Literacy Microsoft Office Internal Communications Interpersonal Relationship Building Working Under Pressure What We Offer A fast-paced, innovative environment with a team of industry-leading experts. Hands-on experience with top-tier clients in the healthcare industry. Mentorship and career development programs to help you grow professionally. A strong culture of collaboration, support, and inclusivity. Competitive benefits package, including healthcare, vision, dental, and 401(k) options. Ready to Take Your Career to the Next Level? If you are looking for a rewarding and challenging opportunity where your expertise will be valued, your growth will be supported, and your contributions will make a difference, apply today and become part of the EXL team! About Us EXL (NASDAQ: EXLS) is a leading data analytics and digital operations and solutions company. We partner with clients using a data and AI-led approach to reinvent business models, drive better business outcomes and unlock growth with speed. EXL harnesses the power of data, analytics, AI, and deep industry knowledge to transform operations for the world’s leading corporations in industries including insurance, healthcare, banking and financial services, media and retail, among others. EXL was founded in 1999 with the core values of innovation, collaboration, excellence, integrity and respect. For more information, visit www.exlservice.com. EXL never requires or asks for fees/payments or credit card or bank details during any phase of the recruitment or hiring process and has not authorized any agencies or partners to collect any fee or payment from prospective candidates. EXL will only extend a job offer after a candidate has gone through a formal interview process with members of EXL’s Human Resources team, as well as our hiring managers.