Megan Lucado, RHIA, CPC, CIRCC, CDEO

Personal Summary

I am a motivated and hard-working individual, currently completing my Master of Science in Data Science at Eastern University with an expected graduation in May 2025. Additionally, I work as a Radiology Medical Coder at Wellstar MCG Health. I am eager to utilize my programming, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to expand my skillset in the data sector. I am very self-driven, always on time, and detail oriented.

Skills

• Programming/Visualization: Python, Scikit-learn, R, SQL, Git, ggplot, Tableau, Excel
• Analytical Techniques: machine learning, statistical analysis, regression analysis
• Software: SAS, Epic, 3M Encoder/3M Reference, Optum 360, FinThrive, IDX Smart Term & Claims Manager, Imagine, Clario, Optum, PowerScribe, Cerner
• Domain Knowledge: Government Contracting, CMS Policies (LCDs, NCDs, NCCI, MUE, etc.), HIPAA and Patient Confidentiality, Clinical Documentation, Radiology Coding Guidelines (ICD-10-CM, CPT, HCPCS Level II)
• Soft Skills: set priorities and meet deadlines, follow all safety rules and regulations, excellent in communicating orally and in writing

Experience

Radiology Medical Coder (Remote) @ Wellstar MCG Health (November 2023 – Current)

• Reviewed and assigned accurate CPT and ICD-10-CM codes for a wide range of Interventional Radiology (IR) procedures, including embolization, thrombolysis, thrombectomy, etc., ensuring compliance with coding standards and LCD/NCD policies, resulting in improved claims accuracy and timely reimbursements
• Collaborated with providers on coding guidelines, enhancing documentation integrity and achieving an increase in coding accuracy
• Analyzed claim errors to secure appropriate payment of denied claims, improving reimbursement outcomes
• Investigated and interpreted claims, successfully resolving disputes and improving reimbursement outcomes

National RCM Radiology Coding Educator (Remote) @ Radiology Partners (March 2022 – September 2023)

• Conducted quality assurance (QA) audits on coding vendors, ensuring accuracy both before and after claims submission, resulting in improved compliance and reduced error rates
• Developed & delivered educational content to stakeholders on Diagnostic & Interventional Radiology coding guidelines & application, enhancing their coding knowledge and improving documentation integrity & revenue turnaround times
• Educated stakeholders on CMS LCD and NCD policies, ensuring clear communication and understanding, which led to increased compliance and improved reimbursement outcomes
• Oversaw the coding education & addendum request process on a national scale, streamlining operations and enhancing efficiency, which resulted in more timely updates and consistent application of coding standards
• Analyzed and interpreted Medicare RAC audits to identify discrepancies, effectively resolving issues, which minimized financial risks and ensured compliance

Senior Medical Coder (Remote) @ AU Health (October 2019 – March 2022)

• Reviewed and assigned accurate CPT and ICD-10-CM codes for a wide range of Interventional Radiology (IR) procedures, including embolization, thrombolysis, thrombectomy, etc., ensuring compliance with coding standards and LCD/NCD policies, resulting in improved claims accuracy and timely reimbursements
• Collaborated with providers on coding guidelines, enhancing documentation integrity and achieving an increase in coding accuracy
• Analyzed claim errors to secure appropriate payment of denied claims, improving reimbursement outcomes
• Investigated and interpreted claims, successfully resolving disputes and improving reimbursement outcomes

Projects

These projects reside in my private repository to uphold academic policies as they were developed as part of my college coursework

Early Identification of At-Risk Students Through Predictive Modeling | December 2024

• Developed and evaluated predictive models using Linear, Lasso, and Support Vector Machine Regression to forecast student performance, achieving 78% accuracy and a 2.13-point margin of error. Preprocessed data via pipelines and feature engineering, combining correlated variables and imputing missing values. Optimized models for performance and scalability, enabling early identification of at-risk students. Documented methodologies, results, and actionable insights to support production implementation, improving academic intervention strategies through advanced machine learning techniques.
• Technologies Used: Python (including libraries such as Scikit-learn, Pandas, NumPy, Matplotlib)

CMS BRFSS Logistic Regression Model | October 2024

• Used CMS’s 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data to develop a logistic regression model that predicts the likelihood of depressive disorder based on gender. Males were the reference group, and the results show that females have 127.8% higher odds of having a depressive disorder compared to males (OR = 2.28).
• Technologies Used: R (including packages such as dplyr, ggplot2, lsr, readr)

Health Information Management (HIM) Excel Dashboard | April 2024

• Developed an excel dashboard that demonstrates the volume of documentation being received by the image processing department. The dashboard was used to determine staff needs as Wellstar MCG Health completes their merger.
• Technologies Used: Excel, PowerPoint, PowerChart

Education

Eastern University | Anticipated Graduation May 2025

• Master of Science in Data Science

Augusta University | Graduated May 2024

• Bachelor of Science in Health Information Administration

Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College | Graduated July 2021

• Associate in Science
  • Member of Presidential Scholars Program
  • Member of Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society
  • Coursework included: nursing level Anatomy & Physiology

Hunter-Kinard-Tyler High School | Graduated May 2014

• High School Diploma
  • Member of National Honors Society
  • Class Rank 4 out of 42

Honors/Awards

• Magna Cum Laude – Latin Honors Distinction

  May 2024

• Phi Kappa Phi – Honors Society Member

  April 2024

• 1 of 15 National Merit Scholars - American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)

  November 2022

Certifications/Volunteer

American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)

• AHIMA ID: 2910934
• Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) Obtained 2024

American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)

• Member ID Number: 01749551
• Certified Documentation Expert Outpatient (CDEO) Obtained 2022
• Certified Interventional Radiology Cardiovascular Coder (CIRCC) Obtained 2021
• Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Obtained 2019

AAPC Vice President

• Augusta, GA Chapter 2021