Want a remote nursing side gig? Try HEDIS Abstraction!
Remote HEDIS Abstraction can be a great way to break into remote nursing, data abstraction & quality improvement!
What is HEDIS?
HEDIS stands for the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set. It is a tool used every year by the majority of health plans to measure quality of care.
Some HEDIS measures include childhood immunizations, cancer screenings, diabetes care, hypertension control, behavioral health monitoring, and more. Because of the wide variety of specialty areas, HEDIS Abstraction has something to offer for almost any nurse.
For more info on HEDIS, check out the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and the full list of HEDIS Measures.
What is HEDIS Data Abstraction?
Data abstraction is the process of transforming a full story into useable data for quality monitoring and research.
HEDIS nurses review medical records and abstract information like blood pressure readings, dates of immunizations, and results of diabetic eye exams. This data is tracked on a larger scale to measure the quality of care given by providers & health plans.
When is HEDIS season?
The HEDIS cycle is a year-round effort. HEDIS data abstraction is just one (significant) piece of that cycle where nurses evaluate charts from the previous year.
HEDIS Data Abstraction is a seasonal gig running from February-May every year. It’s a great way to build supplemental cashflow and test out how you like working remotely.
What is the pay for HEDIS abstraction?
Typically Remote HEDIS Abstraction nurses will make anywhere from $25-$35+ per hour depending on experience, location, and company.
Some companies offer a flat hourly rate, while others offer a “per-chart” arrangement (typically $3-7 per chart, depending on the complexity of the cases assigned).
There are full-time and part-time opportunities. Some companies operate on a routine M-F 8-5 schedule, while others allow you to work WHENEVER!
Are all HEDIS Abstraction Jobs Remote?
No. In fact, many HEDIS positions are local/field-based and require the nurse to travel to physician offices and review charts on-site.
However, more and more companies are offering remote HEDIS abstraction opportunities where these medical records are uploaded to electronic portals that can be reviewed by nurses working remotely from home (in their pajamas)!
How do I become qualified for HEDIS abstraction?
Most nurses gain experience on the job (typically in the field positions first). Having at least 1 season under your belt will make you much more marketable for remote HEDIS abstraction roles in subsequent seasons.
However, every year there seems to be 1-2 companies that will hire remote nurse HEDIS abstractors with NO experience.
If you have any quality monitoring, data abstraction, or indirect HEDIS experience, make sure to highlight that (heavily) in your resume.
Side note: if you are in need of a new nursing resume, check out The Resume RX! Amanda is an NP and Nursing Resume expert who offers resume templates and her signature Resume Makeover Pro Course (which I highly recommend – use coupon “REMOTE” for 20% off!).
Do HEDIS positions offer benefits?
Not usually. Many HEDIS abstraction positions are contract, temporary, seasonal jobs that do not offer benefits.
You will likely be a 1099 independent contractor, meaning you employ yourself and need to manage your own tax responsibility (taxes are not taken out of every paycheck). You should set aside about 30% of your paycheck for this and be sure to track your total seasonal income for reporting on your tax return. It’s a good idea to discuss this with your accountant!
Which Companies Hire Remote HEDIS Nurses?
Molina
And More!
When Should I Start Looking for HEDIS positions?
HEDIS Abstraction job postings start going up in early Fall, from September-November.
Here are some common job titles you may see:
HEDIS Abstractor
HEDIS Abstraction Nurse
HEDIS Review Nurse
Abstraction Nurse
Quality Abstractor
Data Abstractor
HEDIS Specialist
You can find current Remote HEDIS positions on The Remote Nurse Job Board!
P.S. – Did you know that members of The Remote Nurse Membership get job alerts 1 whole week before our larger community? Getting your apps in first can really help for these highly competitive remote nursing jobs, like HEDIS.
Takeaway
HEDIS abstraction can be a great option for nurses looking to make supplemental income while never stepping foot outside their house (no, really, HEDIS season can get so busy that you may not leave the house for 5 months).
Make sure to figure out your local grocery delivery services ahead of time. Get comfortable with wearing the same disgusting clothes for days on end.
As a hermit who loves making money and neglects personal hygiene on the regular, I’m all in! How about you??
