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Ancillary Coding Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

... ancillary outpatient encounters. -Abides by the standards of Ethical Coding as set forth by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and adheres to all official coding ...

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Ancillary Coding information

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$10

$28

$64

How much do ancillary coding jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for ancillary coding in California is $28.09, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.71 and $33.66 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Ancillary Coding vs Medical Billing Specialist?

AspectAncillary CodingMedical Billing Specialist
CredentialsCertified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Coding Associate (CCA)Billing and Coding Certification (CBC), CPC often preferred
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, outpatient facilitiesMedical offices, billing companies, healthcare providers
Job FocusAssigning codes for procedures and diagnoses in ancillary servicesProcessing claims, billing patients, insurance follow-up
Industry UsageUsed mainly in outpatient and hospital settings for codingUsed across healthcare settings for billing and claims processing

Ancillary Coding primarily involves assigning medical codes for outpatient procedures and services, focusing on accurate documentation for billing purposes. Medical Billing Specialists handle the entire billing process, including submitting claims and managing payments. While both roles require coding knowledge and certifications, Ancillary Coding is more specialized in coding procedures, whereas Medical Billing Specialists focus on the billing cycle and insurance claims.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Ancillary Coder, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Ancillary Coder, you need a solid understanding of medical terminology, anatomy, and coding systems such as ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS, often supported by a coding certification like CPC or CCS. Familiarity with electronic health records (EHRs), coding software, and medical billing platforms is typically required. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and effective communication are vital soft skills for ensuring coding accuracy and resolving discrepancies. These skills are crucial for ensuring compliant, accurate reimbursement and minimizing claim denials in healthcare organizations.

What is ancillary coding?

Ancillary coding refers to the process of assigning medical codes to services and procedures that support patient care but are not the primary reason for a healthcare visit. These services can include laboratory tests, radiology imaging, physical therapy, and other supportive treatments. Ancillary coders ensure that these services are accurately documented and billed, supporting proper reimbursement and compliance with healthcare regulations. The role requires knowledge of medical terminology, coding systems such as CPT and ICD-10, and attention to detail.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in Ancillary Coding, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Ancillary Coding often encounter challenges such as keeping up with frequent updates to coding regulations, accurately interpreting complex medical documentation, and ensuring compliance with payer requirements. Staying current through ongoing education, participating in regular team training sessions, and utilizing robust coding resources can help address these challenges. Collaborating closely with healthcare providers and billing teams also promotes accuracy and efficiency, helping to minimize claim denials and improve reimbursement rates.
What are the most commonly searched types of Ancillary Coding jobs in California? The most popular types of Ancillary Coding jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Ancillary Coding jobs in California? For Ancillary Coding jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Ancillary Coding jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Ancillary Coding jobs in California are:
Infographic showing various Ancillary Coding job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $58,427 per year, or $28.1 per hour.
Outpatient Coding Assistant Director

Outpatient Coding Assistant Director

University of California San Francisco

Emeryville, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago


University Of California San Francisco rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

32nd of 555 rated colleges and universities


Job description


Typically manages multiple or all units in the health information management department. Ensures operations are in place for retention and security of patient care information. Interfaces with departments from across the organization such as clinical, research, legal and reimbursement.
Under the direction of UCSF HIMS Leadership and in partnership with the Clinical Documentation Integrity program and related Apex Programs, this position is accountable for driving the implementation of the organizational best practices at UCSF HIMS Health to achieve optimum overall performance.
This position is accountable for driving strategic and value programs within UCSF Health HIMS to support a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and high-value patient care. This position is responsible for overseeing projects and process improvement initiatives at each of the HIMS locations.
Ensures operations are in place to support the retention and security of patient care information. Interfaces with departments across UCSF and BCHO, including clinical, research, legal, and reimbursement.
Department Overview
The Health Information Management and Coding department is a dynamic group of individuals working towards a common goal of excellence. UCSF has a robust outpatient coding department that oversees same-day surgeries, observation, the emergency department, and simple visit coding.
Responsibilities
of time
Essential Function (Yes/No)
Key Responsibilities
(To be completed by Supervisor)
70
Y
  • Directs all outpatient coding operations across multiple coding specialties, including surgery, ancillary, emergency department, and HCC coding.
  • Sets annual strategy and goals for the outpatient coding staff, identifying key priorities, increase revenue opportunities, educational needs, and DNB expectations.
  • Establishes departmental goals, performance standards, and strategic priorities for outpatient coding services.
  • Leads the outpatient coding compliance program, including RAC audit response, coding quality initiatives, and regulatory readiness activities.
  • Serves as a member of the Coding senior leadership team and participates in departmental strategic planning and operational decision-making.
  • Develops and implements coding policies, procedures, and operational standards impacting coding operations across UCSF Health.
  • Provides leadership for major coding transformation initiatives, workflow redesign, and organizational performance improvement efforts.
  • Establishes processes, metrics and monitoring systems to maximize reimbursement. Provides recommendations and corrective action as appropriate.
  • Ensures implementation of all health information and coding policies; establishes and revises procedures as needed. Researches best practices to maintain currency with industry trends.
  • Ensures timely follow up on aging accounts, answers coding questions, trends findings and works with other departments to address ongoing issues.

15
Y
  • Applies proven human resource management skills in staff selection, development, and evaluation.
  • Fosters a strong culture of teamwork and quality customer service to all constituencies to ensure the quality of daily revenue cycle operations, effective interdepartmental collaborations, and the timely achievement of objectives.
  • Recommends changes in staffing, performs recruiting and onboarding, verifies new hires meet standards. Updates position descriptions. Conducts performance evaluations and defines development goals.

15
Y
  • Collaborates with leadership from business units across the medical center (decision support, reimbursement, billing, medical records, clinical units, etc.), to propose new or revised standardization of criteria and measurements, improve workflows, coordinate activities, and resolve issues.
  • Partners with information technology on enhancements and new systems for efficient billing, AR and patient accounting processes.
  • Partners with Compliance to implement RAC audit findings, establish corrective actions, provide coder education.

100%
(To update total %, enter the amount of time in whole numbers (without the % symbol - e.g., 15, 20) then highlight the total sum (e.g., 1%) at the bottom of the column and press F9. The total sum should add up to 100%.)
Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
  • 5+ years in a health information management or coding management position
  • CERTIFICATION: Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) or Certified Coding Specialist - Physician-based (CCS-P) coding certification for AHIMA or AAPC
  • Strong knowledge of healthcare coding, revenue cycle operations, concepts, and policies and their impact throughout the organization, with an in-depth understanding of related functions and issues, including ICD-10-CM, CPT 4, and HCPCS coding, billing, reimbursements, and charge capture.
  • Strong project management skills with the ability to organize, manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and delegate assignments efficiently.
  • Demonstrated leadership and managerial skills, with the ability to create and maintain a goal-oriented climate of teamwork and cooperation across departments for effective problem solving, conflict resolution, support for organizational values, and consistent achievement of targets and objectives
  • Strong critical-thinking, project-management, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot, analyze, and interpret complex data and systems, to quickly identify problems and implement solutions.
  • Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills to prepare and present reports and convey complex information and instructions in a clear, concise, and specific manner. Ability to cultivate a strong commitment to quality, teamwork, collaborative problem-solving, and achievement of objectives.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATION
  • Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) or Certified Coding Specialist - Physician-based (CCS-P) coding certification for AHIMA or AAPC

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Associate's degree in health information management
  • CERTIFICATION: RHIA, RHIT certification from AHIMA
  • Ability to work effectively with leadership on establishing operational goals and providing for technological upgrades, tools and systems to maximize revenues.
  • Strong knowledge of metrics, analytics, and data synthesis in healthcare revenue cycle management and their use to identify trends, produce reliable forecasts and projections, and create reports, dashboards, and presentations.
  • Strong knowledge of all relevant information technology, including systems, tools, applications, processes, and methodologies.

About Us
About UCSF
The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It is the only campus in the 10-campus UC system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. We bring together the world's leading experts in nearly every area of health. We are home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced the understanding of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, aging and stem cells.
Pride Values
UCSF is a diverse community made of people with many skills and talents. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence - also known as our PRIDE values.
In addition to our PRIDE values, UCSF is committed to equity - both in how we deliver care as well as our workforce. We are committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care. Additional information about UCSF is available here.
Join us to find a rewarding career contributing to improving healthcare worldwide.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
Salary Information
The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy.
Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement.
To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

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