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Assistant Coder Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

... * Assist with internal and external audits, including RAC, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and ... Monitor changes in coding guidelines, reimbursement methodologies, and regulatory requirements

$33 - $38/hr

DRG Coder Department: HS - UM Employment Type: Full Time Location: 600 City Parkway West 10th Floor ... * Assist with internal and external audits, including RAC, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and ...

Coder II (Outpatient-SDS)

Upland, CA · On-site

$28.52 - $42.78/hr

Coding should be complete, timely, and in accordance with CMS, Coding Clinic Guidelines, CPT Assistant, and organizational policies and procedures. The Coder II is responsible for entering charges ...

Inpatient Coder

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$26.75 - $32.25/hr

... CPT Assistant, NCCI Edits, CMS, OSHPD and Kaiser Permanentes organizational and institutional coding guidelines. Essential Responsibilities: * Coding and Abstracting: Reviews medical record ...

Inpatient Coder

Oakland, CA · On-site

$25 - $30.25/hr

... CPT Assistant, NCCI Edits, CMS, OSHPD and Kaiser Permanentes organizational and institutional coding guidelines. Essential Responsibilities: * Coding and Abstracting: Reviews medical record ...

Inpatient Coder

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$25.50 - $31/hr

... CPT Assistant, NCCI Edits, CMS, OSHPD and Kaiser Permanentes organizational and institutional coding guidelines. Essential Responsibilities: * Coding and Abstracting: Reviews medical record ...

Inpatient Coder

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$25.25 - $30.50/hr

... CPT Assistant, NCCI Edits, CMS, OSHPD and Kaiser Permanentes organizational and institutional coding guidelines. Essential Responsibilities: * Coding and Abstracting: Reviews medical record ...

Medical Coder

Monterey, CA · On-site

$21.74 - $29.22/hr

When needed, assist the AR Specialist with a complicated coding denial. Furthermore, the coder assists with creating an appeal letter regarding the coding denial along with any supporting ...

Medical Coder

Monterey, CA · On-site

$20.75 - $27.75/hr

When needed, assist the AR Specialist with a complicated coding denial. Furthermore, the coder assists with creating an appeal letter regarding the coding denial along with any supporting ...

Coder II

Bradbury, CA

$28 - $30/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your ... Medical Coder, Location: Duarte, CA - 91008 , PL: 604092800

Posted today

Hospital Outpatient Coder

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$21.75 - $29.25/hr

... Assistant, NCCI Edits, OSHPD and Kaiser Permanentes organizational and institutional coding guidelines. Essential Responsibilities: * Review Medical Records to identify diagnoses/procedures.

Outpatient Coder - Per Diem

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$47.60 - $62.78/hr

This will involve using your knowledge of UCLA Health, AHA - Coding Clinic, and AMA - CPT Assistant guidelines, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and pathological basis of disease ...

Outpatient Coder - Per Diem

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

$47.60 - $62.78/hr

This will involve using your knowledge of UCLA Health, AHA - Coding Clinic, and AMA - CPT Assistant guidelines, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and pathological basis of disease ...

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Assistant Coder information

What is an assistant coder?

Assistant Coders are entry-level professionals who support software development teams by writing, testing, and maintaining code under the supervision of more experienced developers. They often work on debugging, documenting, and assisting with small programming tasks. This role is ideal for those starting their careers in programming, as it provides valuable hands-on experience and mentorship opportunities. Assistant Coders typically have foundational knowledge in programming languages and a willingness to learn new technologies.

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

To thrive as an Assistant Coder, you need a solid understanding of medical terminology, anatomy, and ICD-10/CPT coding systems, often supported by a relevant certification such as CPC or CCA. Familiarity with electronic health record (EHR) systems and coding software is typically required. Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to communicate effectively are crucial soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure accurate medical billing, compliance with regulations, and efficient workflow in healthcare settings.

What are some typical challenges an assistant coder might face when supporting larger development projects?

Assistant Coders often encounter challenges such as managing multiple tasks simultaneously, adapting quickly to new codebases, and ensuring their code aligns with established project standards. It's common to juggle bug fixes, documentation, and feature support while collaborating with senior developers. Effective communication and proactive learning are essential, as Assistant Coders frequently need to clarify requirements and integrate feedback to keep projects moving smoothly. These challenges offer valuable opportunities to grow technical skills and gain practical experience working within development teams.

What is the difference between Assistant Coder vs Medical Coder?

AspectAssistant CoderMedical Coder
CredentialsHigh school diploma, on-the-job trainingCertification (e.g., CPC, CCS)
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, physician officesHospitals, outpatient facilities, insurance companies
Employer & Industry UsageEntry-level support role in healthcare billingSpecialized role for coding and billing accuracy
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry-level coding rolesProfessional coding responsibilities

Assistant Coders typically perform basic coding tasks under supervision, often with minimal certifications. Medical Coders are more experienced, usually certified, and handle complex coding processes independently. Both roles are essential in healthcare billing but differ in qualifications and responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Coder jobs in California?

The most popular types of Coder jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Assistant Coder jobs?

Cities in California with the most Assistant Coder job openings:

$33 - $38/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago


Job description

Description
The DRG Coder is responsible for reviewing inpatient medical records and accurately assigning diagnosis and procedure codes using ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS to determine the appropriate Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG) assignment. 
This role ensures coding accuracy, reimbursement integrity, and compliance with federal and state regulations, payer guidelines, and internal policies. In an Independent Practice Association (IPA) and Management Services Organization (MSO) environment, the DRG Coder partners with utilization management, care management, finance, and provider network teams to support accurate payment, risk adjustment, quality reporting, and medical expense analysis.

What You'll Do
  • Review inpatient hospital records and assign accurate diagnosis and procedure codes
  • Determine the appropriate MS-DRG or APR-DRG assignment based on coding and clinical documentation
  • Conduct coding validation and auditing to ensure compliance with payer and regulatory requirements
  • Identify documentation gaps and communicate opportunities to providers, hospitals, and Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) teams
  • Analyze denials and underpayments related to coding and DRG assignment
  • Support retrospective and concurrent reviews of high-cost admissions and outlier cases
  • Collaborate with utilization management, case management, finance, and contracting teams to optimize reimbursement and cost containment
  • Assist with internal and external audits, including RAC, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and commercial payer reviews
  • Provide education and mentoring to coding staff and other stakeholders
  • Monitor changes in coding guidelines, reimbursement methodologies, and regulatory requirements
  • Prepare reports and summaries related to coding accuracy, financial impact, and audit findings
  • Maintain confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA and company policies
  • Other duties as assigned

Qualifications
  • Associate’s degree in Health Information Management, Nursing, or related field 
  • Have at least 5 years of inpatient coding experience
  • Have at least  2 years of advanced DRG validation, auditing, or hospital reimbursement experience
  • Certifications One or more of the following required: • CCS, RHIA, or RHIT from American Health Information Management Association • CIC or CPC from AAPC
  • Have advanced knowledge of ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, MS-DRG, and APR-DRG methodologies
  • Proficiency in coding software, electronic medical records, and Microsoft Office applications
You're great for the role if:
  • Experience working with Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and commercial health plans
  • Experience in a delegated IPA, MSO, or managed care environment  
  • Have a strong understanding of Medicare reimbursement and payer audit processes
  • Ability to interpret complex clinical documentation
  • Knowledge of utilization management, case management, and managed care operations
  • Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

Environmental Job Requirements and Working Conditions
  • This position is remotely based in the U.S. The home office is located at 600 City Parkway West 10th Floor, Orange, CA 92868.
  • This role is required to attend occasional in-person meetings with internal departments and external providers/hospitals, training, or audit purposes. 
  • The national target pay range for this role is between $33.00 - $38.00. Actual compensation will be determined based on geographic location (current or future), experience, and other job-related factors.
Astrana Health is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need. If you require assistance in applying for open positions due to a disability, please email us at humanresourcesdept@astranahealth.com to request an accommodation.
Additional Information:
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.