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Contract Coder Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

University of Utah

Contract Specialists

Campus, IL · Hybrid

Details Open Date 05/13/2026 Requisition Number PRN45045B Job Title Contract Specialists Working Title Contract Manager Career Progression Track P00 Track Level FLSA Code Administrative Patient ...

University of Utah

Contract Specialists

Campus, IL · Hybrid

Details Open Date 05/13/2026 Requisition Number PRN45045B Job Title Contract Specialists Working Title Contract Manager Career Progression Track P00 Track Level FLSA Code Administrative Patient ...

University of Utah

Contract Specialists

Campus, IL · On-site

$45K - $50K/yr

... Code Administrative Patient Sensitive Job Code? No Standard Hours per Week 40 Full Time or ... Contract Specialist, II: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 4 years or a master's (or ...

University of Utah

Contract Specialists

Campus, IL · On-site

$45K - $50K/yr

... Code Administrative Patient Sensitive Job Code? No Standard Hours per Week 40 Full Time or ... Contract Specialist, II: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 4 years or a master's (or ...

University of Utah

Contract Specialists

Campus, IL

$45K - $50K/yr

... Code Administrative Patient Sensitive Job Code? No Standard Hours per Week 40 Full Time or ... Contract Specialist, II: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 4 years or a master's (or ...

paradigm

Provider Contract Manager

Tampa, FL

$84K - $112K/yr

The Provider Contract Manager will grow and enhance Paradigm's Provider Network by negotiating ... Knowledgeable in interpreting and assessing CPT, HCP, DRG and Revenue codes. * Experience with ...

Loyola University Chicago

Contract Analyst

Chicago, IL · On-site

$71K - $86K/yr

... Code RESEARCH PROGRAM (06120A) Is this split and/or fully grant funded? No Duties and ... Contract management, paralegal, or other comparable experience preferred. In addition to meeting ...

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All JobsContract Coder JobsContract Coder Jobs in Illinois

Contract Coder information

See Illinois salary details

$15

$26

$42

How much do contract coder jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract coder in Illinois is $26.64, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.41 and $33.56 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Contract Coder position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Coder, you need in-depth knowledge of medical coding systems, anatomy, and healthcare reimbursement guidelines, typically supported by certifications such as CPC, CCS, or RHIT. Experience with coding software, electronic health records (EHRs), and claims management platforms is highly valued. Attention to detail, time management, and effective communication are vital soft skills for collaborating with healthcare providers and meeting project deadlines. These abilities ensure coding accuracy, regulatory compliance, and efficient workflow in a contract-based or remote environment.

What is a Contract Coder job?

A Contract Coder is a professional who reviews medical records and assigns standardized codes for billing, insurance claims, and data analysis. They typically work on a contract or freelance basis for healthcare providers, hospitals, or insurance companies. This role requires knowledge of medical terminology, coding systems like ICD-10 and CPT, and compliance regulations. Contract Coders ensure accurate medical documentation and proper reimbursement while often working remotely or on a flexible schedule.

What are the typical work arrangements and environments for Contract Coders?

Contract Coders often work remotely or on-site for healthcare organizations, medical billing companies, or consulting firms, depending on the needs of the client. Assignments may range from short-term projects to longer contracts, with the flexibility to manage your own schedule and workload. Most contract coders collaborate virtually with other coding professionals, auditors, and healthcare staff, using secure platforms to handle sensitive medical information. This setup allows professionals to work from diverse locations while maintaining productivity and confidentiality. It is important to have reliable internet access and be comfortable with independent, deadline-driven tasks.

What are the most commonly searched types of Coder jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Coder jobs in Illinois are:
What are popular job titles related to Contract Coder jobs in Illinois? For Contract Coder jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Contract Coder jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Coder jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Contract Coder jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Contract Coder job openings:
Contract Coder jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Coder job openings in Illinois as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 55% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 35% Contract. Highlights an 91% In-person, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $55,411 per year, or $26.6 per hour.
Medical Records Technician (Coder In/Out)

Medical Records Technician (Coder In/Out)

Veterans Health Administration

North Chicago, IL • On-site, Remote

$40K - $81K/yr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago

Veterans Health Administration rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 997 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

69th of 890 rated healthcare providers

Job description

Summary
The MRT Coder is a position located under the Health Information Management Division of the Resources Directorate at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC) in North Chicago, Illinois. This position is responsible for maintaining the quality of patient records, assigning of appropriate International Classification of Diseases (ICD), Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes, and other duties as assigned.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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Duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to the following:
Basic Functions
  • Assigns codes to documented patient care encounters (inpatient and outpatient) covering the full range of health care services provided by the FHCC.
  • Selects and assigns codes from the current version of several coding systems to include current versions of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), and/or Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS).
  • Adheres to accepted coding practices, guidelines and conventions when choosing the most appropriate diagnosis, operation, procedure, ancillary, or Evaluation and Management code to ensure ethical, accurate, and complete coding.
  • Monitors ever-changing regulatory and policy requirements affecting coded information for the full spectrum of services provided by the FHCC.
  • Performs a comprehensive review of the patient health record to abstract medical, surgical, ancillary, demographic, social, and administrative data to ensure complete data capture.
  • Assists facility staff with documentation requirements to completely and accurately reflect the patient care provided; provides technical support in the areas of regulations and policy, coding requirements, resident supervision, reimbursement, workload, accepted nomenclature, and proper sequencing. Insures provider documentation is complete and supports the diagnoses and procedures coded.
  • Expertly searches the patient health record to find documentation justifying code assignment based on an expanded knowledge of the organization and structure of the patient record.
  • Utilizes the facility computer system and software applications to correctly code, abstract, record, and transmit data to the national VA database in Austin.
  • Uses a variety of computer applications in day to day activities and duties, such as Outlook, Excel, Word, and Access; competent in use of the health record applications (VistA and CPRS) as well as the encoder product suite.
  • Orients and instructs new personnel and/or students from affiliated health information or medical record technology programs, at the direction of the supervisor, on unit operations, coding, abstracting, and use of an electronic health record.

Specific Functions
  • Identifies the principal diagnosis and principal procedure (when applicable) for every inpatient discharge; also identifies significant complications and/or co-morbidities treated or impacting treatment to correctly determine the proper Diagnosis Related Group (DRG).
  • Conducts re-reviews of codes abstracted for patient encounters (inpatient and outpatient) identified by the VERA committee to determine if based on the documentation the specific VERA coding requirements were followed; corrects coding as needed to ensure proper patient classification in the VERA program.
  • Codes inpatient professional fee services for identified inpatient admissions.
  • Establishes the primary and secondary diagnosis and procedure codes for outpatient encounters following applicable regulations, instructions, and requirements for allowable reimbursement; links the appropriate diagnosis to the procedure and/or determines level of Evaluation & Management service provided.
  • Codes all Operating Room procedures reported in the Surgical Package of the VistA hospital system; applies ICD and CPT coding guidelines and selects proper codes using the current code set and the encoder product suite; ensures all procedures file to the appropriate Patient Care Encounter (PCE); adds Anesthesia and Pathology codes to the PCE encounter for all billable surgical cases.
  • Updates codes for current inpatient and Contract Nursing Home admissions for quarterly census and as directed for billable long stay admissions to reflect all patient conditions and care up to the census date or to the requested billing date.
  • Reviews and codes assigned fee service Care in the Community patient encounters (inpatient and outpatient) using the paper or electronic documentation obtained from non-VA facilities.
  • Codes diagnoses from paper forms for VA registries.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm
Telework: Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: 02623F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
The Medical Record Tech (Coder-In/Out) position continues to be authorized to telework during the Return to Office (RTO) Mid-term Extension through 04-30-26. Per 10-31-25 Memo from the Acting Under Secretary for Health, "Approval for Mid-term Extension to Return to In-Person Work Requirement," this position is considered part of a series permitted to continue teleworking until a decision is made." Approval to continue regular reoccurring telework or remote status is contingent upon approval/denial of the RTO Exemption.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
  • To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
  • Subject to background/security investigation.
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
  • Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
  • your performance and conduct;
  • the needs and interests of the agency;
  • whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
  • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Qualifications
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS:
United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
Experience and Education:
  • Experience. One year of creditable experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, medical coding, and the structure and format of a health records.

OR
  • Education. An associate's degree from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education with a major field of study in health information technology/health information management, or a related degree with a minimum of 12 semester hours in health information technology/health information management (e.g., courses in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, medical coding, and information to health records). Transcripts required.

OR
  • Completion of an AHIMA approved coding program, or other intense coding training program of approximately one year or more that included courses in anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, basic ICD diagnostic/procedural, and basic CPT coding. The training program must have led to eligibility for coding certification/certification examination, and the sponsoring academic institution must have been accredited by a national U.S. Department of Education accreditor, or comparable international accrediting authority at the time the program was completed;

OR
  • Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of creditable experience and education are qualifying for meeting the basic requirements. Transcripts required.

Certification: Persons hired or reassigned to MRT (Coder) positions in the GS-0675 series in VHA must have either (1), (2), or (3) below:
  1. Apprentice/Associate Level Certification through AHIMA or AAPC.
  2. Mastery Level Certification through AHIMA or AAPC.
  3. Clinical Documentation Improvement Certification through AHIMA or ACDIS.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
Grade Determination: Medical Records Technician (Coder) Outpatient & Inpatient
GS-4
  • Experience or Education. None beyond basic requirements.

GS-5
  • Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level;

OR
  • Education. Successful completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, with a major field of study in health information management or a related degree with a minimum of 24 semester hours in health information management or technology.
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
    • Ability to use health information technology and various office software products used in MRT (Coder) positions (e.g., the electronic health record, coding and abstracting software, etc.).
    • Ability to navigate through and abstract pertinent information from health records.
    • Knowledge of the ICD CM, PCS Official Conventions and Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, and CPT guidelines.
    • Ability to apply knowledge of medical terminology, human anatomy/physiology, and disease processes to accurately assign codes to inpatient and outpatient episodes of care based on health record documentation.
    • Knowledge of The Joint Commission requirements, CMS, and/or health record documentation guidelines.
    • Ability to manage priorities and coordinate work to complete duties within required timeframes, and the ability to follow-up on pending issues.

GS-6
  • Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
    • Ability to analyze the health record to identify all pertinent diagnoses and procedures for coding and to evaluate the adequacy of the documentation.
    • Ability to determine whether health records contain sufficient information for regulatory requirements, are acceptable as legal documents, are adequate for continuity of patient care, and support the assigned codes. This includes the ability to take appropriate actions if health record contents are not complete, accurate, timely, and/or reliable.
    • Ability to apply laws and regulations on the confidentiality of health information (e.g., Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act, and HIPAA).
    • Ability to accurately apply the ICD CM, PCS Official Conventions and Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, and CPT Guidelines to various coding scenarios.
    • Comprehensive knowledge of current classification systems, such as ICD CM, PCS, CPT, HCPCS, and skill in applying classifications to both inpatient and outpatient records based on health record documentation.
    • Knowledge of complication or comorbidity/major complication or comorbidity (CC/MCC) and POA indicators to obtain correct MS-DRG.

GS-7
  • Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
    • Skill in applying current coding classifications to a variety of inpatient and outpatient specialty care areas to accurately reflect service and care provided based on documentation in the health record.
    • Ability to communicate with clinical staff for specific co

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About Veterans Health Administration

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The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, serving millions of Veterans each year. Located in Phoenix, AZ, and many other parts of the US, the VHA operates under the Department of Veteran Affairs, as suggested by their official website va.gov. The VHA is dedicated to providing the highest level of comprehensive care to its veterans. The organization offers a broad spectrum of medical, surgical, and rehabilitative care, including mental health services, research, and pharmacy benefits.

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Phoenix, AZ, US

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