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Drg Coder Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Astrana Health, Inc.

$33 - $38/hr

DRG Coder Department: HS - UM Employment Type: Full Time Location: 600 City Parkway West 10th Floor, Orange, CA 92868 Reporting To: Alice Tejeda Compensation: $33.00 - $38.00 / hour Description The ...

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Drg Coder information

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$15

$27

$42

How much do drg coder jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for drg coder in California is $27.13, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.75 and $34.18 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Drg Coder vs Medical Coder?

AspectDrg CoderMedical Coder
CertificationsAHIMA or AAPC certifications, specialized in DRG assignmentCertified Professional Coder (CPC), general coding certifications
Work EnvironmentHospitals, inpatient facilities, focusing on inpatient codingClinics, outpatient facilities, focusing on outpatient coding
Job FocusAssigning Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRGs) for inpatient billingConverting medical records into standardized codes for billing and documentation

While both Drg Coders and Medical Coders handle medical coding, Drg Coders specialize in inpatient coding and DRG assignment, often requiring specific certifications and experience with hospital billing. Medical Coders have a broader scope, working in outpatient settings with different coding systems. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job focus.

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

To thrive as a DRG Coder, you need a strong understanding of medical coding, anatomy, and disease processes, often supported by a coding certification such as CCS, RHIT, or CPC. Familiarity with coding systems like ICD-10-CM/PCS, encoder software, and hospital information systems is essential. Attention to detail, critical thinking, and effective communication are important soft skills for ensuring coding accuracy and collaborating with clinical staff. These skills and qualifications are crucial for accurate reimbursement, regulatory compliance, and supporting overall healthcare data quality.

Will AI eventually replace medical coders?

As a Drg Coder, AI is expected to assist rather than replace medical coders, automating routine tasks like data entry and coding suggestions. Human oversight remains essential for complex cases, compliance, and quality assurance, making the role of skilled coders vital even as technology advances. Continuous learning and certification help coders adapt to evolving tools and workflows.

What does a DRG coding auditor do?

A DRG coding auditor reviews hospital coding records to ensure accurate assignment of Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRGs) for billing and reimbursement purposes. They verify that medical codes comply with coding standards and regulations, often using coding software and requiring knowledge of medical terminology and coding guidelines.

What is the highest paid medical coder?

The highest paid medical coders are often experienced professionals with specialized certifications such as Certified Professional Coder (CPC) or Certified Coding Specialist (CCS). Senior-level coding roles, especially in outpatient hospital settings or with expertise in complex specialties like cardiology or radiology, tend to offer higher salaries, sometimes exceeding $70,000 annually. Factors such as location, certification, and years of experience influence earning potential.

What is the highest paid coding job?

In the field of medical coding, Drg Coder roles with advanced certifications and experience tend to have higher salaries, especially in specialized or management positions. Generally, senior coding professionals, including coding managers or those working with complex coding systems like ICD-10, earn the highest wages among coding jobs.

What are DRG coders?

DRG coders are medical coding professionals who assign Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG) codes to inpatient hospital records. These codes are used to classify hospital cases into groups for the purpose of reimbursement, billing, and data analysis. DRG coders analyze clinical documentation and translate diagnoses, procedures, and patient information into standardized codes according to official guidelines. Their work ensures hospitals receive proper payment from insurance providers and government programs. Accuracy and compliance with regulations are critical in this role.

What are some common challenges faced by DRG Coders in accurately assigning codes, and how can they overcome these challenges?

DRG Coders often face challenges such as incomplete or ambiguous clinical documentation, rapidly changing coding guidelines, and the pressure to meet productivity standards while ensuring accuracy. To overcome these obstacles, coders should actively collaborate with physicians for clarifications, participate in ongoing education to stay current with coding updates, and utilize internal audit feedback to continuously improve their skills. Building strong communication channels with clinical and billing teams also helps in resolving discrepancies efficiently.
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What job categories do people searching Drg Coder jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Drg Coder jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Drg Coder jobs? Cities in California with the most Drg Coder job openings:
Drg Coder jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drg Coder job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 65% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 33% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $56,433 per year, or $27.1 per hour.

DRG Coder

Astrana Health, Inc.

On-site, Remote

$33 - $38/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 15 hours ago

Job description

DRG Coder
Department: HS - UM
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: 600 City Parkway West 10th Floor, Orange, CA 92868
Reporting To: Alice Tejeda
Compensation: $33.00 - $38.00 / hour
Description
The Senior 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 Senior 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.

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