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Medical Coding Associate Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Humana

Medical Coder

Vacaville, CA · On-site +1

$21.25 - $28.25/hr

Analyze coding audit results and other relevant data to develop data-driven educational materials ... Associates who live and work from Home in the state of California, Illinois, Montana, or South ...

Humana

Medical Coder

Vacaville, CA · On-site +1

$21.25 - $28.25/hr

Analyze coding audit results and other relevant data to develop data-driven educational materials ... Associates who live and work from Home in the state of California, Illinois, Montana, or South ...

Humana

Medical Coder

Vacaville, CA · On-site +1

$21.25 - $28.25/hr

Analyze coding audit results and other relevant data to develop data-driven educational materials ... Associates who live and work from Home in the state of California, Illinois, Montana, or South ...

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All JobsMedical Coding Associate JobsMedical Coding Associate Jobs in California

Medical Coding Associate information

See California salary details

$23.7K

$57.7K

$133.2K

How much do medical coding associate jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for medical coding associate in California is $57,674.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36,000.00 and $68,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What can you do with an associate's degree in medical coding?

A Medical Coding Associate with an associate's degree can work as a medical coder, assigning standardized codes to patient diagnoses and procedures for billing and record-keeping. This role often requires familiarity with coding systems like ICD-10 and CPT, and may involve working in healthcare settings such as hospitals, clinics, or insurance companies.

What pays more, CCS or CPC?

For medical coding associates, Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) credentials generally lead to higher salaries compared to Certified Professional Coder (CPC) credentials, as CCS is often considered more advanced and is preferred for hospital coding roles. However, salaries also depend on experience, location, and employer, with CCS holders typically earning a premium in the industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Medical Coding Associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Medical Coding Associate, you need a strong understanding of medical terminology, anatomy, and coding systems such as ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS, often supported by certification like CPC or CCS. Familiarity with medical billing software, electronic health records (EHRs), and coding databases is essential for daily tasks. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and effective written communication are vital soft skills for ensuring coding accuracy and compliance. These skills ensure proper claims processing, minimize errors, and support the financial health of healthcare organizations.

How can I get a medical coding job with no experience?

Medical Coding Associates can often start with entry-level positions by completing a coding certification such as CPC or CCS and gaining familiarity with coding software and medical terminology. Internships, volunteering, or completing a coding externship can also provide practical experience to improve employability.

Are medical coders going to be replaced by AI?

Medical coding associates perform tasks that require understanding complex medical terminology and documentation, which AI can assist but not fully replace. While automation tools and AI can handle routine coding, human oversight remains essential for accuracy, compliance, and handling complex cases, making the role resilient to complete automation.

What is a Medical Coding Associate?

A Medical Coding Associate is a healthcare professional responsible for translating medical diagnoses, procedures, and services into standardized codes used for billing and insurance purposes. They review patient records and assign the appropriate codes based on clinical documentation and official coding guidelines. This role ensures that healthcare providers are accurately reimbursed and that patient data is properly recorded for medical and legal purposes. Medical Coding Associates typically work in hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare settings and must be detail-oriented and knowledgeable about medical terminology and coding systems.

What are some common challenges Medical Coding Associates face and how can they overcome them?

Medical Coding Associates often encounter challenges such as keeping up with frequent coding updates, understanding complex medical records, and ensuring accuracy under time constraints. Staying current with changes in CPT, ICD, and HCPCS codes is essential, so regular training and reference to official coding resources is important. Collaborating with healthcare providers to clarify documentation and maintaining strong attention to detail can help prevent errors and support compliance. Building a network with other coders and participating in professional organizations can also provide valuable support and learning opportunities.

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

AspectMedical Coding AssociateMedical Billing Specialist
CertificationsCertified Professional Coder (CPC), CPC-ACertified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS), CPC
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, healthcare officesMedical offices, billing companies, healthcare providers
Job FocusAssigning codes to diagnoses and proceduresProcessing payments, submitting claims, managing accounts
Common UsageUsed for accurate medical record-keeping and insurance claimsHandling billing processes and revenue cycle management

The Medical Coding Associate primarily focuses on translating medical diagnoses and procedures into standardized codes, essential for insurance claims and medical records. In contrast, the Medical Billing Specialist manages the billing process, ensuring claims are submitted correctly and payments are collected. Both roles often work together within healthcare settings and require similar certifications, but their core responsibilities differ in focus and daily tasks.

What are the most commonly searched types of Medical Coding jobs in California? The most popular types of Medical Coding jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Medical Coding Associate jobs in California? For Medical Coding Associate jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Medical Coding Associate jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Medical Coding Associate jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Medical Coding Associate jobs? Cities in California with the most Medical Coding Associate job openings:
Medical Coding Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Medical Coding Associate job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, and 13% Part Time. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $57,674 per year, or $27.7 per hour.
Professional Fee Coding Auditor & Educator

Professional Fee Coding Auditor & Educator

University of California San Francisco

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Contractor

Posted 17 hours ago

Job description

Job Description
Fully Remote | Professional Fee Coding Auditor | 3-Month Contract with Strong Extension Potential
Openings: 6
The Patient Records Abstractor 4 fulfills a role as a Medical Coder for UCSF's physician practices. This position reviews patient records, discharge summaries, operative reports, and other clinical documentation to assign standardized codes for diagnoses, procedures, and services. The role applies national and international coding classifications to ensure records accurately reflect the care delivered, supporting compliant reimbursement and reliable clinical data.
This position also serves as a Coding Educator responsible for providing education and training for physicians, staff, and other providers on professional fee coding and clinical documentation standards. Responsibilities include conducting coding quality reviews, analyzing findings, and providing follow-up education to coding staff and providers. The incumbent outlines and annotates applicable laws and coding compliance mandates and delivers written and verbal training, teaching, and policy guidance.
The role operates within a healthcare records or billing team and requires close collaboration with clinicians, clinical coders, and administrative staff to resolve documentation queries. The incumbent is expected to maintain current knowledge of coding updates, compliance requirements, and professional standards while participating in regular audits to monitor coding quality and support process improvements.
Responsibilities
  • Conduct coding quality reviews and provide education to coding staff based on audit findings.
  • Provide ancillary supervision of coding quality activities related to coding and charge edit resolution.
  • Perform physician education reviews to ensure quality and consistency of documentation and adherence to state and federal guidelines.
  • Consult with and educate providers on coding practices and conventions.
  • Provide feedback to providers regarding coding accuracy and clinical documentation of services performed.
  • Serve as the primary liaison with providers and clinical departments for clarification of documentation deficiencies and coding questions.
  • Mentor and assist in training coders.
  • Participate in the development of coding policies and procedures.
  • Research and develop presentation materials for continuing education programs for physicians and staff.
  • Identify coding and edit trends and recommend opportunities for improvement.
  • Prepare teaching and training presentations, handouts, analyses, and tip sheets for providers and staff.
  • Research annual CPT and ICD-10 updates and collaborate with Revenue Integrity to update the Charge Description Master (CDM).
  • Assess the impact of coding changes on reimbursement and coordinate training for impacted staff and faculty.
  • Complete pre- and post-payment audit reviews to identify reimbursement impacts related to coding changes.
  • Conduct wRVU impact analyses for annual CMS and AMA CPT code updates and provide reporting to management and department leadership.
  • Collaborate with Revenue Managers to support coding quality and provide input regarding coder performance concerns.
  • Assist in the creation of department-wide coding and compliance policies and procedures.
  • Participate with the FPO Revenue Manager Team to support operational improvements and department initiatives.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
  • Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Coding Specialist - Physician Based (CCS-P), Certified Coding Associate (CCA), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), or equivalent licensure as evaluated by FPRMO management.
  • Certified Professional Coder in good standing with AAPC or AHIMA, with maintenance of required continuing education credits.
  • Minimum of 5-7 years of demonstrated coding experience, including training experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Demonstrated advanced knowledge of medical terminology, CPT, ICD-10 coding conventions, and clinical documentation requirements.
  • Knowledge of federal, state, and commercial carrier coding and billing standards.
  • Strong analytical and communication skills.
  • Ability to complete required training related to UCSF Medical Center computer systems and coding and billing applications, including partner hospital billing systems as applicable.
  • Prior experience in a healthcare-related setting.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in a related field and/or equivalent experience or training.
  • Prior experience in an Academic Medical Center.
  • Prior experience with Epic.
  • Prior experience with Encoder Pro.

Apply