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Medical Coding Associate Jobs in Columbia, SC (NOW HIRING)

Hospice Medical Coder

Columbia, SC · On-site

$17.25 - $23.25/hr

Adhere to updated Coding department processes for specific clinical services/payors that meet ... Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in Health Information Management or related field is preferred.

Medical Assistant

Columbia, SC · On-site

$16.50 - $21/hr

... ICD coding, and CAHPS/HOS Patient Experience. • Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish ... Associate benefits are designed to encourage personal wellness and smart healthcare decisions for ...

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Medical Coding Associate information

See Columbia, SC salary details

$22.2K

$54.1K

$124.9K

How much do medical coding associate jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for medical coding associate in Columbia, SC is $54,064.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $33,800.00 and $64,300.00 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 Columbia, SC? The most popular types of Medical Coding jobs in Columbia, SC are:
What cities near Columbia, SC are hiring for Medical Coding Associate jobs? Cities near Columbia, SC with the most Medical Coding Associate job openings:

Senior Certified Coding Auditor and Trainer

Novant Health Urgent Cares LLC

Columbia, SC

$74K - $92K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

Title: Senior Certified Coding Auditor and Trainer
Location: Columbia, SC
Status: Full-Time
Who Are We?
Part of the Novant Health family based in North Carolina, Novant Health Urgent Care (formerly Doctors Care) provides exceptional healthcare through our network of more than 50 urgent care centers and 20 physical therapy facilities across South Carolina. Our Columbia-based headquarters delivers non-medical management and administrative services to support these locations. For decades, we have been committed to delivering exceptional, convenient, and affordable healthcare experiences to families and communities throughout the Palmetto State.
What Do We Offer?
  • Competitive wages
  • Generous PTO that increases with tenure
  • 403B
  • Health, dental, vision insurance
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Short term and Long term Disability
  • Whole and Term Life Insurance
  • Rewarding Careers
What Are We Looking For?
Novant Health Urgent Cares is currently seeking a Senior Certified Coding Auditor and Trainer to join our team. The Senior Certified Coding Auditor and Trainer provides data and reports to management related to coding and claims for Novant Health Urgent Care and Novant Health Physical Therapy patient encounters.The Auditor and Trainer educates medical and clinic staff on medical coding and documentation requirements. With the Senior Director of Revenue Cycle, the Auditor and Trainer oversees performance of external coding vendor ensuring accuracy of coding, vendor’s successful completion of monthly audits of the vendors own coding, and participates in scheduled review calls with external vendor and Billing department leadership. The Auditor and Trainer performs and documents monthly chart audits to ensure coding accuracy and makes recommendations to the Senior Director of Revenue Cycle, VP of Operations, and Clinical Leadership for provider documentation improvement. The Auditor and Trainer performs and documents quarterly benchmarking of provider coding practices and provides education to providers or the external coding vendor as necessary.
Do You Have What It Takes?
A good candidate will bring with them:
  • Associate’s degree or Bachelor’s degree in Medical Billing and Coding or other applicable degree
  • Licensure: CPC, CCS-P, COC, CMC, RHIA or RHIT credentials
  • Knowledge of insurance filing, coding, collections and billing policies and procedures
  • Knowledge of the ICD10-CM, HCPCS, and CPT-4/5 nomenclature, coding rules and guidelines
  • Ability to properly sequence ICD-10-CM codes
  • Advanced understanding of medical terminology and body systems/anatomy and physiology and concepts of disease
  • Ability to elicit cooperation from and work in a cooperative manner with professionals and non-professional associates
  • Dependable in both production and attendance
  • Proficient with Microsoft suite including Word, Outlook, and Excel Experience with creating and implementing training programs for the revenue cycle
  • Ability to adapt to new software programs
  • Excellent organizational skills
An ideal candidate would also have:
  • CEDO certification
  • Five (5) or more years of medical coding experience
  • Five (5) or more years of experience working directly with medical providers
  • Working knowledge of Cerner Practice Management System
  • Working knowledge of Cerner EMR