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Remote Ancillary Coding Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Remote Ancillary Coding information

See Iowa salary details

$16

$20

$22

How much do remote ancillary coding jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for remote ancillary coding in Iowa is $20.20, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.92 and $21.44 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is remote ancillary coding?

A Remote Ancillary Coding job involves reviewing and assigning medical codes for ancillary services such as radiology, laboratory, physical therapy, and other outpatient procedures. Coders ensure accuracy in medical documentation, compliance with coding guidelines, and proper reimbursement for healthcare providers. This role is performed remotely, allowing coders to work from home while using electronic health records (EHR) and coding software. Strong knowledge of CPT, ICD-10, and HCPCS coding systems is typically required, along with certifications such as CCS or CPC.

What does a remote ancillary coder do?

Remote ancillary coders are responsible for reviewing medical records pertaining to outpatient services—such as laboratory, radiology, and therapy—and assigning the appropriate diagnosis and procedure codes. A typical day involves ensuring records are complete, accurate, and compliant with regulatory standards, often working independently while meeting tight turnaround times. One common challenge is clarifying incomplete documentation remotely, which may require proactive communication with clinical staff for additional information. Success in this role often involves staying up to date with changing coding regulations and maintaining a high level of concentration, especially when managing large volumes of records. Collaboration with other coders and revenue cycle teams is also important to address discrepancies and ensure consistent workflow.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed for remote ancillary coding?

To thrive as a Remote Ancillary Coder, you need a solid understanding of medical terminology, ICD-10/CPT coding guidelines, and experience with analyzing outpatient ancillary service records. Familiarity with coding software (such as 3M or EncoderPro), and certification such as CCS, CPC, or RHIT, is typically required. Excellent attention to detail, strong time management, and effective communication skills are crucial in a remote environment. These competencies are essential for ensuring accurate code assignment, maximizing reimbursement, and enabling seamless collaboration in a distributed healthcare setting.

What are popular job titles related to Remote Ancillary Coding jobs in Iowa?

For Remote Ancillary Coding jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Remote Ancillary Coding job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 100% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,007 per year, or $20.2 per hour.

[Coder] Medical Records Technician

Des Moines, IA • Remote

$18.25 - $24.50/hr

Contractor

Posted 20 days ago


Job description


Required Qualifications (Non‑Negotiable)
  • U.S. citizenship
  • Must reside within 50 miles of the nearest VA Medical Center
  • Active credential from AHIMA (RHIA, RHIT, CCS, CCS‑P, CCA, CDIP) or AAPC (CPC, CPC‑H, or successor)
  • Completion of an accredited program in coding, HIM, or HIT
  • Minimum 6–8 years of coding experience (outpatient or inpatient)
    • This is significantly higher than typical requirements; 2–3 years does NOT qualify
  • Current CEUs required to maintain credential
  • Ability to pass a National Agency Check (NAC), local file check, and obtain a PIV card
  • Cannot be a current VA employee — federal conflict‑of‑interest restriction

Preferred Qualifications
  • Prior VA/VHA coding experience
  • Surgical, anesthesia, or pathology coding experience
  • History of tracking/reporting personal accuracy and productivity metrics

Medical Records Technician (Coder)

VA Central Iowa Health Care System (VACIHCS) – Des Moines, IA Remote Contract Position — Must Reside Within 50 Miles of a VA Medical Center

Position Type
  • Contract
  • Remote 
Schedule Expectations
  • Training Phase: Fixed schedule, 08:00–4:30 PM CST, Monday–Friday
  • Post‑Training: After sustaining 95% accuracy and meeting productivity standards for a full bi‑weekly pay period (~4 weeks), coders may move to a flexible 8‑hour shift between 06:00 AM–5:00PM CST
Key Responsibilities Outpatient Coders 
  • Code outpatient encounters, ancillary services (radiology, lab), prosthetics, and ambulatory surgical episodes
  • Apply ICD‑CM, CPT, and HCPCS
Inpatient Coder 
  • Code inpatient facility episodes 
  • Assign ICD‑CM diagnoses, ICD‑PCS procedures, and POA indicators
  • Additional Requirements for Inpatient Role
    • Proven ICD‑10‑PCS experience
    • Strong understanding of POA indicators, DRG logic, and inpatient professional fee coding
    • Experience creating encounters in the Patient Care Encounter (PCE) application preferred
All Coders
  • Work within VA systems: VistA/CPRS, national encoder, and required VA applications
  • Apply NCCI bundling rules and correct modifier usage
  • Flag insufficient documentation
  • Re‑review and correct coding within 1 business day when questioned due to billing edits or denials
  • Submit daily coded‑status reports and weekly summaries
  • Maintain 95% minimum accuracy — audited monthly and strictly enforced