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Remote Inpatient Medical Coder Jobs in California

$33 - $38/hr

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 ...

Coder I

Rancho Cordova, CA · Remote

$20 - $26.75/hr

Every day you will accurately translate patients' medical records into standardized codes for ... As a remote employee, we will provide you with the equipment needed to work from home, including a ...

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Remote Inpatient Medical Coder information

See California salary details

$17

$21

$23

How much do remote inpatient medical coder jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for remote inpatient medical coder in California is $21.22, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.79 and $22.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Remote Inpatient Medical Coders?

Remote Inpatient Medical Coders are healthcare professionals who review and analyze patient medical records from hospital stays to assign the appropriate diagnosis and procedure codes. These coders work from home or another offsite location, ensuring that the hospital receives proper reimbursement from insurance companies. They must be knowledgeable about medical terminology, coding systems like ICD-10-CM and PCS, and compliance regulations. Their work is essential for accurate billing, maintaining patient data integrity, and supporting healthcare operations.

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

To thrive as a Remote Inpatient Medical Coder, you need expertise in ICD-10-CM/PCS coding, a thorough understanding of medical records, and a certification such as CCS or RHIT/RHIA. Familiarity with coding software, electronic health record (EHR) systems, and encoder tools is typically required. Strong attention to detail, time management, and the ability to communicate clearly with healthcare teams are vital soft skills. These capabilities ensure accurate billing, regulatory compliance, and efficiency in a remote work environment.

What is the difference between Remote Inpatient Medical Coder vs Remote Outpatient Medical Coder?

AspectRemote Inpatient Medical CoderRemote Outpatient Medical Coder
CertificationsAHIMA CCS or RHIT, CPCAHIMA CCS or RHIT, CPC
Work EnvironmentHospitals, inpatient facilitiesClinics, outpatient facilities
Industry UsageUsed in inpatient hospital codingUsed in outpatient clinic coding
Job FocusInpatient records, hospital staysOutpatient visits, outpatient procedures

Remote Inpatient Medical Coders specialize in coding hospital inpatient records, requiring knowledge of inpatient procedures and diagnoses. Remote Outpatient Medical Coders focus on outpatient visits, emphasizing outpatient services and outpatient-specific coding. Both roles require similar certifications but differ mainly in work environment and record types.

What are some common challenges faced by remote inpatient medical coders, and how can they be addressed?

Remote inpatient medical coders often face challenges such as staying updated on coding guidelines, managing distractions in a home environment, and maintaining clear communication with healthcare teams. To address these, it’s important to regularly participate in continuing education, set up a dedicated and distraction-free workspace, and use secure communication tools to stay connected with supervisors and colleagues. Proactively seeking feedback and collaborating with other coders can also help ensure accuracy and ongoing professional development.
What are popular job titles related to Remote Inpatient Medical Coder jobs in California? For Remote Inpatient Medical Coder jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in California are hiring for Remote Inpatient Medical Coder jobs? Cities in California with the most Remote Inpatient Medical Coder job openings:
Infographic showing various Remote Inpatient Medical Coder job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 3% In-person, and 97% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,138 per year, or $21.2 per hour.

$33 - $38/hr

Full-time

Posted 13 days 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
  • Minimum of 5 years of inpatient coding experience
  • Minimum of 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.