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The differences between health information coders and medical records managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a health information coder and a medical records manager. Additionally, a medical records manager has an average salary of $75,232, which is higher than the $54,353 average annual salary of a health information coder.
The top three skills for a health information coder include medical terminology, ICD-10-CM and CPC. The most important skills for a medical records manager are patients, HIPAA, and patient care.
| Health Information Coder | Medical Records Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $54,353 | $75,232 |
| Hourly rate | $26.13 | $36.17 |
| Growth rate | 11% | 11% |
| Number of jobs | 112,238 | 54,997 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 44% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A health information coder is responsible for translating the reports of physicians into beneficial medical codes. Health information coders make sure that all important information is appropriately coded for accuracy and consistency. The coders read the medical chart of a patient and analyze it and identify patient diagnoses and medical procedures. They categorize the diagnoses and the necessary procedures based on a national classification system. Also, they assign particular alphanumeric or numeric code to each procedure or diagnosis.
The main job of a medical records manager is to secure and maintain electronic and written data within a medical records department. Medical records managers retrieve patient records for medical personnel and physicians. They supervise the department's employees. It is their responsibility to document a patient's health information, which may include symptoms, histories, and exam results. They ensure that the confidentiality of patients will follow the proper record-keeping practices. Also, they manage electronic health records and computer software.
Health information coders and medical records managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Health Information Coder | Medical Records Manager | |
| Average salary | $54,353 | $75,232 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $78,000 | Between $50,000 And $111,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Oakland, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | - | Amazon |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a health information coder and a medical records manager in terms of educational background:
| Health Information Coder | Medical Records Manager | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 44% |
| Most common major | Health Care Administration | Health Care Administration |
| Most common college | Georgetown University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between health information coders' and medical records managers' demographics:
| Health Information Coder | Medical Records Manager | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 12.0% Female, 88.0% | Male, 21.1% Female, 78.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 9.0% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3% | Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 8.1% White, 60.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |