Health information coder vs records coordinator

The differences between health information coders and records coordinators 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 records coordinator. Additionally, a health information coder has an average salary of $54,353, which is higher than the $40,360 average annual salary of a records coordinator.

The top three skills for a health information coder include medical terminology, ICD-10-CM and CPC. The most important skills for a records coordinator are customer service, data entry, and patients.

Health information coder vs records coordinator overview

	Health Information Coder	Records Coordinator
Yearly salary	$54,353	$40,360
Hourly rate	$26.13	$19.40
Growth rate	11%	11%
Number of jobs	112,238	25,060
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 45%	Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	12	12

What does a health information coder do?

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.

What does a records coordinator do?

A records coordinator takes responsibility for doing administrative and clerical work. Records coordinators maintain the filing system of the central records. They monitor, post, and process university forms for personnel and budgetary actions. It is their job to maintain an organized central filing system. They must know the requirements applicable to their organization. There are certain skills every records coordinator should acquire. Some of them are skills in procurement management, organizational, negotiation, finance and accounting, and analytical.

Health information coder vs records coordinator salary

Health information coders and records coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Health Information Coder	Records Coordinator
Average salary	$54,353	$40,360
Salary range	Between $37,000 And $78,000	Between $30,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	-	Trenton, NJ
Highest paying state	-	New Jersey
Best paying company	-	The American Musical and Dramatic Academy
Best paying industry	-	Energy

Differences between health information coder and records coordinator education

There are a few differences between a health information coder and a records coordinator in terms of educational background:

	Health Information Coder	Records Coordinator
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 45%	Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common major	Health Care Administration	Business
Most common college	Georgetown University	Stanford University

Health information coder vs records coordinator demographics

Here are the differences between health information coders' and records coordinators' demographics:

	Health Information Coder	Records Coordinator
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 12.0% Female, 88.0%	Male, 26.7% Female, 73.3%
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, 9.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 8.5% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between health information coder and records coordinator duties and responsibilities

Health information coder example responsibilities.

Create documentation education classes to general surgery residents, increasing the leveling of reporting which lead to increase revenues.
Provide clerical services in registering patients and guests in ambulatory surgery facility.
Train staff on the HIPAA regulations.
Assist in instructing students for exam preparation for the CPC exam.
Maintain establish department policies and procedures, objectives, QA program, HIPAA compliance, environmental and infection control standards.
Code charts (Inpatient/Outpatient/Observation) according to EHR records to ensure all charges are accurately capture; hydration/infusion/EM levels & procedures.

Records coordinator example responsibilities.

Manage and maintain appropriate information in the electronic case file as required by federal, state, and HIPAA regulations.
Manage SharePoint site used for routing management approvals.
Assist DoD and contract personnel in digitizing intelligence onto secure severs for use by senior DoD agencies.
Maintain forms inventory in preparation for the EHR.
Forward records/documents as requested by FDA staff and outside vendors.
Perform software validation testing and QA testing for new CAPA system implementation.

Health information coder vs records coordinator skills

Common health information coder skills

Medical Terminology, 11%
ICD-10-CM, 9%
CPC, 9%
Patients, 7%
Quality Standards, 6%
AHIMA, 6%

Common records coordinator skills

Customer Service, 24%
Data Entry, 20%
Patients, 16%
HIPAA, 6%
Hard Copy, 3%
Subpoenas, 3%

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Health Information Coder vs Records Coordinator

Updated January 8, 2025

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