Health information coder vs release of information specialist

The differences between health information coders and releases of information specialist 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 release of information specialist. Additionally, a health information coder has an average salary of $54,353, which is higher than the $45,891 average annual salary of a release of information specialist.

The top three skills for a health information coder include medical terminology, ICD-10-CM and CPC. The most important skills for a release of information specialist are patients, HIPAA, and customer service.

Health information coder vs release of information specialist overview

	Health Information Coder	Release Of Information Specialist
Yearly salary	$54,353	$45,891
Hourly rate	$26.13	$22.06
Growth rate	11%	11%
Number of jobs	112,238	68,103
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 45%	Associate Degree, 36%
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 release of information specialist do?

A release of information specialist is primarily in charge of retrieving and releasing data to qualified recipients while adhering to the guidelines and confidentiality protocols that aim to protect sensitive information. Although the extent of their responsibilities usually depends on their industry or company of employment, it usually includes maintaining records of procedures and transactions, preparing and processing documents, organizing files, producing progress reports to managers, and keeping an eye out for any inconsistencies, resolving them promptly and efficiently.

Health information coder vs release of information specialist salary

Health information coders and releases of information specialist have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Health Information Coder	Release Of Information Specialist
Average salary	$54,353	$45,891
Salary range	Between $37,000 And $78,000	Between $23,000 And $91,000
Highest paying City	-	New York, NY
Highest paying state	-	Connecticut
Best paying company	-	AstraZeneca
Best paying industry	-	Insurance

Differences between health information coder and release of information specialist education

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

	Health Information Coder	Release Of Information Specialist
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 45%	Associate Degree, 36%
Most common major	Health Care Administration	Health Care Administration
Most common college	Georgetown University	University of Southern California

Health information coder vs release of information specialist demographics

Here are the differences between health information coders' and releases of information specialist' demographics:

	Health Information Coder	Release Of Information Specialist
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 12.0% Female, 88.0%	Male, 14.4% Female, 85.6%
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, 10.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 8.4% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between health information coder and release of information specialist 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.

Release of information specialist example responsibilities.

Manage and track various holds on inventory: ship on quarantine; FDA hold; and quality hold.
Apply insurance knowledge to interpret EOB, all manage contracts and fee schedules for physician services and hospital services.
Generate reports for managing compliance with Medicaid documentation in support of electronic billing to MCO
Deliver customer service to patients and their families regarding access to their medical history information.
Assist clients with choosing a Medicaid HMO.
Handle Meditech requests then enter information into Esmartlog.

Health information coder vs release of information specialist skills

Common health information coder skills

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

Common release of information specialist skills

Patients, 24%
HIPAA, 16%
Customer Service, 6%
Medical Terminology, 5%
ROI, 5%
Hippa, 5%

Health Information Coder vs. similar jobs

Health Information Coder related careers

Health Information Coder related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
Health Information Coder
Health Information Coder vs Release Of Information Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs