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Medical record coder vs medical records manager

The differences between medical record 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 medical record coder and a medical records manager. Additionally, a medical records manager has an average salary of $75,232, which is higher than the $54,162 average annual salary of a medical record coder.

The top three skills for a medical record coder include medical terminology, patients and CPC. The most important skills for a medical records manager are patients, HIPAA, and patient care.

Medical record coder vs medical records manager overview

Medical Record CoderMedical Records Manager
Yearly salary$54,162$75,232
Hourly rate$26.04$36.17
Growth rate11%11%
Number of jobs51,19754,997
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Average age4545
Years of experience1212

What does a medical record coder do?

A medical record coder is responsible for translating medical files and documents to comprehensive files required by insurance companies and other non-medical institutions. Medical record coders disclose all the patients' information on the file, including their treatment procedures, diagnosis, and medications. They serve as the representative of a medical institution to respond to inquiries and concerns, resolve record discrepancies, and submit additional documents as necessary. A medical record coder must have excellent communication skills, as well as extensive knowledge of the medical industry to discuss medical terms accurately and efficiently.

What does a medical records manager do?

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.

Medical record coder vs medical records manager salary

Medical record coders and medical records managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical Record CoderMedical Records Manager
Average salary$54,162$75,232
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $75,000Between $50,000 And $111,000
Highest paying City-Oakland, CA
Highest paying state-New Jersey
Best paying company-Amazon
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between medical record coder and medical records manager education

There are a few differences between a medical record coder and a medical records manager in terms of educational background:

Medical Record CoderMedical Records Manager
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common majorHealth Care AdministrationHealth Care Administration
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Medical record coder vs medical records manager demographics

Here are the differences between medical record coders' and medical records managers' demographics:

Medical Record CoderMedical Records Manager
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 12.7% Female, 87.3%Male, 21.1% Female, 78.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 8.6% White, 58.4% 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 Percentage9%9%

Differences between medical record coder and medical records manager duties and responsibilities

Medical record coder example responsibilities.

  • Create documentation education classes to general surgery residents, increasing the leveling of reporting which lead to increase revenues.
  • Obtain medical records through electronic health records (EHR).
  • Bill all Medicare, Medicaid, BlueCross, PPO claims electronically.
  • Maintain the strictest confidentiality and adhere to all HIPAA guidelines and regulations.
  • Code and charge ER records, apply E/M codes, correct billing errors, and code infusion records.
  • Process all charges receive from outside services to include CPT, ICD-9, or any other necessary information.
  • Show more

Medical records manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage 2nd/ 3rd and weekend shift supervisors and staff and develop unit (s) QA activities.
  • Achieve this goal by providing clear policies/justification for initiatives which impact designated FTE's.
  • Prepare documents for FOIA requests.
  • Assign ICD-9 and CPT medical codes.
  • Have knowledge of the latest CPT coding.
  • Ensure compliance with medical/legal requirements, JCAHO standards.
  • Show more

Medical record coder vs medical records manager skills

Common medical record coder skills
  • Medical Terminology, 12%
  • Patients, 12%
  • CPC, 10%
  • ICD-10-CM, 10%
  • Physiology, 8%
  • AHIMA, 8%
Common medical records manager skills
  • Patients, 29%
  • HIPAA, 10%
  • Patient Care, 10%
  • EHR, 4%
  • Hippa, 4%
  • Medical Terminology, 4%

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