Medical Coder (CCS / CIC)

Confidential; United States; Remote; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Zekai is seeking a Medical Coder (CCS / CIC) for a 100% remote contractor role in the United States. You will apply inpatient coding expertise to annotate and review records, assign ICD-10-CM/PCS codes, and support AI model training with high-quality data.

You will collaborate with stakeholders, ensure coding accuracy, and adhere to UHDDS, Official Guidelines, and MS-DRG guidance while handling diverse inpatient cases across settings.

Qualifications

• Active CCS or CIC credential.
• Experience with inpatient coding across diverse settings.
• Strong knowledge of ICD-10-CM/PCS and MS-DRG methodology.

Responsibilities

• Annotate and review inpatient records with precise ICD-10-CM/PCS coding.
• Identify principal/secondary diagnoses and assign POA indicators.
• Validate MS-DRG assignment and identify CCs/MCCs.
• Apply inpatient coding conventions and guidelines (UHDDS, AHA).
• Collaborate with stakeholders to clarify requirements and ensure data integrity.
• Provide feedback to improve coding guidelines and AI model understanding.

Skills

Attention to detail

Written & verbal communication

Inpatient coding experience

Education

AHIMA CCS or CIC certification

Tools

MS-DRG grouper

ICD-10-CM/PCS guidelines

Job description

Role Title: Medical Coder (CCS / CIC)

Role Type: Contractor

Location: US - Remote

our partner is engaging Medical Coders (CCS / CIC certified) to contribute their expertise to a dynamic project for a valued customer. In this role, you'll apply your expertise to help train next-generation AI systems. Your work will shape how models learn, reason, and perform through high-quality, real-world input. No prior experience in AI is required — your domain knowledge is what matters.

Scope of Work

• Annotate and review inpatient medical records, including admission notes, progress notes, operative reports, consults, lab and imaging results, and discharge summaries, ensuring precise ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS code assignment based on documentation.
• Identify principal and secondary diagnoses, sequence codes according to guidelines, assign Present on Admission (POA) indicators, and validate MS-DRG assignment, including the identification of CCs and MCCs, to verify and enrich data sets.
• Apply inpatient-specific coding conventions, such as UHDDS definitions, ICD-10-CM/PCS Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, and AHA Coding Clinic guidance, while identifying hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) and patient safety indicators.
• Collaborate with project stakeholders using both written and verbal communication to clarify requirements, resolve documentation ambiguities, and ensure data integrity.
• Deliver high-quality feedback on coding guidelines and complex cases to support project workflow improvements and enhance AI model understanding.
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of all coding-related annotations per current best practices and coding standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active AHIMA Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) or AAPC Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC) credential.
• Thorough expertise in ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, and MS-DRG methodology with hands-on inpatient coding experience.
• Experience coding in diverse inpatient settings, such as acute care, teaching hospitals, specialty units, surgical, trauma, oncology, cardiology, and transplant cases.
• Proficiency in reviewing and coding various types of clinical documentation and addressing complex coding challenges.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, demonstrating meticulous attention to detail and clarity.
• Access to current ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS code sets, Official Coding Guidelines, and MS-DRG grouper tools.

This is a 100% remote contract role. Applicants must be located in: United States.