Remote Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)

Job Overview

Virelia Health connects Certified Coding Specialists with opportunities across inpatient facility coding, ICD-10-PCS coding, and remote hospital coding.

We are seeking qualified Certified Coding Specialists (CCS) for remote opportunities supporting hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers, and revenue cycle organizations.

A Remote Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) codes inpatient and facility services, assigns ICD-10-PCS procedure codes, and assigns MS-DRG and APR-DRG for hospital reimbursement. Working within their CCS certification and coding compliance scope, the inpatient coder reviews hospital records, assigns ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes and ICD-10-PCS procedure codes, and assigns DRG for accurate inpatient hospital billing.

This position is well-suited to an experienced inpatient coder with ICD-10-PCS coding knowledge, DRG assignment experience, and CCS certification who wants to work in a virtual setting — providing meaningful inpatient coding support with schedule flexibility and without the demands of a facility-based environment.

The specific specialty, coding focus, and scope of responsibilities will depend on the employer and assignment.

This opportunity may be suitable for professionals searching for remote CCS coder jobs, work-from-home inpatient coder jobs, remote hospital coder jobs, virtual CCS coder, or telehealth inpatient coding specialist roles.

What You'll Do

As a Remote Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), you may support inpatient and facility coding across a range of virtual coding encounters.

• Review hospital records for inpatient facility coding — hospital records, operative reports, and clinical documentation.
• Assign ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes — accurately coding inpatient diagnoses supported by documentation.
• Assign ICD-10-PCS procedure codes — accurately coding inpatient procedures supported by documentation.
• Assign MS-DRG — assigning Medicare Severity Diagnosis Related Groups for inpatient reimbursement.
• Assign APR-DRG — assigning All Patient Refined DRG as applicable for inpatient reimbursement.
• Support DRG validation — supporting accurate DRG assignment and DRG validation.
• Support coding quality — supporting inpatient coding quality and coding accuracy.
• Support coding compliance — maintaining coding compliance with ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, DRG, and CMS requirements.
• Support coding audits — supporting internal and external inpatient coding audits.
• Support clinical documentation improvement (CDI) — coordinating with CDI specialists on documentation clarification.
• Support coding production — maintaining productivity and accuracy standards.
• Document coding work accurately in the coding system and coding documentation.
• Coordinate with coding teams, CDI teams, and revenue cycle teams as needed.
• Support denial management — supporting coding-related denial management and appeals.
• Participate in coding quality improvement and revenue cycle quality improvement.
• Maintain current knowledge of ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, DRG assignment, coding guidelines, and CMS requirements.
• Protect patient data and maintain HIPAA compliance across all virtual inpatient coding work.

Virtual Certified Coding Specialist Focus

Virtual inpatient coding is a growing area of healthcare coding — driven by increased demand for inpatient coding accuracy, expanded telehealth coverage for remote coding work, and the recognition that inpatient coders improve coding accuracy and hospital revenue through accurate ICD-10-PCS and DRG assignment. Virtual inpatient coders extend coding reach, support hospitals and health systems, and improve coding quality across organizations.

Depending on the program, virtual inpatient coding may focus on:

The inpatient coder's role is to provide inpatient facility coding within their CCS certification and coding compliance scope — including hospital record review, ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS coding, DRG assignment, coding documentation, and coding compliance. Clinical decisions, patient care decisions, and clinical documentation decisions remain with clinical leadership and provider documentation; the inpatient coder supports the coding process and coordinates with coding, CDI, and revenue cycle teams.

This structure keeps the role focused on inpatient facility coding, ICD-10-PCS coding, DRG assignment, documentation, and coding compliance.

ICD-10-PCS Coding & MS-DRG Assignment

Effective virtual inpatient coding depends on strong ICD-10-PCS coding skills and DRG assignment expertise — the coder's coding expertise and clinical documentation knowledge determine how to help hospitals achieve accurate inpatient coding.

Depending on the program and specialty focus, you may support inpatient coding by:

• Reviewing hospital records for inpatient facility coding.
• Assigning ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes — inpatient diagnoses supported by documentation.
• Assigning ICD-10-PCS procedure codes — inpatient procedures supported by documentation.
• Assigning MS-DRG — Medicare Severity Diagnosis Related Groups.
• Assigning APR-DRG — All Patient Refined DRG.
• Supporting DRG validation — accurate DRG assignment and validation.
• Supporting coding quality — inpatient coding quality and accuracy.
• Supporting coding compliance — ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, DRG, and CMS requirements.
• Supporting coding audits — internal and external inpatient coding audits.
• Supporting CDI — coordinating with CDI specialists.
• Documenting coding work accurately and consistently.
• Supporting denial management — coding-related denial management and appeals.

Coding expertise, clinical documentation knowledge, and clear communication are essential — inpatient coders are the coding professionals who help hospitals achieve accurate inpatient coding and DRG assignment.

Virtual Certified Coding Specialist Workflow

A Remote Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) may follow a structured workflow across each virtual inpatient coding encounter.

Depending on the employer's protocols, you may:

Required Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), inpatient coder, or hospital coder.
• CCS certification (Certified Coding Specialist) required.
• Strong inpatient facility coding knowledge, ICD-10-PCS coding skills, and MS-DRG assignment experience.
• Comfortable with ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, MS-DRG, APR-DRG, and inpatient coding workflows.
• Additional RHIT, RHIA, or CCS-P certifications preferred.
• Strong documentation and time-management skills.
• Ability to work independently in a remote environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and HIPAA compliance.
• Reliable internet and a private workspace suitable for confidential coding work.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience or certification in any of the following may be beneficial:

Skills & Competencies

Inpatient Coding Skills

Communication & Engagement

Digital Health & Technology

A Typical Day

A typical day may begin by reviewing coding queues and coding assignments — checking inpatient coding priorities and coding production tasks.

You'll review hospital records — reviewing hospital records, operative reports, and clinical documentation to identify diagnoses and procedures supported by documentation.

You'll assign ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes and ICD-10-PCS procedure codes for inpatient hospital services, and assign MS-DRG and APR-DRG — accurately coding inpatient services for hospital billing.

Between coding activities, you'll support coding quality, coding compliance, DRG validation, and coding audits, and document coding work accurately in the coding system.

Throughout the day, you'll coordinate with coding teams, CDI teams, and revenue cycle teams, and support coding compliance with ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, DRG, and CMS requirements.

The role combines inpatient facility coding, ICD-10-PCS coding, MS-DRG assignment, DRG validation, coding compliance, documentation, and CDI collaboration.

Unlike professional fee coder work, which focuses on physician services and outpatient procedures, inpatient coder work focuses specifically on hospital inpatient services and DRG assignment — you're the CCS who helps hospitals and health systems achieve accurate inpatient coding.

Remote Work Environment

This position is designed for remote inpatient coding delivery.

Depending on the employer, you may work with:

Candidates should have a stable internet connection suitable for coding system remote access, a private workspace suitable for confidential coding work, and comfort with multiple coding and revenue cycle systems.

Certification & Eligibility

Remote inpatient coder roles are currently in highest demand in states with large hospital networks, academic medical centers, health systems, and healthcare IT investment:

Top-demand states: California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona, Colorado.

Strong secondary markets: Connecticut, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin.

Inpatient coders must maintain current CCS certification (Certified Coding Specialist) or equivalent. Additional RHIT, RHIA, or CCS-P certifications are preferred. Some employers require additional certifications; others accept CCS with relevant inpatient coding experience. Requirements vary by employer. Always confirm the specific certification requirements with the employer before applying.

Want to know which states accept remote healthcare roles? Read our remote healthcare licensure guide.

Compensation & Benefits

This position offers $28–$46 per hour, based on experience, geographic location, coding certification, and assignment requirements. Remote inpatient coder roles typically offer scheduled weekday work and structured coding cycles.

Benefits are assignment-specific and may vary depending on whether the opportunity is full-time, part-time, contract, or direct hire. Depending on the employer, benefits may include:

Why Consider Remote Certified Coding Specialist Work?

Virtual inpatient coding is expanding rapidly — driven by increased demand for inpatient coding accuracy, expanded telehealth coverage for remote coding work, and the recognition that inpatient coders improve coding accuracy and hospital revenue through accurate ICD-10-PCS and DRG assignment.

Many inpatient coders find remote CCS roles appealing because they offer:

• Meaningful clinical impact — you're helping hospitals and health systems achieve accurate inpatient coding.
• Predictable work schedule — structured weekday work without facility floor assignments or physical demands.
• Inpatient coding career pathway — experience translates into coding leadership, CDI leadership, and revenue cycle leadership.
• No facility pressures — no unit staffing concerns, no physical demands, no rotating floor coverage.
• Growing employer demand — hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers, and revenue cycle organizations are all hiring remote inpatient coders.

It may be particularly suitable for inpatient coders with ICD-10-PCS coding knowledge, DRG assignment experience, and CCS certification who want to practice in a structured virtual setting with predictable schedules.