Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists are in high demand across hospital systems that regularly sponsor H-1B visa and green card visas. Most roles require a clinical background plus CCDS or CCS certification, and employers in large health systems often have established immigration pipelines for qualified candidates. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
You'll enjoy the flexibility to telecommute* from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Perform concurrent and retrospective chart reviews for improving the overall completeness of clinical documentation
- Keep abreast of current coding trends and maintains up to date knowledge of Medicare rules and regulations regarding diagnosis coding and CDI trends
- Effectively utilizes ICD-10 and related materials to investigate coding issues and produce accurate results
- Conducts daily follow-up communication with providers regarding existing clarifications to obtain needed documentation specificity
- Provides expert level leadership for overall improvement in clinical documentation by providing proficient review and assessment, and effectively articulating recommendations for improvement including the rationale for the recommendations
- Actively communicates with providers at all levels, to clarify information and to communicate documentation requirements for appropriate diagnoses based on severity of illness and risk of mortality
- Provides complete follow through on all requests for clarification or recommendations for improvement
- Ensures effective utilization of Technology to document all clarification activity
- Collaborates closely with interfacing departments such as Care Coordination and Quality
- Utilizes only the Optum/client approved clarification forms
- Proactively develops a reciprocal relationship with the HIM Coding Professionals
- Engages and consults with Physician Advisor/CMO when needed, per the hospital defined escalation process, to resolve provider issues regarding answering clarifications and participation in the clinical documentation integrity process
You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Associates degree
- 5+ years acute care hospital clinical RN experience OR Medical Graduate with CDI experience
- Advanced proficiency in clinical medicine, pathophysiology, and pharmacology
- Advanced proficiency communicating & working closely with Physicians
- Intermediate proficiency using a PC in a Windows environment, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and Electronic Medical Records
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- 3+ years of CDI experience for an acute care hospital
- CCDS, CDIP or CCS certification
- BSN degree if a RN
- CAC experience (Computer Assistant Coding)
- All Telecommuters will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy.
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $60,200 to $107,400 annually based on full-time employment
Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.
At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone-of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location, and income-deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups, and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.
Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
UnitedHealth Group is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.
INTRODUCTION
Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
You'll enjoy the flexibility to telecommute* from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Perform concurrent and retrospective chart reviews for improving the overall completeness of clinical documentation
- Keep abreast of current coding trends and maintains up to date knowledge of Medicare rules and regulations regarding diagnosis coding and CDI trends
- Effectively utilizes ICD-10 and related materials to investigate coding issues and produce accurate results
- Conducts daily follow-up communication with providers regarding existing clarifications to obtain needed documentation specificity
- Provides expert level leadership for overall improvement in clinical documentation by providing proficient review and assessment, and effectively articulating recommendations for improvement including the rationale for the recommendations
- Actively communicates with providers at all levels, to clarify information and to communicate documentation requirements for appropriate diagnoses based on severity of illness and risk of mortality
- Provides complete follow through on all requests for clarification or recommendations for improvement
- Ensures effective utilization of Technology to document all clarification activity
- Collaborates closely with interfacing departments such as Care Coordination and Quality
- Utilizes only the Optum/client approved clarification forms
- Proactively develops a reciprocal relationship with the HIM Coding Professionals
- Engages and consults with Physician Advisor/CMO when needed, per the hospital defined escalation process, to resolve provider issues regarding answering clarifications and participation in the clinical documentation integrity process
You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Associates degree
- 5+ years acute care hospital clinical RN experience OR Medical Graduate with CDI experience
- Advanced proficiency in clinical medicine, pathophysiology, and pharmacology
- Advanced proficiency communicating & working closely with Physicians
- Intermediate proficiency using a PC in a Windows environment, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and Electronic Medical Records
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- 3+ years of CDI experience for an acute care hospital
- CCDS, CDIP or CCS certification
- BSN degree if a RN
- CAC experience (Computer Assistant Coding)
- All Telecommuters will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy.
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $60,200 to $107,400 annually based on full-time employment
Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.
At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone-of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location, and income-deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups, and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.
Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
UnitedHealth Group is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist
Target large hospital systems and academic medical centers
Large health systems like HCA Healthcare, CommonSpirit, and academic medical centers file H-1B petitions far more consistently than small clinics. Their HR teams understand the sponsorship process and have dedicated immigration counsel already in place.
Lead with your CCDS or CCS certification upfront
Certifications from the Association of Clinical Documentation Integrity Professionals or AHIMA signal immediate readiness to employers. Sponsors want to justify the visa cost quickly, and a recognized credential removes the most common hiring objection for international candidates.
Understand how your clinical degree supports the H-1B specialty occupation standard
CDI roles typically require a degree in health information management, nursing, or a clinical field. Your degree field matters: USCIS scrutinizes whether the specific degree directly relates to the job duties, so be prepared to document that connection clearly.
Ask about remote roles to widen your sponsoring employer options
Many CDI positions are fully remote, which means you can target sponsoring employers headquartered in any state. A hospital in Texas can sponsor your H-1B even if you live elsewhere, significantly expanding the pool of employers willing to file.
Highlight measurable outcomes from previous CDI work
Employers sponsoring visas want proof the hire is worth the investment. Quantify your impact: case mix index improvements, query volumes, or documentation accuracy rates. Concrete outcomes make your application stand out and give employers confidence in the sponsorship decision.
Clarify sponsorship timing early in the process
The H-1B cap lottery runs once per year with an April 1 filing deadline. If you need cap-subject sponsorship, both you and your employer need time to prepare. Raising this in the first or second interview prevents wasted time on both sides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist roles qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, CDI Specialist roles generally qualify as H-1B specialty occupations because they require a specific bachelor's degree in health information management, nursing, or a related clinical field. USCIS has approved H-1B petitions for this role category across major health systems, though individual petition outcomes depend on how the employer documents the degree requirement in the job description and Labor Condition Application.
Which visa types do employers use to sponsor CDI Specialists?
H-1B is the most common pathway. Some employers also pursue TN visa status for Canadian and Mexican candidates with qualifying credentials, and EB-2 or EB-3 green card sponsorship is available through employers willing to go through the PERM labor certification process. Large hospital systems are more likely to offer green card sponsorship than smaller facilities, particularly for experienced specialists with CCDS or CCS credentials.
Does my nursing or clinical degree count toward the H-1B specialty occupation requirement?
A registered nursing degree, health information management degree, or clinical coding credential can support a CDI specialty occupation petition, but the degree must relate directly to the specific job duties USCIS reviews. A generic business or unrelated science degree is unlikely to satisfy the requirement on its own. If your degree is in a borderline field, employers often pair it with professional certifications like CCDS to strengthen the petition.
How competitive is the job market for sponsored CDI Specialist roles?
Demand for CDI Specialists has grown steadily as hospitals face increasing documentation compliance requirements under Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rules. Candidates with CCDS certification and at least two years of inpatient CDI experience are well-positioned. Remote availability in this role type also increases competition, since qualified candidates nationally apply to the same postings. You can browse current sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate to see which health systems are actively hiring.
Can I switch employers on an H-1B as a CDI Specialist without losing my status?
Yes. H-1B portability allows you to start working for a new sponsoring employer as soon as they file a new H-1B petition on your behalf, provided your current H-1B is valid and you have not accrued unlawful presence. You do not need to wait for USCIS approval before starting with the new employer. The new employer must file an H-1B transfer petition and a new Labor Condition Application reflecting the updated role and work location.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.