Note from the Associate Editor: A reminder for and a sneak peek of the 2024 CDI Salary Survey
by Joshua Raposa
“The numbers—what do they mean.” “Well, let’s look at the data first.” “Have we crunched those figures yet?” To anyone working in the world of CDI, revenue cycle management, or any type of institution involving finance, these expressions are—excuse the phrase—common coinage.
At ACDIS, the manner with which we approach the questions of CDI compensation, raises, salary brackets, hiring staff (etc.) is no different. Every year—via our CDI Salary Survey—we ask you, our loyal professionals, to help us paint a picture of the industry as a whole. How much are most CDI professionals getting paid? Are organizations planning on hiring more CDI staff? How are people in the same demographic categories compensated?
These questions are, of course, not merely intended for theoretical reflection over a cup of cocoa near the fireplace (however aesthetically pleasing and deliciously appealing that may be): they are intended for you, so that you can see how your position, or your hospital, stacks up against “the industry.”
The 2024 CDI Salary Survey closes at the end of the day on Sunday, October 27 (note we’re giving you a couple days’ extension from our original deadline!), so if you haven’t put in your input, now’s the time! Help us, help you! But, in the meantime, we wanted to give you a little sneak peek as to what the past year has held.
Pay. Let’s talk about it. This year, according to the survey results submitted thus far, most CDI professionals (e.g., specialists, managers, second-level reviewers, etc.) found themselves in the $90,000-$109,999 category. That total percentage came out at 28.84%; however, last year, in the same salary bracket, the percentage was 35.67%. Of course, this could suggest that more CDI professionals fell into the lower tiers.
Nevertheless, when we examine the lower combined bracket (less than $59,999-$89,999), we find that, in 2023, the percentage was at 25.31%; whereas in 2024, it is now at 13.48%. In other words, it isn’t that the CDI professionals in the $90,000-$109,999 category went down a bracket, but, rather, that they further dispersed upwards, i.e., CDI professionals are making more money! Woo!
Compensation is great and all, but many health systems could definitely use more hands on deck. So, what about plans to hire new staff? In 2023, only 42.74% of respondents were planning on hiring new staff in the next 12 months, with approximately 30% (29.92%) saying they had no intentions to do so. In 2024, however, the percentage of those seeking to hire new staff—drum roll, please—increased to 51.66%! Another win!
There could be a number of reasons for these positive developments, but, at ACDIS, we like to think it’s because the cat is out of the bag: CDI professionals are a critical element in maintaining not only a health system’s financial integrity, but, also, are key for accurately representing the patient’s story.
When CDI departments are given the resources they need and deserve, everyone benefits. So, with that being said, please do yourself a favor and take the 2024 CDI Salary Survey!
You only have something to gain.
(The results of the 2024 CDI Salary Survey will be shared with the ACDIS membership in late 2024/early 2025.)
Editor’s note: Raposa is an associate editor at ACDIS. Contact him at Joshua.raposa@hcpro.com.