Biller vs authorization specialist

The differences between billers and authorization specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a biller, becoming an authorization specialist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a biller has an average salary of $38,333, which is higher than the $36,518 average annual salary of an authorization specialist.

The top three skills for a biller include patients, customer service and data entry. The most important skills for an authorization specialist are patients, customer service, and insurance verification.

Biller vs authorization specialist overview

	Biller	Authorization Specialist
Yearly salary	$38,333	$36,518
Hourly rate	$18.43	$17.56
Growth rate	-3%	-4%
Number of jobs	35,740	71,831
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 28%	Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Average age	46	40
Years of experience	2	4

What does a biller do?

Billers are medical professionals who are responsible for translating health care services into medical claims to be submitted to insurance companies. These billers are required to obtain patient medical records and interpret them to determine the billable units and services. They must manage all aspects of the medical billing process and make necessary contacts with insurance payers or patients to ensure maximum reimbursements. Billers must also provide services that are associated with internal and external customer billing and payment processing operations.

What does an authorization specialist do?

An authorization specialist is responsible for reviewing insurance claims and determining the necessary settlement for the clients and involved parties. Authorization specialists file documents and gather the required information for further investigation and analysis. They coordinate with the insurance agency and the medical institution and ensure that the correct communications are being sent out for reference. An authorization specialist must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in writing authorization requests and resolve claims timely and efficiently.

Biller vs authorization specialist salary

Billers and authorization specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Biller	Authorization Specialist
Average salary	$38,333	$36,518
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $49,000	Between $28,000 And $47,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	Milford, MA
Highest paying state	Washington	Massachusetts
Best paying company	UC Merced	Guidehouse
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Health Care

Differences between biller and authorization specialist education

There are a few differences between a biller and an authorization specialist in terms of educational background:

	Biller	Authorization Specialist
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 28%	Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Most common major	Health Care Administration	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	University of Pennsylvania

Biller vs authorization specialist demographics

Here are the differences between billers' and authorization specialists' demographics:

	Biller	Authorization Specialist
Average age	46	40
Gender ratio	Male, 11.6% Female, 88.4%	Male, 15.4% Female, 84.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 21.8% Asian, 6.8% White, 56.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 22.6% Asian, 6.9% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between biller and authorization specialist duties and responsibilities

Biller example responsibilities.

Manage payer requirements, regulatory compliance requirements, HIPAA privacy and security requirements, medical terminology and general revenue cycle procedures.
Ensure all ICD-9 and CPT coding are correct and forward any errors to the appropriate departments to correct.
Prepare forms for CPT-4 and ICD-9 coding.
Acquire a working knowledge of revenue codes and HCPCS codes.
Answer phones, review, verifying insurance and ICD-9 coding of service reports.
Maintain confidentiality of all pertinent client information in compliance with HIPAA laws and regulations.

Authorization specialist example responsibilities.

Demonstrate knowledge of HIPAA by appropriately managing patient confidentiality.
Utilize CMS and InterQual criteria to establish authorizations for members requiring medical services for a Medicare advantage insurance company.
Build authorization, match ICD-10 codes with there procedure codes
Provide patients with patient registration forms in order to follow up on patient check-in and check-out utilizing a proprietary management system.
Obtain verification of insurance coverage and authorizations for clinical visits and surgical procedures for patients.
Perform all components of the office registration including arrival, check-in and future appointments.

Biller vs authorization specialist skills

Common biller skills

Patients, 18%
Customer Service, 10%
Data Entry, 6%
CPT, 5%
Medicaid, 4%
Patient Accounts, 4%

Common authorization specialist skills

Patients, 20%
Customer Service, 10%
Insurance Verification, 6%
Medical Terminology, 6%
Insurance Eligibility, 4%
Veterans, 4%

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Biller vs Authorization Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

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