Billing coder vs medical billing clerk

The differences between billing coders and medical billing clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a billing coder and a medical billing clerk. Additionally, a billing coder has an average salary of $37,554, which is higher than the $33,566 average annual salary of a medical billing clerk.

The top three skills for a billing coder include patients, ICD-10 and data entry. The most important skills for a medical billing clerk are patients, medical billing, and healthcare.

Billing coder vs medical billing clerk overview

	Billing Coder	Medical Billing Clerk
Yearly salary	$37,554	$33,566
Hourly rate	$18.05	$16.14
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	55,376	164,870
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 32%	Associate Degree, 30%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	2	2

What does a billing coder do?

A billing coder usually works at medical facilities where they are primarily in charge of gathering and analyzing patient information and billing data, translating them according to the special coding system for medical and insurance record purposes. They usually work in an office setting where they manage electronic health records, organize files, handle calls and correspondence, coordinate with different departments, and enter insurance claims into particular programs. Moreover, as a billing coder, it is essential to review records, keeping an eye out for any inconsistencies or missing details, performing corrective measures right away.

What does a medical billing clerk do?

A medical billing clerk is primarily in charge of processing payments and creating billing arrangements in clinics and hospitals. Among their responsibilities include gathering and verifying patient identification, handling insurance information, coding, updating databases, and maintaining records. It is also their responsibility to assist patients by filling out forms, answering their inquiries, and referring them to other services. Moreover, a medical billing clerk must monitor patient accounts and follow-up on delinquent patient accounts, coordinating with collection agencies as needed.

Billing coder vs medical billing clerk salary

Billing coders and medical billing clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Billing Coder	Medical Billing Clerk
Average salary	$37,554	$33,566
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $45,000	Between $27,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	-	San Leandro, CA
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	iCare
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between billing coder and medical billing clerk education

There are a few differences between a billing coder and a medical billing clerk in terms of educational background:

	Billing Coder	Medical Billing Clerk
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 32%	Associate Degree, 30%
Most common major	Health Care Administration	Health Care Administration
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Billing coder vs medical billing clerk demographics

Here are the differences between billing coders' and medical billing clerks' demographics:

	Billing Coder	Medical Billing Clerk
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 8.8% Female, 91.2%	Male, 11.3% Female, 88.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.9% Asian, 6.8% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 21.9% Asian, 6.8% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between billing coder and medical billing clerk duties and responsibilities

Billing coder example responsibilities.

Accept and process healthcare claims and confidential medical records; verify patient eligibility and manage the Medicare and Medicaid billing process.
Review documentation to assign or confirm E/M, CPT, HCPCS, modifiers and ICD-9 codes.
Process insurance claims to various carriers like Medicare, Medicaid, commercial, and private insurances.
Verify patient insurance and/or Medicaid eligibility status and produce 'no insurance' letters for non establish patients.
Use EMR to submit claims.
Correct coding of CPT, HCPCS and ICD-9 codes necessary to ensure appropriate reimbursement.

Medical billing clerk example responsibilities.

Accept and process healthcare claims and confidential medical records; verify patient eligibility and manage the Medicare and Medicaid billing process.
Interact with patients as part of the quality assurance process (follow-up, EHR confirmation, billing confirmation).
Reconcile insurance and patient payments while researching and resolving incorrect payments, EOB rejections, and assort issues with outstanding accounts.
Utilize medical terminology and follow HIPAA guidelines.
Bill Magellan through Nextgen system.
Double checked CMS-1500 form before posting it out to the insurance companies.

Billing coder vs medical billing clerk skills

Common billing coder skills

Patients, 18%
ICD-10, 9%
Data Entry, 7%
Medical Terminology, 5%
Home Health, 5%
HCPCS, 5%

Common medical billing clerk skills

Patients, 18%
Medical Billing, 10%
Healthcare, 7%
Data Entry, 7%
Customer Service, 6%
Medicaid, 5%

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Billing Coder
Billing Coder vs Medical Billing Clerk

Updated January 8, 2025

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