Billing coder vs medical billing, receptionist

The differences between billing coders and medical billings, receptionist 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, receptionist. Additionally, a billing coder has an average salary of $37,554, which is higher than the $34,622 average annual salary of a medical billing, receptionist.

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

Billing coder vs medical billing, receptionist overview

	Billing Coder	Medical Billing, Receptionist
Yearly salary	$37,554	$34,622
Hourly rate	$18.05	$16.65
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	55,376	115,714
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 32%	Associate Degree, 26%
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, receptionist do?

A medical billing receptionist serves as the main point of contact in a hospital. Their responsibilities revolve around greeting patients and attending to their needs, gathering and maintaining records, and checking-in patients. They also have administrative support tasks such as answering calls and responding to inquiries, arranging appointments and schedules, producing reports, keeping documentation, and handling billing processes, including insurance. Moreover, a medical billing receptionist must be alert and proactive as the conditions in a hospital can be very unpredictable.

Billing coder vs medical billing, receptionist salary

Billing coders and medical billings, receptionist have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Billing Coder	Medical Billing, Receptionist
Average salary	$37,554	$34,622
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $45,000	Between $28,000 And $41,000
Highest paying City	-	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	-	Massachusetts
Best paying company	-	University of California, Berkeley
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between billing coder and medical billing, receptionist education

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

	Billing Coder	Medical Billing, Receptionist
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 32%	Associate Degree, 26%
Most common major	Health Care Administration	Health Care Administration
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Billing coder vs medical billing, receptionist demographics

Here are the differences between billing coders' and medical billings, receptionist' demographics:

	Billing Coder	Medical Billing, Receptionist
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 8.8% Female, 91.2%	Male, 9.5% Female, 90.5%
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, 9.9% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 21.9% Asian, 6.8% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between billing coder and medical billing, receptionist 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, receptionist example responsibilities.

Accept and process healthcare claims and confidential medical records; verify patient eligibility and manage the Medicare and Medicaid billing process.
Revise CPT codes and ICD-10 codes before submitting to insurance for chiropractic services and durable medical equipment.
Review and research ICD-9 and CPT codes that are denied by payers, and contact physician offices to assist with correction.
Submit secondary insurance claims with primary insurance EOB.
Facilitate medical billing and coding by interfacing with insurance companies and patients to ensure proper billing procedures.
Discuss physicians' choice of E/M level when in question.

Billing coder vs medical billing, receptionist skills

Common billing coder skills

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

Common medical billing, receptionist skills

Patients, 21%
Medical Billing, 7%
Data Entry, 5%
Customer Service, 5%
CPT, 4%
Medicaid, 4%

Billing Coder vs. similar jobs

Billing Coder related careers

Billing Coder related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Office and Administrative Industry
Billing Coder
Billing Coder vs Medical Billing, Receptionist

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse office and administrative jobs