Billing coder vs receptionist/billing clerk

The differences between billing coders and receptionist/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 receptionist/billing clerk. Additionally, a billing coder has an average salary of $37,554, which is higher than the $31,932 average annual salary of a receptionist/billing clerk.

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

Billing coder vs receptionist/billing clerk overview

	Billing Coder	Receptionist/Billing Clerk
Yearly salary	$37,554	$31,932
Hourly rate	$18.05	$15.35
Growth rate	-3%	-
Number of jobs	55,376	129,530
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 32%	High School Diploma, 31%
Average age	46	42
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 receptionist/billing clerk do?

A receptionist/billing clerk is responsible for performing administrative and clerical duties as needed to maintain a smooth flow of operations for the business. Receptionist/billing clerks process the customers' payment transactions, manage account payables, releasing invoices, and immediately resolve account discrepancies. A receptionist/billing clerk must have excellent communication and analytical skills, responding to customers' inquiries and concerns, escalating high-level complaints to the billing management. They should also maintain records of financial documentation for reference and reconciliation as needed.

Billing coder vs receptionist/billing clerk salary

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

	Billing Coder	Receptionist/Billing Clerk
Average salary	$37,554	$31,932
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $45,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	-	Santa Maria, CA
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Leggett & Platt
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between billing coder and receptionist/billing clerk education

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

	Billing Coder	Receptionist/Billing Clerk
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 32%	High School Diploma, 31%
Most common major	Health Care Administration	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	-

Billing coder vs receptionist/billing clerk demographics

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

	Billing Coder	Receptionist/Billing Clerk
Average age	46	42
Gender ratio	Male, 8.8% Female, 91.2%	Male, 7.2% Female, 92.8%
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, 10.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 25.0% Asian, 5.7% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	7%	6%

Differences between billing coder and receptionist/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.

Receptionist/billing clerk example responsibilities.

Assist office management and staff with administrative projects/responsibilities such as managing time-sensitive projects, filing, copying, and collating materials.
Obtain and track all insurance referrals for patients with HMO products.
Coordinate in-processing of all patients, to include accurate insurance information and payments are entered correctly into office computer system.
Move from SNF billing to HMO outpatient billing and keep a large alpha current.
Maintain confidentiality and adherence to HIPAA guidelines.
Develop effective billing strategies for Medicaid recipients according to HIPPA rules and regulations.

Billing coder vs receptionist/billing clerk skills

Common billing coder skills

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

Common receptionist/billing clerk skills

Patients, 25%
Data Entry, 11%
Customer Service, 9%
Telephone Calls, 7%
Appointment Scheduling, 6%
Front Desk, 5%

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Office and Administrative Industry
Billing Coder
Billing Coder vs Receptionist/Billing Clerk

Updated January 8, 2025

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