Billing representative vs medical billing clerk

The differences between billing representatives 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 representative and a medical billing clerk. Additionally, a billing representative has an average salary of $35,002, which is higher than the $33,566 average annual salary of a medical billing clerk.

The top three skills for a billing representative include patients, customer service and data entry. The most important skills for a medical billing clerk are patients, medical billing, and healthcare.

Billing representative vs medical billing clerk overview

	Billing Representative	Medical Billing Clerk
Yearly salary	$35,002	$33,566
Hourly rate	$16.83	$16.14
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	95,425	164,870
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 30%	Associate Degree, 30%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	2	2

What does a billing representative do?

A billing representative assists with the overall operations of the organization's billing department. Billing representatives post payments timely on the database, update account statements, generate financial reports, release invoices, and resolve account discrepancies. They also perform client accounts reconciliation as needed, monitor account receivables, review overdated balance, and notify clients of payment updates to ensure accurate and timely billing. A billing representative must have strong analytical and communication skills to manage clients' accounts, as well as comprehensive knowledge on the accounting industry to explain the payment terms and policies of an organization to a client.

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 representative vs medical billing clerk salary

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

	Billing Representative	Medical Billing Clerk
Average salary	$35,002	$33,566
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $42,000	Between $27,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	Worcester, MA	San Leandro, CA
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	Washington
Best paying company	Relevante	iCare
Best paying industry	Technology	Health Care

Differences between billing representative and medical billing clerk education

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

	Billing Representative	Medical Billing Clerk
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 30%	Associate Degree, 30%
Most common major	Business	Health Care Administration
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Billing representative vs medical billing clerk demographics

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

	Billing Representative	Medical Billing Clerk
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 15.7% Female, 84.3%	Male, 11.3% Female, 88.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 7.3% White, 57.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	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 representative and medical billing clerk duties and responsibilities

Billing representative example responsibilities.

Manage software programs for MSP accounts, monthly billing and EMC file transfers to Medicare.
Accept and process healthcare claims and confidential medical records; verify patient eligibility and manage the Medicare and Medicaid billing process.
Process orders in compliance with Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance verification guidelines; confirming customer's eligibility and insurance coverage.
Verify insurance eligibility for schedule appointments, and verify cash pricing for private pay patients who request cost by CPT code.
Submit and receive Medicare and Medicaid claims electronically on a daily basis.
Utilize extensive computer skills and coding knowledge to produce and submit physical therapy and occupational therapy claims through medicaid and medicare.

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 representative vs medical billing clerk skills

Common billing representative skills

Patients, 18%
Customer Service, 13%
Data Entry, 6%
Medical Billing, 5%
Medicaid, 5%
Patient Accounts, 4%

Common medical billing clerk skills

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

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Office and Administrative Industry
Billing Representative
Billing Representative vs Medical Billing Clerk

Updated January 8, 2025

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