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What does a claims adjudicator do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

Claims adjudicators determine the amount of money an insurance policy owner is entitled to receive. Other names they are known for are claims adjusters and medical bill advocates. They investigate the claims filed and decide to deny, pay, or negotiate a settlement with the policyholder themselves or their representatives. The insurance companies that hire them provide insurances for property, casualty, and liability. To do their job well, they should be organized and understand how the insurance industry works.

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Claims adjudicator responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real claims adjudicator resumes:

  • Manage appeals and authorizations by examining information and performing necessary adjustments.
  • Handle claims processing utilizing knowledge of medical coding standards, including HCPCS, CPT, and ICD-9.
  • Calculate refunds or credit balances involving reprocessing for partial adjustments and correct the CPT and ICD-9 codes.
  • Maintain compliance with HIPAA guidelines and regulations
  • Adjudicate claims for Medicaid, Medicare, and ambulance billing.
  • Interpret and processes routine and complex claims per Medicaid industry standards.
  • Monitor, research and respond to member's appeals and grievances.
  • Team player meeting daily production needs and experience in ICD-9 and CPT-4 coding
  • Research and analyze participant claims activity, plan design, and CMS guidance in determining accurate claim payments and accumulations.
  • Ensure quality administration of CMS regulations.
  • Direct litigation in the areas of environmental liability, extra contractual claims, general liability, and medical malpractice.
  • Prepare reports and forms accordance with instructions provide by TSA.
  • Examine and adjudicate initial entitlement claims for retirement, supplemental, and relate disability annuities.

Claims adjudicator skills and personality traits

We calculated that 9% of Claims Adjudicators are proficient in Medical Terminology, CPT, and Disability Claims. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Math skills, and Analytical skills.

We break down the percentage of Claims Adjudicators that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Medical Terminology, 9%

    Required knowledge of medical terminology and appropriateness of treatment.

  • CPT, 8%

    Handled claims processing utilizing knowledge of medical coding standards, including HCPCS, CPT, and ICD-9.

  • Disability Claims, 7%

    Process disability claims for benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income Disability Programs.

  • Adjudicate Claims, 6%

    Maintain and update required reference materials to adjudicate claims.

  • Quality Standards, 6%

    Maintained quality standards and exceeded production goals of case development and completion.

  • Medicaid, 5%

    Implemented Health Plan benefit payments to Providers based on the contract rates of Provider, Medicare and/or Medicaid (CMS).

Most claims adjudicators use their skills in "medical terminology," "cpt," and "disability claims" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential claims adjudicator responsibilities here:

Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a claims adjudicator to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what claims adjudicators do because "claims adjusters and investigators must get information from a range of people, including claimants, witnesses, and medical experts." Additionally, a claims adjudicator resume shows how claims adjudicators use communication skills: "managed relationships and communications with doctor's offices, attorneys and claims examiners in regards to outstanding medical claims. "

Analytical skills. claims adjudicators are also known for analytical skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to claims adjudicator responsibilities, because "adjusters and examiners must each evaluate whether the insurance company is obligated to pay a claim and determine the amount to pay." A claims adjudicator resume example shows how analytical skills is used in the workplace: "analyze fsa health, dependent care, transit, parking and education claims for accuracy and eligibility under the irs standards"

Detail oriented. For certain claims adjudicator responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "detail oriented." The day-to-day duties of a claims adjudicator rely on this skill, as "adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators must carefully review documents and damaged property, because small details can have large financial consequences." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what claims adjudicators do: "adjudicated appeals of medicare part a coverage determinations in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented setting. "

Interpersonal skills. Another common skill required for claims adjudicator responsibilities is "interpersonal skills." This skill comes up in the duties of claims adjudicators all the time, as "adjusters, examiners, and investigators often meet with claimants and others who may be upset by the situation that requires a claim or by the settlement the company is offering." An excerpt from a real claims adjudicator resume shows how this skill is central to what a claims adjudicator does: "position required excellent interpersonal skills, and ability to understand and interpret policy provisions utilizing insurance codes. "

Most common claims adjudicator skills

The three companies that hire the most claims adjudicators are:

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Compare different claims adjudicators

Claims adjudicator vs. Worker's compensation claims examiner

Worker's Compensation Claims Examiners are responsible for managing the overall process of compensation claims for workers. They review accurate submission of claim documents, determine the appropriateness of compensation, and finalize the amount before authorizing payment to the respective worker. Other duties include ensuring claims adhere to workers' compensation law and follow proper guidelines. A Worker Compensation Claims Examiner normally work for life insurance or health companies.

We looked at the average claims adjudicator salary and compared it with the wages of a worker's compensation claims examiner. Generally speaking, workers's compensation claims examiner are paid $9,025 higher than claims adjudicators per year.Even though claims adjudicators and workers's compensation claims examiner are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require cpt, medical claims, and medical evidence in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a claims adjudicator are more likely to require skills like "medical terminology," "disability claims," "adjudicate claims," and "quality standards." On the other hand, a job as a worker's compensation claims examiner requires skills like "rehabilitation," "calculates," "social security," and "litigation." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Workers's compensation claims examiner tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $87,601. In contrast, claims adjudicators make the biggest average salary, $47,077, in the insurance industry.workers's compensation claims examiner tend to reach similar levels of education than claims adjudicators. In fact, workers's compensation claims examiner are 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Claims adjudicator vs. Liability claims representative

A liability claims representative works at insurance companies where they are in charge of processing and settling insurance claims, ensuring accurate and efficient client service. They are responsible for conducting assessments, reviewing reports from examiners, and tracking any discrepancies such as underpayment or overpayment, reporting them right away. There are also times when they must meet with clients and inspect damages, conduct interviews and evaluations, estimate and negotiate settlements with external parties, and coordinate with other professionals to gain insights. Moreover, a liability claims representative maintains an active communication line with staff, resolving issues in a timely manner.

A career as a liability claims representative brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a claims adjudicator. In fact, liability claims representatives salary is $1,098 higher than the salary of claims adjudicators per year.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, claims adjudicator responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "medical terminology," "cpt," "disability claims," and "adjudicate claims." Meanwhile, a liability claims representative has duties that require skills in areas such as "litigation," "claims handling," "customer service," and "law enforcement agencies." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Liability claims representatives may earn a higher salary than claims adjudicators, but liability claims representatives earn the most pay in the insurance industry with an average salary of $49,286. On the other hand, claims adjudicators receive higher pay in the insurance industry, where they earn an average salary of $47,077.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Liability claims representatives tend to reach similar levels of education than claims adjudicators. In fact, they're 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Claims adjudicator vs. Senior claims representative

A senior claims representative serves as a client's primary point of contact when processing insurance claims. Their responsibilities include meeting with clients to identify their needs, gathering and verifying documentation, conducting investigations to determine the validity of insurance claims, liaising with external parties, and negotiating the amount of compensation. Furthermore, as a senior claims representative, it is essential to lead and serve as a mentor to junior claims representatives, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.

An average senior claims representative eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of claims adjudicators. The difference in salaries amounts to senior claims representatives earning a $10,036 higher average salary than claims adjudicators.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a claims adjudicator is likely to be skilled in "medical terminology," "disability claims," "adjudicate claims," and "quality standards," while a typical senior claims representative is skilled in "customer service," "claims handling," "litigation," and "insurance claims."

When it comes to education, senior claims representatives tend to earn similar degree levels compared to claims adjudicators. In fact, they're 2.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Claims adjudicator vs. Claim specialist

A claims specialist is responsible for processing insurance claims, reviewing insurance coverage, and analyzing claims cases. Claims specialists' duties include negotiating claims settlements, validating claims to prevent fraud, creating court testimonies as needed, developing claim review plans, and checking necessary documents and related resolve claims. A claims specialist must have strong analytical and critical-thinking skills to authorize claim payment and investigate complex and unusual claims. Claims specialists should also have extensive knowledge of the insurance processes to handle various cases, following legal policies and regulatory procedures.

Claim specialists tend to earn a lower pay than claims adjudicators by an average of $1,392 per year.While both claims adjudicators and claim specialists complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like medical terminology, cpt, and disability claims, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between claims adjudicators and claim specialists, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a claims adjudicator might have more use for skills like "adjudicate claims," "home health," "social security administration," and "appeals." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of claim specialists require skills like "customer service," "litigation," "patients," and "claims handling. "

In general, claim specialists earn the most working in the insurance industry, with an average salary of $56,779. The highest-paying industry for a claims adjudicator is the insurance industry.claim specialists reach similar levels of education compared to claims adjudicators, in general. The difference is that they're 1.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of claims adjudicator

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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