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The differences between claims support specialists and support clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a claims support specialist, becoming a support clerk takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a claims support specialist has an average salary of $37,033, which is higher than the $35,159 average annual salary of a support clerk.
The top three skills for a claims support specialist include data entry, dictation and claims support. The most important skills for a support clerk are customer service, data entry, and patients.
| Claims Support Specialist | Support Clerk | |
| Yearly salary | $37,033 | $35,159 |
| Hourly rate | $17.80 | $16.90 |
| Growth rate | -4% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 120,650 | 163,168 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Average age | 40 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
Claims support specialists are the ones who make sure that the right amount of reimbursement rates is paid based on their client's contracts. Their job includes processing medical record requests and reviewing the secondary and tertiary claims for legitimacy. Working with physician and billing office employees to find resolutions for outstanding claim issues is a part of their responsibilities as claim support specialists. They also make follow up calls about unprocessed or denied insurance claims. And having good communication skills and knowledge in healthcare receivables and collections will help them succeed.
A support clerk is primarily in charge of performing administrative support tasks in an office, making the daily workflow easier. Their responsibilities typically include preparing and processing documentation, answering and forwarding calls, handling correspondence, disseminating and organizing files, and running errands as needed. They may also update databases, maintaining records of all transactions. Furthermore, as a support clerk, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff, coordinating to ensure efficient and smooth workplace operations.
Claims support specialists and support clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Claims Support Specialist | Support Clerk | |
| Average salary | $37,033 | $35,159 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $47,000 | Between $22,000 And $54,000 |
| Highest paying City | Rancho Cordova, CA | San Diego, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | W. R. Berkley | Los Alamos National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Insurance | Government |
There are a few differences between a claims support specialist and a support clerk in terms of educational background:
| Claims Support Specialist | Support Clerk | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between claims support specialists' and support clerks' demographics:
| Claims Support Specialist | Support Clerk | |
| Average age | 40 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 22.3% Female, 77.7% | Male, 26.1% Female, 73.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 6.8% White, 58.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 8.4% White, 54.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 6% |