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What is an insurance claims processor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

Insurance Claims Processors are clerks who process requests for insurance companies. They include processing new insurance policies, modifying existing ones, and obtaining information from policyholders to verify their accounts' accuracy. They analyze insurance information, perform data entry, handle insurance claims compensations, and judge whether a claim should be processed or discarded.

Typically, you need to possess a high school degree equivalent to vocational and associate's degrees to become Insurance Claims Processor. However, you're not required to hold a formal qualification as you must have experience with customer service or paperwork in the relevant field.

The graduates who approach this field end up laying claim to annual earnings at $37,927. The current median pay for an Insurance Claims Processor ranges from $33,012 to $46,104 in the U.S. However, this figure can vary significantly depending upon your experience and skills.

ScoreInsurance Claims ProcessorUS Average
Salary
2.9

Avg. Salary $37,151

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.2

Growth rate -3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.7
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.48%

Asian 3.89%

Black or African American 13.78%

Hispanic or Latino 14.38%

Unknown 4.28%

White 63.20%

Gender

female 79.70%

male 20.30%

Age - 44
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44
Stress level
6.2

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.4

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
9.5

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Insurance claims processor career paths

Key steps to become an insurance claims processor

  1. Explore insurance claims processor education requirements

    Most common insurance claims processor degrees

    Bachelor's

    30.2 %

    Associate

    27.9 %

    High School Diploma

    21.7 %
  2. Start to develop specific insurance claims processor skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Data Entry17.85%
    Customer Service10.99%
    Medicaid7.77%
    Medical Terminology6.31%
    Insurance Coverage5.05%
  3. Complete relevant insurance claims processor training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New insurance claims processors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an insurance claims processor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real insurance claims processor resumes.
  4. Research insurance claims processor duties and responsibilities

    • Manage cases by aggressively directing the litigation process.
    • Maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA laws.
    • Process ICD-9 codes, diagnostic and procedure codes.
    • Handle confidential information according to HIPPA and JAACHO standards.
  5. Prepare your insurance claims processor resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your insurance claims processor resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an insurance claims processor resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable insurance claims processor resume templates

    Build a professional insurance claims processor resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your insurance claims processor resume.
    Insurance Claims Processor Resume
    Insurance Claims Processor Resume
    Insurance Claims Processor Resume
    Insurance Claims Processor Resume
    Insurance Claims Processor Resume
    Insurance Claims Processor Resume
    Insurance Claims Processor Resume
    Insurance Claims Processor Resume
    Insurance Claims Processor Resume
  6. Apply for insurance claims processor jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an insurance claims processor job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first insurance claims processor job

Zippi

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Average insurance claims processor salary

The average insurance claims processor salary in the United States is $37,151 per year or $18 per hour. Insurance claims processor salaries range between $30,000 and $45,000 per year.

Average insurance claims processor salary
$37,151 Yearly
$17.86 hourly

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Insurance claims processor reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2024
Pros

There is no need to work in shift, especially evening or midnight shifts, disclaimer: i transitioned from the hospitality industry to insurance industry. Now i work 8-5 mostly and day off on weekends. And it has been great so far! I can finally sleep at nights now definitely!

Cons

Pay is too low especially in my country. And as we are a small firm, so career progression is super narrow. And regardless of how long i work there, pay will still be low.


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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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