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Medical biller coder vs medical records technician

The differences between medical biller coders and medical records technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a medical biller coder and a medical records technician. Additionally, a medical biller coder has an average salary of $38,756, which is higher than the $37,087 average annual salary of a medical records technician.

The top three skills for a medical biller coder include patients, medical billing and ICD-10. The most important skills for a medical records technician are patients, medical terminology, and HIPAA.

Medical biller coder vs medical records technician overview

Medical Biller CoderMedical Records Technician
Yearly salary$38,756$37,087
Hourly rate$18.63$17.83
Growth rate11%11%
Number of jobs54,86167,660
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 30%Associate Degree, 34%
Average age4545
Years of experience1212

What does a medical biller coder do?

A medical biller coder is responsible for handling the billing processes and insurance within a hospital, clinic, or similar facility. They must gather patient information and records to analyze and translate them into codes according to the insurance and medical guidelines. Moreover, it is crucial to verify all patient forms and ensure their accuracy as it will serve as a basis on essential documents and medical record-keeping. There may also be instances where a medical biller coder must devise payment plans for patients, communicate with families and guardians, and coordinate with physicians.

What does a medical records technician do?

A medical records technician is responsible for performing administrative duties, handling patients' medical records for medical purposes. Medical records technicians keep an organized database of patients' information, including medical history, diagnosis, healthcare treatments, laboratory schedules, and insurance details using specific healthcare coding procedures. Medical records technicians must be detail-oriented and highly organizational, especially on maintaining the accuracy and confidentiality of patients' information. This job is critical in the healthcare industry for the doctors' reference and determining treatment costs.

Medical biller coder vs medical records technician salary

Medical biller coders and medical records technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical Biller CoderMedical Records Technician
Average salary$38,756$37,087
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $49,000Between $28,000 And $48,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CALong Branch, NJ
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew Jersey
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyGuidehouse
Best paying industryProfessionalGovernment

Differences between medical biller coder and medical records technician education

There are a few differences between a medical biller coder and a medical records technician in terms of educational background:

Medical Biller CoderMedical Records Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 30%Associate Degree, 34%
Most common majorHealth Care AdministrationHealth Care Administration
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Medical biller coder vs medical records technician demographics

Here are the differences between medical biller coders' and medical records technicians' demographics:

Medical Biller CoderMedical Records Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 10.0% Female, 90.0%Male, 18.8% Female, 81.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 8.0% White, 59.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 8.7% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between medical biller coder and medical records technician duties and responsibilities

Medical biller coder example responsibilities.

  • Manage chart completion (ICD-9-CM and CPT coding), chart assembly and analysis and patient information privacy/security.
  • Use EMR software to manage patient records and files reinforce and uphold patient confidentiality as required by HIPAA and clinic.
  • Manage chart completion (ICD-9-CM and CPT coding/abstracting), chart assembly and analysis, patient admission and patient information privacy/security.
  • Bill insurance claims using HCFA 1500 and UB-92 form.
  • Review coding, verify the diagnosis codes (ICD-9) and procedure codes (CPT) are congruent and clinically appropriate.
  • Have experience in all commercial insurances and government insurances including Medicare and Medicaid.
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Medical records technician example responsibilities.

  • Enter all patient in-take into EMR, manage triage, scheduling, and maintain a sterile clinic setting.
  • Manage medical treatment authorizations and durable medical equipment (DME) requests and verify medical eligibility for all patients requesting treatment.
  • Perform examinations in the ER, main radiology area and surgery.
  • Order medical records for patients, medical staff, outside entities, and court subpoenas for certain dates of services.
  • Audited/Validate daily outpatient medical coding accounts involving emergency rooms, surgery, interventional radiology, radiology, and ancillary services.
  • Staff education on EMR and industry regulations.
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Medical biller coder vs medical records technician skills

Common medical biller coder skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Medical Billing, 5%
  • ICD-10, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • CPT-4, 4%
  • HCPCS, 4%
Common medical records technician skills
  • Patients, 20%
  • Medical Terminology, 11%
  • HIPAA, 6%
  • Patient Care, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Medical Facilities, 4%

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