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Medical billing and coding externship vs authorization specialist

The differences between medical billing and coding externships and authorization specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a medical billing and coding externship, becoming an authorization specialist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an authorization specialist has an average salary of $36,518, which is higher than the $36,112 average annual salary of a medical billing and coding externship.

The top three skills for a medical billing and coding externship include patients, insurance eligibility and data entry. The most important skills for an authorization specialist are patients, customer service, and insurance verification.

Medical billing and coding externship vs authorization specialist overview

Medical Billing And Coding ExternshipAuthorization Specialist
Yearly salary$36,112$36,518
Hourly rate$17.36$17.56
Growth rate-3%-4%
Number of jobs98,08971,831
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeDiploma, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Average age4640
Years of experience24

Medical billing and coding externship vs authorization specialist salary

Medical billing and coding externships and authorization specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical Billing And Coding ExternshipAuthorization Specialist
Average salary$36,112$36,518
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $42,000Between $28,000 And $47,000
Highest paying City-Milford, MA
Highest paying state-Massachusetts
Best paying company-Guidehouse
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between medical billing and coding externship and authorization specialist education

There are a few differences between a medical billing and coding externship and an authorization specialist in terms of educational background:

Medical Billing And Coding ExternshipAuthorization Specialist
Most common degreeDiploma, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Most common majorHealth Care AdministrationBusiness
Most common collegeBoston UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Medical billing and coding externship vs authorization specialist demographics

Here are the differences between medical billing and coding externships' and authorization specialists' demographics:

Medical Billing And Coding ExternshipAuthorization Specialist
Average age4640
Gender ratioMale, 11.8% Female, 88.2%Male, 15.4% Female, 84.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 21.8% Asian, 6.8% White, 55.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 22.6% Asian, 6.9% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between medical billing and coding externship and authorization specialist duties and responsibilities

Medical billing and coding externship example responsibilities.

  • Manage chart completion (ICD-9-CM and CPT coding/abstracting), chart assembly and analysis, patient admission and patient information privacy/security.
  • Verify correct ICD-10 and CPT codes for a variety of specialties.
  • Review physicians' appointment notes to determine appropriate ICD-9 and HCPCS code for the medical service render.
  • Identify and code the principal diagnosis and procedures using ICD-9-CM and CPT-4 codes to each patient's medical records
  • Perform billing and collection procedures, utilize CPT-4 and ICD-9 coding, insurance claim preparation, processing and follow-ups.
  • Resolve and research of insurance denials, rejections, providing correction of claims, involving CPT and HCPCS codes.
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Authorization specialist example responsibilities.

  • Demonstrate knowledge of HIPAA by appropriately managing patient confidentiality.
  • Utilize CMS and InterQual criteria to establish authorizations for members requiring medical services for a Medicare advantage insurance company.
  • Build authorization, match ICD-10 codes with there procedure codes
  • Provide patients with patient registration forms in order to follow up on patient check-in and check-out utilizing a proprietary management system.
  • Obtain verification of insurance coverage and authorizations for clinical visits and surgical procedures for patients.
  • Perform all components of the office registration including arrival, check-in and future appointments.
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Medical billing and coding externship vs authorization specialist skills

Common medical billing and coding externship skills
  • Patients, 23%
  • Insurance Eligibility, 6%
  • Data Entry, 5%
  • EOB, 5%
  • Insurance Verification, 4%
  • CPT-4, 3%
Common authorization specialist skills
  • Patients, 20%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Insurance Verification, 6%
  • Medical Terminology, 6%
  • Insurance Eligibility, 4%
  • Veterans, 4%

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