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Medical billing and coding externship vs medical clerk

The differences between medical billing and coding externships and medical clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a medical billing and coding externship and a medical clerk. Additionally, a medical billing and coding externship has an average salary of $36,112, which is higher than the $32,439 average annual salary of a medical clerk.

The top three skills for a medical billing and coding externship include patients, insurance eligibility and data entry. The most important skills for a medical clerk are patients, medical terminology, and data entry.

Medical billing and coding externship vs medical clerk overview

Medical Billing And Coding ExternshipMedical Clerk
Yearly salary$36,112$32,439
Hourly rate$17.36$15.60
Growth rate-3%-8%
Number of jobs98,089166,322
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeDiploma, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 26%
Average age4649
Years of experience22

Medical billing and coding externship vs medical clerk salary

Medical billing and coding externships and medical clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical Billing And Coding ExternshipMedical Clerk
Average salary$36,112$32,439
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $42,000Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-Minnesota
Best paying company-Brinks Gilson
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between medical billing and coding externship and medical clerk education

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

Medical Billing And Coding ExternshipMedical Clerk
Most common degreeDiploma, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 26%
Most common majorHealth Care AdministrationBusiness
Most common collegeBoston University-

Medical billing and coding externship vs medical clerk demographics

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

Medical Billing And Coding ExternshipMedical Clerk
Average age4649
Gender ratioMale, 11.8% Female, 88.2%Male, 15.5% Female, 84.5%
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, 9.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 3.8% White, 70.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage7%9%

Differences between medical billing and coding externship and medical clerk 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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Medical clerk example responsibilities.

  • Evaluate all EOB's to insure accurate payment is received and when necessary will file appeals to achieve optimal payments.
  • Follow HIPPA patient confidentiality guidelines making patients or facility have filled proper forms to release records.
  • File results of laboratory tests, x-rays, EKG's, etc., in patients records.
  • Respond and resolve patient inquiries with compassion and patience.
  • Prepare request for EKG tests, eye examinations, audio and dental records.
  • Enter deficiencies into MediTech program.
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Medical billing and coding externship vs medical clerk 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 medical clerk skills
  • Patients, 32%
  • Medical Terminology, 6%
  • Data Entry, 6%
  • Phone Calls, 5%
  • Patient Care, 4%
  • Telephone Calls, 3%

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