Medical billing and coding externship vs prior authorization specialist

The differences between medical billing and coding externships and prior 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 a prior authorization specialist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a prior authorization specialist has an average salary of $36,120, 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 a prior authorization specialist are patients, customer service, and medical necessity.

Medical billing and coding externship vs prior authorization specialist overview

	Medical Billing And Coding Externship	Prior Authorization Specialist
Yearly salary	$36,112	$36,120
Hourly rate	$17.36	$17.37
Growth rate	-3%	-4%
Number of jobs	98,089	69,667
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Diploma, 43%	Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Average age	46	40
Years of experience	2	4

Medical billing and coding externship vs prior authorization specialist salary

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

	Medical Billing And Coding Externship	Prior Authorization Specialist
Average salary	$36,112	$36,120
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $42,000	Between $27,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	-	Framingham, MA
Highest paying state	-	Massachusetts
Best paying company	-	Washington State University
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between medical billing and coding externship and prior authorization specialist education

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

	Medical Billing And Coding Externship	Prior Authorization Specialist
Most common degree	Diploma, 43%	Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Most common major	Health Care Administration	Nursing
Most common college	Boston University	University of Southern California

Medical billing and coding externship vs prior authorization specialist demographics

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

	Medical Billing And Coding Externship	Prior Authorization Specialist
Average age	46	40
Gender ratio	Male, 11.8% Female, 88.2%	Male, 18.4% Female, 81.6%
Race ratio	Black 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, 9.2% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 23.0% Asian, 6.9% White, 54.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between medical billing and coding externship and prior 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.

Prior authorization specialist example responsibilities.

Utilize CMS and InterQual criteria to establish authorizations for members requiring medical services for a Medicare advantage insurance company.
Manage quality communication, patient support and service representation with patients and providers to establish equipment/procedures statuses and expedite orders.
Work with staff to ensure proper CPT codes are submit on authorization request.
Demonstrate compassion while obtaining patient demographics and personal health information.
Register patients into the emergency department or outpatients for surgery or procedures.
Register patients' demographics and insurance information; execute daily outpatient and surgery reports.

Medical billing and coding externship vs prior 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 prior authorization specialist skills

Patients, 18%
Customer Service, 8%
Medical Necessity, 8%
Medical Terminology, 6%
Clinical Resource, 6%
Authorization Process, 4%

Medical Billing And Coding Externship vs. similar jobs

Medical Billing And Coding Externship related careers

Medical Billing And Coding Externship related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Office and Administrative Industry
Medical Billing And Coding Externship
Medical Billing And Coding Externship vs Prior Authorization Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse office and administrative jobs