Medical billing clerk vs medical receptionist

The differences between medical billing clerks and medical receptionists 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 clerk and a medical receptionist. Additionally, a medical billing clerk has an average salary of $33,566, which is higher than the $31,960 average annual salary of a medical receptionist.

The top three skills for a medical billing clerk include patients, medical billing and healthcare. The most important skills for a medical receptionist are patients, customer service, and check-in.

Medical billing clerk vs medical receptionist overview

	Medical Billing Clerk	Medical Receptionist
Yearly salary	$33,566	$31,960
Hourly rate	$16.14	$15.37
Growth rate	-3%	-8%
Number of jobs	164,870	118,048
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 30%	Associate Degree, 28%
Average age	46	49
Years of experience	2	2

What does a medical billing clerk do?

A medical billing clerk is primarily in charge of processing payments and creating billing arrangements in clinics and hospitals. Among their responsibilities include gathering and verifying patient identification, handling insurance information, coding, updating databases, and maintaining records. It is also their responsibility to assist patients by filling out forms, answering their inquiries, and referring them to other services. Moreover, a medical billing clerk must monitor patient accounts and follow-up on delinquent patient accounts, coordinating with collection agencies as needed.

What does a medical receptionist do?

Medical receptionists are responsible for manning the front desk at a medical facility such as a clinic or a hospital. They manage schedules and appointments in the clinic or hospital. They help patients to their respective appointments. They also assist doctors, nurses, and other medical practitioners by ensuring that the schedule for the day is being followed. They are also in charge of assisting visitors by directing them wherever they would need to go. Medical receptionists also answer inquiries by patients or visitors. Medical knowledge, great customer service skills, and a friendly attitude are needed.

Medical billing clerk vs medical receptionist salary

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

	Medical Billing Clerk	Medical Receptionist
Average salary	$33,566	$31,960
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $40,000	Between $26,000 And $38,000
Highest paying City	San Leandro, CA	Portland, ME
Highest paying state	Washington	Maine
Best paying company	iCare	CENTER FOR SIGHT
Best paying industry	Health Care	Health Care

Differences between medical billing clerk and medical receptionist education

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

	Medical Billing Clerk	Medical Receptionist
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 30%	Associate Degree, 28%
Most common major	Health Care Administration	Health Care Administration
Most common college	Stanford University	-

Medical billing clerk vs medical receptionist demographics

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

	Medical Billing Clerk	Medical Receptionist
Average age	46	49
Gender ratio	Male, 11.3% Female, 88.7%	Male, 5.2% Female, 94.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 21.9% Asian, 6.8% White, 55.8% 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 Percentage	7%	9%

Differences between medical billing clerk and medical receptionist duties and responsibilities

Medical billing clerk example responsibilities.

Accept and process healthcare claims and confidential medical records; verify patient eligibility and manage the Medicare and Medicaid billing process.
Interact with patients as part of the quality assurance process (follow-up, EHR confirmation, billing confirmation).
Reconcile insurance and patient payments while researching and resolving incorrect payments, EOB rejections, and assort issues with outstanding accounts.
Utilize medical terminology and follow HIPAA guidelines.
Bill Magellan through Nextgen system.
Double checked CMS-1500 form before posting it out to the insurance companies.

Medical receptionist example responsibilities.

Conduct analysis to address long wait times which lead to faster triage, shorter wait times.
Evaluate all EOB's to insure accurate payment is received and when necessary will file appeals to achieve optimal payments.
Greet and check-in patients, including obtaining accurate patient demographic information, patient registration, and checking insurance eligibility.
Learned and operate chiropractic equipment (decompression; Leander) & x-rays; enabling Dr to have more time for patients.
Resolve concerns of terminally ill patients with compassion and professionalism.
Identify patients' specific scheduling requirements while demonstrating care and compassion via telephone.

Medical billing clerk vs medical receptionist skills

Common medical billing clerk skills

Patients, 18%
Medical Billing, 10%
Healthcare, 7%
Data Entry, 7%
Customer Service, 6%
Medicaid, 5%

Common medical receptionist skills

Patients, 30%
Customer Service, 9%
Check-In, 6%
Medical Terminology, 6%
Patient Care, 4%
Front Desk, 4%

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Medical Billing Clerk
Medical Billing Clerk vs Medical Receptionist

Updated January 8, 2025

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