Medical billing, receptionist vs medical biller coder

The differences between medical billings, receptionist and medical biller coders 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, receptionist, becoming a medical biller coder takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a medical biller coder has an average salary of $38,756, which is higher than the $34,622 average annual salary of a medical billing, receptionist.

The top three skills for a medical billing, receptionist include patients, medical billing and data entry. The most important skills for a medical biller coder are patients, medical billing, and ICD-10.

Medical billing, receptionist vs medical biller coder overview

	Medical Billing, Receptionist	Medical Biller Coder
Yearly salary	$34,622	$38,756
Hourly rate	$16.65	$18.63
Growth rate	-3%	11%
Number of jobs	115,714	54,861
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 26%	Associate Degree, 30%
Average age	46	45
Years of experience	2	12

What does a medical billing, receptionist do?

A medical billing receptionist serves as the main point of contact in a hospital. Their responsibilities revolve around greeting patients and attending to their needs, gathering and maintaining records, and checking-in patients. They also have administrative support tasks such as answering calls and responding to inquiries, arranging appointments and schedules, producing reports, keeping documentation, and handling billing processes, including insurance. Moreover, a medical billing receptionist must be alert and proactive as the conditions in a hospital can be very unpredictable.

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.

Medical billing, receptionist vs medical biller coder salary

Medical billings, receptionist and medical biller coders have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Medical Billing, Receptionist	Medical Biller Coder
Average salary	$34,622	$38,756
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $41,000	Between $30,000 And $49,000
Highest paying City	Boston, MA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	California
Best paying company	University of California, Berkeley	University of California, Berkeley
Best paying industry	Technology	Professional

Differences between medical billing, receptionist and medical biller coder education

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

	Medical Billing, Receptionist	Medical Biller Coder
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 26%	Associate Degree, 30%
Most common major	Health Care Administration	Health Care Administration
Most common college	Stanford University	University of Pennsylvania

Medical billing, receptionist vs medical biller coder demographics

Here are the differences between medical billings, receptionist' and medical biller coders' demographics:

	Medical Billing, Receptionist	Medical Biller Coder
Average age	46	45
Gender ratio	Male, 9.5% Female, 90.5%	Male, 10.0% Female, 90.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 21.9% Asian, 6.8% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black 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%
LGBT Percentage	7%	9%

Differences between medical billing, receptionist and medical biller coder duties and responsibilities

Medical billing, receptionist example responsibilities.

Accept and process healthcare claims and confidential medical records; verify patient eligibility and manage the Medicare and Medicaid billing process.
Revise CPT codes and ICD-10 codes before submitting to insurance for chiropractic services and durable medical equipment.
Review and research ICD-9 and CPT codes that are denied by payers, and contact physician offices to assist with correction.
Submit secondary insurance claims with primary insurance EOB.
Facilitate medical billing and coding by interfacing with insurance companies and patients to ensure proper billing procedures.
Discuss physicians' choice of E/M level when in question.

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.

Medical billing, receptionist vs medical biller coder skills

Common medical billing, receptionist skills

Patients, 21%
Medical Billing, 7%
Data Entry, 5%
Customer Service, 5%
CPT, 4%
Medicaid, 4%

Common medical biller coder skills

Patients, 17%
Medical Billing, 5%
ICD-10, 5%
Customer Service, 5%
CPT-4, 4%
HCPCS, 4%

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Medical Billing, Receptionist
Medical Billing, Receptionist vs Medical Biller Coder

Updated January 8, 2025

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