Medical claims processor vs medical scheduler

The differences between medical claims processors and medical schedulers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a medical claims processor, becoming a medical scheduler takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a medical claims processor has an average salary of $36,777, which is higher than the $32,201 average annual salary of a medical scheduler.

The top three skills for a medical claims processor include patients, healthcare and data entry. The most important skills for a medical scheduler are patients, customer service, and medical terminology.

Medical claims processor vs medical scheduler overview

	Medical Claims Processor	Medical Scheduler
Yearly salary	$36,777	$32,201
Hourly rate	$17.68	$15.48
Growth rate	-3%	-8%
Number of jobs	59,992	67,831
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 29%	Associate Degree, 30%
Average age	44	49
Years of experience	4	2

What does a medical claims processor do?

A medical claims processor has working knowledge of medical billing and coding. The qualifications for this position include knowledge of current procedural terminology (CPT) and international classification of diseases (ICD) coding systems. They are responsible for processing claims forms, adjudicating the allocation of deductibles and copays, and following through with adjudication policies to facilitate proper payment of claims.

What does a medical scheduler do?

A medical scheduler typically works with patients to coordinate appointment dates and times with health care professionals. Medical schedulers often work in hospitals, outpatient care centers, and other medical practices. They perform other duties aside from managing patients' schedules that includes providing patients the information they need about the hospital and its policies, providing patient support, and handling and managing questions from patients. Medical schedulers also act as a link between patients, clinical staff, and referral sources.

Medical claims processor vs medical scheduler salary

Medical claims processors and medical schedulers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Medical Claims Processor	Medical Scheduler
Average salary	$36,777	$32,201
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $45,000	Between $26,000 And $38,000
Highest paying City	Dover, DE	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	Delaware	Washington
Best paying company	Cognizant	Beacon Hill Staffing Group
Best paying industry	Government	Health Care

Differences between medical claims processor and medical scheduler education

There are a few differences between a medical claims processor and a medical scheduler in terms of educational background:

	Medical Claims Processor	Medical Scheduler
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 29%	Associate Degree, 30%
Most common major	Business	Health Care Administration
Most common college	-	-

Medical claims processor vs medical scheduler demographics

Here are the differences between medical claims processors' and medical schedulers' demographics:

	Medical Claims Processor	Medical Scheduler
Average age	44	49
Gender ratio	Male, 16.0% Female, 84.0%	Male, 8.0% Female, 92.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 13.8% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 3.9% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	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	11%	9%

Differences between medical claims processor and medical scheduler duties and responsibilities

Medical claims processor example responsibilities.

Enter UB 92 and 1500 HCFA medical claims into computer system manage and process insurance claims.
Manage cases by aggressively directing the litigation process.
Submit medical claims to commercial insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid for payment with use of ICD-9 and CPT coding.
Review and verify patient account information against insurance program specifications, analyze surgical procedures and diagnoses using CPT-4 and ICD-9 codes.
Acknowledge and enforces confidentiality in alignment with (HIPPA) guidelines.
Audit encounters and ICD-10 codes to ensure correct coding and maximum reimbursement.

Medical scheduler example responsibilities.

Manage patient pre-op responsibilities, and generate all necessary paperwork.
Schedule patients for any testing that is necessary including MRI's, EMG's and Doppler's.
Transcribe physician orders including schedule labs, testing and screening/specimens and occasionally transport patients to various location of the hospital.
Prepare class for transition techniques to transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10.
Perform basic medical assistant duties such as triage, vitals, administer IM injections.
Answer multiple phone lines simultaneously, schedule patient appointments, and interact with physicians and triage patient calls.

Medical claims processor vs medical scheduler skills

Common medical claims processor skills

Patients, 13%
Healthcare, 10%
Data Entry, 10%
Medical Insurance Claims, 9%
Medical Terminology, 6%
Customer Service, 3%

Common medical scheduler skills

Patients, 29%
Customer Service, 15%
Medical Terminology, 6%
EMR, 5%
Data Entry, 3%
Insurance Verification, 3%

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Medical Claims Processor
Medical Claims Processor vs Medical Scheduler

Updated January 8, 2025

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