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Medical claims specialist vs authorization specialist

The differences between medical claims specialists and authorization specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a medical claims specialist, becoming an authorization specialist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an authorization specialist has an average salary of $36,518, which is higher than the $35,706 average annual salary of a medical claims specialist.

The top three skills for a medical claims specialist include customer service, patients and medicaid. The most important skills for an authorization specialist are patients, customer service, and insurance verification.

Medical claims specialist vs authorization specialist overview

Medical Claims SpecialistAuthorization Specialist
Yearly salary$35,706$36,518
Hourly rate$17.17$17.56
Growth rate11%-4%
Number of jobs82,89771,831
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Average age4540
Years of experience124

What does a medical claims specialist do?

A medical claims specialist is responsible for gathering and processing the information required to complete the medical insurance claims process. Typical duties include determining covered medical insurance losses, documenting medical claims actions, and resolving claims through approval or denial of documentation. In addition, you will be responsible for maintaining excellent customer service by responding to customer inquiries and following best practices. You will also be responsible for protecting company operations by maintaining the confidentiality of information.

What does an authorization specialist do?

An authorization specialist is responsible for reviewing insurance claims and determining the necessary settlement for the clients and involved parties. Authorization specialists file documents and gather the required information for further investigation and analysis. They coordinate with the insurance agency and the medical institution and ensure that the correct communications are being sent out for reference. An authorization specialist must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in writing authorization requests and resolve claims timely and efficiently.

Medical claims specialist vs authorization specialist salary

Medical claims specialists and authorization specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical Claims SpecialistAuthorization Specialist
Average salary$35,706$36,518
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $43,000Between $28,000 And $47,000
Highest paying CityAttleboro, MAMilford, MA
Highest paying stateConnecticutMassachusetts
Best paying companyTotal Medical Personnel StaffingGuidehouse
Best paying industryGovernmentHealth Care

Differences between medical claims specialist and authorization specialist education

There are a few differences between a medical claims specialist and an authorization specialist in terms of educational background:

Medical Claims SpecialistAuthorization Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Medical claims specialist vs authorization specialist demographics

Here are the differences between medical claims specialists' and authorization specialists' demographics:

Medical Claims SpecialistAuthorization Specialist
Average age4540
Gender ratioMale, 16.7% Female, 83.3%Male, 15.4% Female, 84.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 8.3% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 22.6% Asian, 6.9% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage9%7%

Differences between medical claims specialist and authorization specialist duties and responsibilities

Medical claims specialist example responsibilities.

  • Apply Medicare, Medicaid billing guidelines to achieve maximum reimbursement.
  • Detail knowledge of medical coding; ICD-9, CPT and HCPCS codes.
  • Confirm coverage and work with private payers, commercial payers, Medicaid, and Medicare for reimbursement of provide medical services.
  • Research medical records, compliance requirements and explanations of benefits to resolve accounts payable for Medicare, Medicaid and commercial insurance.
  • Maintain strict confidentiality/privacy of patients' protect health information in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
  • Assist in educating new hires in HIPPA laws and training.
  • Show more

Authorization specialist example responsibilities.

  • Demonstrate knowledge of HIPAA by appropriately managing patient confidentiality.
  • Utilize CMS and InterQual criteria to establish authorizations for members requiring medical services for a Medicare advantage insurance company.
  • Build authorization, match ICD-10 codes with there procedure codes
  • Provide patients with patient registration forms in order to follow up on patient check-in and check-out utilizing a proprietary management system.
  • Obtain verification of insurance coverage and authorizations for clinical visits and surgical procedures for patients.
  • Perform all components of the office registration including arrival, check-in and future appointments.
  • Show more

Medical claims specialist vs authorization specialist skills

Common medical claims specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Patients, 9%
  • Medicaid, 7%
  • Medical Billing, 6%
  • Phone Calls, 6%
  • Medical Terminology, 5%
Common authorization specialist skills
  • Patients, 20%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Insurance Verification, 6%
  • Medical Terminology, 6%
  • Insurance Eligibility, 4%
  • Veterans, 4%

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