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Medical claims specialist vs medical records clerk

The differences between medical claims specialists and medical records clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a medical claims specialist and a medical records clerk. Additionally, a medical claims specialist has an average salary of $35,706, which is higher than the $32,491 average annual salary of a medical records clerk.

The top three skills for a medical claims specialist include customer service, patients and medicaid. The most important skills for a medical records clerk are patients, customer service, and data entry.

Medical claims specialist vs medical records clerk overview

Medical Claims SpecialistMedical Records Clerk
Yearly salary$35,706$32,491
Hourly rate$17.17$15.62
Growth rate11%11%
Number of jobs82,897129,998
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%Associate Degree, 29%
Average age4545
Years of experience1212

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 a medical records clerk do?

Medical records clerks are employees in hospitals or clinics who manage office records. They are in charge of creating, updating, and filing patient-related medical records and other related documents. They ensure that all documents are correctly filled out and labeled before storing them safely in their respective storage areas. They may also be in charge of digitizing forms for easier access to files and back up purposes. They ensure that medical records are exact and updated. Medical records clerks should be organized and must always be on top of all tasks related to patient or medical records.

Medical claims specialist vs medical records clerk salary

Medical claims specialists and medical records clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical Claims SpecialistMedical Records Clerk
Average salary$35,706$32,491
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $43,000Between $25,000 And $40,000
Highest paying CityAttleboro, MARochester, NY
Highest paying stateConnecticutAlaska
Best paying companyTotal Medical Personnel StaffingUniversity of California, Berkeley
Best paying industryGovernmentHealth Care

Differences between medical claims specialist and medical records clerk education

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

Medical Claims SpecialistMedical Records Clerk
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%Associate Degree, 29%
Most common majorBusinessHealth Care Administration
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Medical claims specialist vs medical records clerk demographics

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

Medical Claims SpecialistMedical Records Clerk
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 16.7% Female, 83.3%Male, 13.1% Female, 86.9%
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, 9.2% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 7.8% White, 60.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between medical claims specialist and medical records clerk 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

Medical records clerk example responsibilities.

  • Manage transition from in-house transcription system to outsource transcription service.
  • Manage front office check-in, insurance verification and certifications from doctors.
  • Accept and process healthcare claims and confidential medical records; verify patient eligibility and manage the Medicare and Medicaid billing process.
  • Perform infant labs and update the system with results, triage incoming patients, perform necessary resuscitation to baby and mom.
  • Provide information to medical facilities and patients when necessary and respond to subpoenas and other general release of patient information.
  • Experience in CPT and ICD-10 coding.
  • Show more

Medical claims specialist vs medical records clerk skills

Common medical claims specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Patients, 9%
  • Medicaid, 7%
  • Medical Billing, 6%
  • Phone Calls, 6%
  • Medical Terminology, 5%
Common medical records clerk skills
  • Patients, 27%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Data Entry, 7%
  • Medical Terminology, 6%
  • HIPAA, 5%
  • Patient Care, 4%

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