Medical clerk vs front office clerk

The differences between medical clerks and front office clerks 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 clerk and a front office clerk. Additionally, a medical clerk has an average salary of $32,439, which is higher than the $31,051 average annual salary of a front office clerk.

The top three skills for a medical clerk include patients, medical terminology and data entry. The most important skills for a front office clerk are patients, check-in, and data entry.

Medical clerk vs front office clerk overview

	Medical Clerk	Front Office Clerk
Yearly salary	$32,439	$31,051
Hourly rate	$15.60	$14.93
Growth rate	-8%	-5%
Number of jobs	166,322	163,789
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 26%	Associate Degree, 28%
Average age	49	47
Years of experience	2	2

What does a medical clerk do?

A medical clerk works in the administrative area of a medical facility or hospital. The medical clerk collects all patient information and medical records. The clerk also does all the clinic or hospital paperwork and generates reports of all transactions that transpired in a day's work. The medical clerk also processes admission and discharge papers, medical charts, properly file and safeguard all patient records and secure them from unauthorized access. The medical clerk is expected to be highly organized, capable of handling pressure, and has good communication skills.

What does a front office clerk do?

A front office clerk performs various administrative and secretarial duties, including welcoming and greeting clients and visitors, answering telephone calls, and managing the office budget. You will be responsible for monitoring, organizing, and forwarding emails and maintaining files and records. Other duties include following company policies and procedures, organizing transportation for guests, and handling and resolving guest complaints. In addition, you will also be responsible for invoicing and billing guests for their stay and used services.

Medical clerk vs front office clerk salary

Medical clerks and front office clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Medical Clerk	Front Office Clerk
Average salary	$32,439	$31,051
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $40,000	Between $25,000 And $37,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state	Minnesota	Alaska
Best paying company	Brinks Gilson	Limbach
Best paying industry	Government	Government

Differences between medical clerk and front office clerk education

There are a few differences between a medical clerk and a front office clerk in terms of educational background:

	Medical Clerk	Front Office Clerk
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 26%	Associate Degree, 28%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	University of Pennsylvania

Medical clerk vs front office clerk demographics

Here are the differences between medical clerks' and front office clerks' demographics:

	Medical Clerk	Front Office Clerk
Average age	49	47
Gender ratio	Male, 15.5% Female, 84.5%	Male, 13.9% Female, 86.1%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 24.3% Asian, 7.0% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	9%	6%

Differences between medical clerk and front office clerk duties and responsibilities

Medical clerk example responsibilities.

Evaluate all EOB's to insure accurate payment is received and when necessary will file appeals to achieve optimal payments.
Follow HIPPA patient confidentiality guidelines making patients or facility have filled proper forms to release records.
File results of laboratory tests, x-rays, EKG's, etc., in patients records.
Respond and resolve patient inquiries with compassion and patience.
Prepare request for EKG tests, eye examinations, audio and dental records.
Enter deficiencies into MediTech program.

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Front office clerk example responsibilities.

Manage front office check-in, insurance verification and certifications from doctors.
Maintain a high knowledge level of regulations on the confidentiality of medical records (HIPAA).
Verify releases of information according to HIPPA regulations.
Maintain confidentiality of patient information; abiding by HIPPA guidelines.
Register all patients per registration protocols, schedule appointments, and provide appointment reminder calls.
Respond to routine technical questions regarding patients' right and responsibilities and medical eligibility for care.

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Medical clerk vs front office clerk skills

Common medical clerk skills

Patients, 32%
Medical Terminology, 6%
Data Entry, 6%
Phone Calls, 5%
Patient Care, 4%
Telephone Calls, 3%

Common front office clerk skills

Patients, 34%
Check-In, 8%
Data Entry, 8%
Customer Service, 7%
Front Desk, 4%
Appointment Scheduling, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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