Medical clerk vs medical collector

The differences between medical clerks and medical collectors 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 clerk, becoming a medical collector takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a medical collector has an average salary of $36,235, which is higher than the $32,439 average annual salary of a medical clerk.

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

Medical clerk vs medical collector overview

	Medical Clerk	Medical Collector
Yearly salary	$32,439	$36,235
Hourly rate	$15.60	$17.42
Growth rate	-8%	-8%
Number of jobs	166,322	73,797
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 26%	Bachelor's Degree, 24%
Average age	49	46
Years of experience	2	12

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 medical collector do?

A medical collector deals with collection of bills related to medical services. They handle healthcare-related debt, collect patient insurance information, and develop repayment plans to accommodate debtors that are unable to settle their accounts. Qualifications for this position include knowledge of accounting and training in insurance, business or finance.

Medical clerk vs medical collector salary

Medical clerks and medical collectors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Medical Clerk	Medical Collector
Average salary	$32,439	$36,235
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $40,000	Between $30,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	Arlington Heights, IL
Highest paying state	Minnesota	Illinois
Best paying company	Brinks Gilson	Addison Group
Best paying industry	Government	Finance

Differences between medical clerk and medical collector education

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

	Medical Clerk	Medical Collector
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 26%	Bachelor's Degree, 24%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Medical clerk vs medical collector demographics

Here are the differences between medical clerks' and medical collectors' demographics:

	Medical Clerk	Medical Collector
Average age	49	46
Gender ratio	Male, 15.5% Female, 84.5%	Male, 18.0% Female, 82.0%
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, 13.6% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 22.6% Asian, 3.3% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	9%	8%

Differences between medical clerk and medical collector 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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Medical collector example responsibilities.

Use EMR software to manage patient records and files; reinforce and uphold patient confidentiality as required by HIPAA and clinic.
Perform as a mediator between insurance companies and patients collecting nationwide extensive medical bills.
Utilize A/R reports and identify accounts that are past payments.
Maintain a filing system of clients' medical records and disclosure following HIPPA guidelines.
Post appropriate adjustment types and carrier payments to accounts for true A/R account balance reflection.
Maintain strict confidentiality; adhering to all HIPAA guidelines/regulations.

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Medical clerk vs medical collector skills

Common medical clerk skills

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

Common medical collector skills

Patients, 22%
Healthcare, 9%
Customer Service, 7%
Medical Collections, 5%
Appeals, 5%
Medicaid, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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