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Medical collector vs billing representative

The differences between medical collectors and billing representatives 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 collector, becoming a billing representative takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a medical collector has an average salary of $36,235, which is higher than the $35,002 average annual salary of a billing representative.

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

Medical collector vs billing representative overview

Medical CollectorBilling Representative
Yearly salary$36,235$35,002
Hourly rate$17.42$16.83
Growth rate-8%-3%
Number of jobs73,79795,425
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 24%Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Average age4646
Years of experience122

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.

What does a billing representative do?

A billing representative assists with the overall operations of the organization's billing department. Billing representatives post payments timely on the database, update account statements, generate financial reports, release invoices, and resolve account discrepancies. They also perform client accounts reconciliation as needed, monitor account receivables, review overdated balance, and notify clients of payment updates to ensure accurate and timely billing. A billing representative must have strong analytical and communication skills to manage clients' accounts, as well as comprehensive knowledge on the accounting industry to explain the payment terms and policies of an organization to a client.

Medical collector vs billing representative salary

Medical collectors and billing representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical CollectorBilling Representative
Average salary$36,235$35,002
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $42,000Between $28,000 And $42,000
Highest paying CityArlington Heights, ILWorcester, MA
Highest paying stateIllinoisMassachusetts
Best paying companyAddison GroupRelevante
Best paying industryFinanceTechnology

Differences between medical collector and billing representative education

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

Medical CollectorBilling Representative
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 24%Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college-Stanford University

Medical collector vs billing representative demographics

Here are the differences between medical collectors' and billing representatives' demographics:

Medical CollectorBilling Representative
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 18.0% Female, 82.0%Male, 15.7% Female, 84.3%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 7.3% White, 57.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage8%7%

Differences between medical collector and billing representative duties and responsibilities

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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Billing representative example responsibilities.

  • Manage software programs for MSP accounts, monthly billing and EMC file transfers to Medicare.
  • Accept and process healthcare claims and confidential medical records; verify patient eligibility and manage the Medicare and Medicaid billing process.
  • Process orders in compliance with Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance verification guidelines; confirming customer's eligibility and insurance coverage.
  • Verify insurance eligibility for schedule appointments, and verify cash pricing for private pay patients who request cost by CPT code.
  • Submit and receive Medicare and Medicaid claims electronically on a daily basis.
  • Utilize extensive computer skills and coding knowledge to produce and submit physical therapy and occupational therapy claims through medicaid and medicare.
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Medical collector vs billing representative skills

Common medical collector skills
  • Patients, 22%
  • Healthcare, 9%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Medical Collections, 5%
  • Appeals, 5%
  • Medicaid, 4%
Common billing representative skills
  • Patients, 18%
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Data Entry, 6%
  • Medical Billing, 5%
  • Medicaid, 5%
  • Patient Accounts, 4%

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