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Medical insurance coder vs medical billing clerk

The differences between medical insurance coders and medical billing 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 insurance coder and a medical billing clerk. Additionally, a medical billing clerk has an average salary of $33,566, which is higher than the $32,709 average annual salary of a medical insurance coder.

The top three skills for a medical insurance coder include patients, insurance verification and medicaid. The most important skills for a medical billing clerk are patients, medical billing, and healthcare.

Medical insurance coder vs medical billing clerk overview

Medical Insurance CoderMedical Billing Clerk
Yearly salary$32,709$33,566
Hourly rate$15.73$16.14
Growth rate-3%-3%
Number of jobs81,028164,870
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 33%Associate Degree, 30%
Average age4646
Years of experience22

Medical insurance coder vs medical billing clerk salary

Medical insurance coders and medical billing clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical Insurance CoderMedical Billing Clerk
Average salary$32,709$33,566
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $38,000Between $27,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City-San Leandro, CA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-iCare
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between medical insurance coder and medical billing clerk education

There are a few differences between a medical insurance coder and a medical billing clerk in terms of educational background:

Medical Insurance CoderMedical Billing Clerk
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 33%Associate Degree, 30%
Most common majorHealth Care AdministrationHealth Care Administration
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaStanford University

Medical insurance coder vs medical billing clerk demographics

Here are the differences between medical insurance coders' and medical billing clerks' demographics:

Medical Insurance CoderMedical Billing Clerk
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 10.8% Female, 89.2%Male, 11.3% Female, 88.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 6.8% White, 57.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 21.9% Asian, 6.8% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between medical insurance coder and medical billing clerk duties and responsibilities

Medical insurance coder example responsibilities.

  • Assign to PacifiCare of Washington a medical insurance manage care plan (HMO).
  • Manage chart completion (ICD-9-CM and CPT coding/abstracting), chart assembly and analysis, patient admission and patient information privacy/security.
  • Maintain and update ICD-9, CPT-4 & HCPCS coding for practice.
  • Bill major insurance carriers and Medicaid using ICD-9 and CPT codes.
  • Deliver explanation of insurance coverage and patient responsibilities to patients base on their policy.
  • Determine diagnosis and E/M level.
    • Show more

Medical billing clerk example responsibilities.

  • Accept and process healthcare claims and confidential medical records; verify patient eligibility and manage the Medicare and Medicaid billing process.
  • Interact with patients as part of the quality assurance process (follow-up, EHR confirmation, billing confirmation).
  • Reconcile insurance and patient payments while researching and resolving incorrect payments, EOB rejections, and assort issues with outstanding accounts.
  • Utilize medical terminology and follow HIPAA guidelines.
  • Bill Magellan through Nextgen system.
  • Double checked CMS-1500 form before posting it out to the insurance companies.
    • Show more

Medical insurance coder vs medical billing clerk skills

Common medical insurance coder skills
  • Patients, 19%
  • Insurance Verification, 11%
  • Medicaid, 6%
  • Patient Accounts, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Medical Insurance Claims, 5%
Common medical billing clerk skills
  • Patients, 18%
  • Medical Billing, 10%
  • Healthcare, 7%
  • Data Entry, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Medicaid, 5%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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