Medical record coder vs medical biller coder

The differences between medical record coders and medical biller coders 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 record coder and a medical biller coder. Additionally, a medical record coder has an average salary of $54,162, which is higher than the $38,756 average annual salary of a medical biller coder.

The top three skills for a medical record coder include medical terminology, patients and CPC. The most important skills for a medical biller coder are patients, medical billing, and ICD-10.

Medical record coder vs medical biller coder overview

	Medical Record Coder	Medical Biller Coder
Yearly salary	$54,162	$38,756
Hourly rate	$26.04	$18.63
Growth rate	11%	11%
Number of jobs	51,197	54,861
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 44%	Associate Degree, 30%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	12	12

What does a medical record coder do?

A medical record coder is responsible for translating medical files and documents to comprehensive files required by insurance companies and other non-medical institutions. Medical record coders disclose all the patients' information on the file, including their treatment procedures, diagnosis, and medications. They serve as the representative of a medical institution to respond to inquiries and concerns, resolve record discrepancies, and submit additional documents as necessary. A medical record coder must have excellent communication skills, as well as extensive knowledge of the medical industry to discuss medical terms accurately and efficiently.

What does a medical biller coder do?

A medical biller coder is responsible for handling the billing processes and insurance within a hospital, clinic, or similar facility. They must gather patient information and records to analyze and translate them into codes according to the insurance and medical guidelines. Moreover, it is crucial to verify all patient forms and ensure their accuracy as it will serve as a basis on essential documents and medical record-keeping. There may also be instances where a medical biller coder must devise payment plans for patients, communicate with families and guardians, and coordinate with physicians.

Medical record coder vs medical biller coder salary

Medical record coders and medical biller coders have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Medical Record Coder	Medical Biller Coder
Average salary	$54,162	$38,756
Salary range	Between $39,000 And $75,000	Between $30,000 And $49,000
Highest paying City	-	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	University of California, Berkeley
Best paying industry	-	Professional

Differences between medical record coder and medical biller coder education

There are a few differences between a medical record coder and a medical biller coder in terms of educational background:

	Medical Record Coder	Medical Biller Coder
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 44%	Associate Degree, 30%
Most common major	Health Care Administration	Health Care Administration
Most common college	University of Southern California	University of Pennsylvania

Medical record coder vs medical biller coder demographics

Here are the differences between medical record coders' and medical biller coders' demographics:

	Medical Record Coder	Medical Biller Coder
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 12.7% Female, 87.3%	Male, 10.0% Female, 90.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 8.6% White, 58.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%	Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 8.0% White, 59.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between medical record coder and medical biller coder duties and responsibilities

Medical record coder example responsibilities.

Create documentation education classes to general surgery residents, increasing the leveling of reporting which lead to increase revenues.
Obtain medical records through electronic health records (EHR).
Bill all Medicare, Medicaid, BlueCross, PPO claims electronically.
Maintain the strictest confidentiality and adhere to all HIPAA guidelines and regulations.
Code and charge ER records, apply E/M codes, correct billing errors, and code infusion records.
Process all charges receive from outside services to include CPT, ICD-9, or any other necessary information.

Medical biller coder example responsibilities.

Manage chart completion (ICD-9-CM and CPT coding), chart assembly and analysis and patient information privacy/security.
Use EMR software to manage patient records and files reinforce and uphold patient confidentiality as required by HIPAA and clinic.
Manage chart completion (ICD-9-CM and CPT coding/abstracting), chart assembly and analysis, patient admission and patient information privacy/security.
Bill insurance claims using HCFA 1500 and UB-92 form.
Review coding, verify the diagnosis codes (ICD-9) and procedure codes (CPT) are congruent and clinically appropriate.
Have experience in all commercial insurances and government insurances including Medicare and Medicaid.

Medical record coder vs medical biller coder skills

Common medical record coder skills

Medical Terminology, 12%
Patients, 12%
CPC, 10%
ICD-10-CM, 10%
Physiology, 8%
AHIMA, 8%

Common medical biller coder skills

Patients, 17%
Medical Billing, 5%
ICD-10, 5%
Customer Service, 5%
CPT-4, 4%
HCPCS, 4%

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Medical Record Coder vs Medical Biller Coder

Updated January 8, 2025

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