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Medical record coder vs medical records clerk

The differences between medical record coders and medical records clerks 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 records clerk. Additionally, a medical record coder has an average salary of $54,162, which is higher than the $32,491 average annual salary of a medical records clerk.

The top three skills for a medical record coder include medical terminology, patients and CPC. The most important skills for a medical records clerk are patients, customer service, and data entry.

Medical record coder vs medical records clerk overview

Medical Record CoderMedical Records Clerk
Yearly salary$54,162$32,491
Hourly rate$26.04$15.62
Growth rate11%11%
Number of jobs51,197129,998
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 44%Associate Degree, 29%
Average age4545
Years of experience1212

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 records clerk do?

Medical records clerks are employees in hospitals or clinics who manage office records. They are in charge of creating, updating, and filing patient-related medical records and other related documents. They ensure that all documents are correctly filled out and labeled before storing them safely in their respective storage areas. They may also be in charge of digitizing forms for easier access to files and back up purposes. They ensure that medical records are exact and updated. Medical records clerks should be organized and must always be on top of all tasks related to patient or medical records.

Medical record coder vs medical records clerk salary

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

Medical Record CoderMedical Records Clerk
Average salary$54,162$32,491
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $75,000Between $25,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City-Rochester, NY
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-University of California, Berkeley
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between medical record coder and medical records clerk education

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

Medical Record CoderMedical Records Clerk
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 44%Associate Degree, 29%
Most common majorHealth Care AdministrationHealth Care Administration
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Medical record coder vs medical records clerk demographics

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

Medical Record CoderMedical Records Clerk
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 12.7% Female, 87.3%Male, 13.1% Female, 86.9%
Race ratioBlack 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, 9.2% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 7.8% White, 60.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between medical record coder and medical records clerk 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.
  • Show more

Medical records clerk example responsibilities.

  • Manage transition from in-house transcription system to outsource transcription service.
  • Manage front office check-in, insurance verification and certifications from doctors.
  • Accept and process healthcare claims and confidential medical records; verify patient eligibility and manage the Medicare and Medicaid billing process.
  • Perform infant labs and update the system with results, triage incoming patients, perform necessary resuscitation to baby and mom.
  • Provide information to medical facilities and patients when necessary and respond to subpoenas and other general release of patient information.
  • Experience in CPT and ICD-10 coding.
  • Show more

Medical record coder vs medical records clerk skills

Common medical record coder skills
  • Medical Terminology, 12%
  • Patients, 12%
  • CPC, 10%
  • ICD-10-CM, 10%
  • Physiology, 8%
  • AHIMA, 8%
Common medical records clerk skills
  • Patients, 27%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Data Entry, 7%
  • Medical Terminology, 6%
  • HIPAA, 5%
  • Patient Care, 4%

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