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Medical records clerk vs medical biller coder

The differences between medical records clerks 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 records clerk and a medical biller coder. Additionally, a medical biller coder has an average salary of $38,756, which is higher than the $32,491 average annual salary of a medical records clerk.

The top three skills for a medical records clerk include patients, customer service and data entry. The most important skills for a medical biller coder are patients, medical billing, and ICD-10.

Medical records clerk vs medical biller coder overview

Medical Records ClerkMedical Biller Coder
Yearly salary$32,491$38,756
Hourly rate$15.62$18.63
Growth rate11%11%
Number of jobs129,99854,861
Job satisfaction55
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 29%Associate Degree, 30%
Average age4545
Years of experience1212

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.

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 records clerk vs medical biller coder salary

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

Medical Records ClerkMedical Biller Coder
Average salary$32,491$38,756
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $40,000Between $30,000 And $49,000
Highest paying CityRochester, NYSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaCalifornia
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyUniversity of California, Berkeley
Best paying industryHealth CareProfessional

Differences between medical records clerk and medical biller coder education

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

Medical Records ClerkMedical Biller Coder
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 29%Associate Degree, 30%
Most common majorHealth Care AdministrationHealth Care Administration
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Medical records clerk vs medical biller coder demographics

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

Medical Records ClerkMedical Biller Coder
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 13.1% Female, 86.9%Male, 10.0% Female, 90.0%
Race ratioBlack 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%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 Percentage9%9%

Differences between medical records clerk and medical biller coder duties and responsibilities

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 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.
  • Show more

Medical records clerk vs medical biller coder skills

Common medical records clerk skills
  • Patients, 27%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Data Entry, 7%
  • Medical Terminology, 6%
  • HIPAA, 5%
  • Patient Care, 4%
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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