Tumor registrar vs medical biller coder

The differences between tumor registrars 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 tumor registrar and a medical biller coder. Additionally, a tumor registrar has an average salary of $57,112, which is higher than the $38,756 average annual salary of a medical biller coder.

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

Tumor registrar vs medical biller coder overview

	Tumor Registrar	Medical Biller Coder
Yearly salary	$57,112	$38,756
Hourly rate	$27.46	$18.63
Growth rate	11%	11%
Number of jobs	11,463	54,861
Job satisfaction	5	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 46%	Associate Degree, 30%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	12	12

What does a tumor registrar do?

A tumor registrar specializes in documenting tumor cases such as diagnoses and treatments. In hospitals and other medical facilities, they are primarily responsible for coordinating with staff to gather patient information, medical histories, diagnoses, and treatment progress. They must also conduct extensive research and analysis, maintain accurate records, update databases, and participate in developing various programs such as screenings and information drives. Furthermore, as a tumor registrar, it is essential to keep an eye for any errors or inconsistencies, performing corrective measures promptly and professionally.

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.

Tumor registrar vs medical biller coder salary

Tumor registrars and medical biller coders have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Tumor Registrar	Medical Biller Coder
Average salary	$57,112	$38,756
Salary range	Between $40,000 And $81,000	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 tumor registrar and medical biller coder education

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

	Tumor Registrar	Medical Biller Coder
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 46%	Associate Degree, 30%
Most common major	Health Care Administration	Health Care Administration
Most common college	Georgetown University	University of Pennsylvania

Tumor registrar vs medical biller coder demographics

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

	Tumor Registrar	Medical Biller Coder
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 12.1% Female, 87.9%	Male, 10.0% Female, 90.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 7.7% White, 61.0% 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 tumor registrar and medical biller coder duties and responsibilities

Tumor registrar example responsibilities.

Use EMR software to manage patient records and files; reinforce and uphold patient confidentiality as required by HIPPA and clinic.
Participate in the cancer program survey by ACoS COC.
Utilize ICD-9-CM, CPT and HCPCS coding systems, and HCC coding.
Train new and inexperience coders on (ICD-9-CM), (CPT) and (HCPCS) code identification.
Experience in CoC accreditation surveys.
Staff onboard training of EHR system.

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.

Tumor registrar vs medical biller coder skills

Common tumor registrar skills

Patients, 25%
Abstracts, 8%
Medical Terminology, 7%
Registrars, 7%
COC, 5%
Seer, 5%

Common medical biller coder skills

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

Tumor Registrar vs. similar jobs

Tumor Registrar related careers

Tumor Registrar related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
Tumor Registrar
Tumor Registrar vs Medical Biller Coder

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs