What does a Medical Billing Clerk do?
Published 4 min read
A medical billing clerk is responsible for submitting insurance claims on behalf of patients, as well as following up with insurance companies to ensure that claims are processed in a timely manner. They also keep track of patient payments and maintain financial records.
Medical Billing Clerk job duties include:
- Reviewing and coding patient records
- Entering data into a computer system
- Generating invoices
- Sending out bills to patients
- Collecting payments
- Answering customer questions
- Resolving billing disputes
- Filing insurance claims
- Processing refunds
Medical Billing Clerk Job Requirements
A medical billing clerk is responsible for submitting insurance claims on behalf of a healthcare provider. In order to be a medical billing clerk, one must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Although not required, many employers prefer candidates who have completed a postsecondary certificate or associate’s degree program in medical billing and coding. Prior experience working in a medical office setting is also helpful. Most medical billing clerks are certified through the American Medical Billing Association (AMBA).
Medical Billing Clerk Skills
- Strong communication skills
- Excellent organizational skills
- Ability to multitask and prioritize
- Strong attention to detail
- Ability to work independently
- Strong customer service skills
- Basic math skills
- Computer literacy
- Typing speed and accuracy
- Data entry skills
- 10-key by touch
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How to become a Medical Billing Clerk
There are many reasons why someone might want to become a medical billing clerk. Perhaps they are interested in the medical field and want to work in a hospital or doctor’s office, but don’t have the education or training to be a nurse or doctor. Or maybe they are good with numbers and detail-oriented work, and see medical billing as a stable career with good job prospects. Whatever the reason, if you want to become a medical billing clerk, there are a few things you need to do.
First, you will need to obtain a high school diploma or equivalent. While you do not need to have completed any specific courses to become a medical billing clerk, it is important that you have a basic foundation in math and English. Many medical billing clerks also have some experience working with computers, as much of the work is done using computer software. If you do not have any experience with computers, it is not necessarily a deal-breaker, but it would be helpful if you took some time to learn the basics before starting your new career.
Once you have your high school diploma or equivalent, the next step is to find a job in the medical billing field. This can be done by searching online job boards, contacting local hospitals or doctor’s offices directly, or even networking with people you know who work in the medical field. Once you have found a few potential positions, it is important to research each one carefully before applying. Make sure that the position is a good fit for your skills and interests, and that it is with a reputable company.
Once you have been hired for a position as a medical billing clerk, there will likely be some on-the-job training involved. Even if you have previous experience with computer software or other aspects of the job, it is important to pay attention during training and ask questions if anything is unclear. Once you have completed your training and are comfortable with your duties, it is important to stay current on changes in the medical billing field. This can be done by reading industry publications, taking continuing education courses, or attending conferences or seminars.
By following these steps, you can become a successful medical billing clerk. With hard work and dedication, you can build a stable career in this growing field.
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