Medical Billing & Coding Job Summary Salaries

MEDICAL BILLING & CODING – JOB SUMMARY – SALARIES

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

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Updated 2010

Summary Report for:43-3021.02 - Billing, Cost, and Rate Clerks

Compile data, compute fees and charges, and prepare invoices for billing purposes. Duties include computing costs and calculating rates for goods, services, and shipment of goods; posting data; and keeping other relevant records. May involve use of computer or typewriter, calculator, and adding and bookkeeping machines.

Sample of reported job titles: Billing Clerk, Accountant, Accounts Payable Clerk, Billing Coordinator, Office Manager, Accounts Receivable Clerk, Administrative Assistant, Accounting Assistant, Billing Specialist, Contract Administrator

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Tasks

Verify accuracy of billing data and revise any errors.
Operate typing, adding, calculating, or billing machines.
Prepare itemized statements, bills, or invoices, recording amounts due for items purchased or services rendered.
Review documents such as purchase orders, sales tickets, charge slips, or hospital records to compute fees and charges due.
Perform bookkeeping work, including posting data and keeping other records concerning costs of goods and services and the shipment of goods.
Keep records of invoices and support documents.
Resolve discrepancies in accounting records.
Type billing documents, shipping labels, credit memorandums, and credit forms, using typewriters or computers.
Contact customers to obtain or relay account information.
Compute credit terms, discounts, shipment charges, and rates for goods and services to complete billing documents.

Tools & Technology

Tools used in this occupation:

Accounting machines — Billing machines; Bookkeeping machines
Calculators or accessories — 10-key calculators; Calculators
Desktop computers
Photocopiers
Scanners

Technology used in this occupation:

Accounting software — Allscripts Professional PM; McKesson Medisoft software; Seasoft software; Thomson Reuters Elite Enterprise
Data base user interface and query software — Database software; Microsoft Access; Practice management software PMS
Office suite software — Microsoft Office software
Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel
Word processing software — Microsoft Word

Knowledge

Clerical — Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Computers and Electronics — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Skills

Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Time Management — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people.

Abilities

Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Work Activities

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Work Context

Face-to-Face Discussions — How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Telephone — How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Contact With Others — How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
Frequency of Decision Making — How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
Freedom to Make Decisions — How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
Spend Time Sitting — How much does this job require sitting?
Structured versus Unstructured Work — To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
Electronic Mail — How often do you use electronic mail in this job?

Job Zone

Title / Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Education / Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related Experience / Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job Training / Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Job Zone Examples / These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include food service managers, electricians, agricultural technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance sales agents.
SVP Range / (6.0 to < 7.0)

Education

Percentage of Respondents / Education Level Required
36 / High school diploma or equivalent
25 / Associate's degree
20 / Some college, no degree

Interests

Interest code: CE

Conventional — Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Enterprising — Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Work Styles

Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.
Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Independence — Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Self Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Concern for Others — Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

Work Values

Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Related Occupations

43-3031.00 / Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks Bright Outlook
43-4131.00 / Loan Interviewers and Clerks
43-4141.00 / New Accounts Clerks
43-6014.00 / Secretaries, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
43-9041.01 / Insurance Claims Clerks
43-9041.02 / Insurance Policy Processing Clerks
43-9061.00 / Office Clerks, General

Wages & Employment Trends

National

Median wages data collected from Billing and Posting Clerks and Machine Operators.
Employment data collected from Billing and Posting Clerks and Machine Operators.
Industry data collected from Billing and Posting Clerks and Machine Operators.

Median wages (2009) / $15.25 hourly, $31,720 annual
Employment (2008) / 529,000 employees
Projected growth (2008-2018) / Faster than average (14% to 19%)
Projected job openings (2008-2018) / 167,600
Top industries (2008) / Health Care and Social Assistance
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

State & National

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State and National Wages

Wage Table

Hourly Wage Chart

Yearly Wage Chart

Location / Pay
Period / 2010
10% / 25% / Median / 75% / 90%
United States / Hourly / $10.70 / $12.82 / $15.47 / $18.45 / $22.24
Yearly / $22,300 / $26,700 / $32,200 / $38,400 / $46,300
New Jersey / Hourly / $12.46 / $14.51 / $16.85 / $19.60 / $22.93
Yearly / $25,900 / $30,200 / $35,000 / $40,800 / $47,700

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Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2009 wage data and 2008-2018 employment projections . "Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2008-2018). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.

Sources of Additional Information

Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.

Billing and posting clerks and machine operators . Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition.

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Summary Report for:31-9092.00 - Medical Assistants

Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

Sample of reported job titles: Medical Assistant, Certifed Medical Assistant (CMA), Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), Doctor's Assistant, Medical Office Assistant, Optometric Assistant, Clinical Assistant, Ophthalmic Technician, Optometric Technician, Outpatient Surgery Assistant

View report: Summary DetailsCustom

Tasks

Record patients' medical history, vital statistics and information such as test results in medical records.
Prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations, keeping the rooms neat and clean.
Interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, weight, and height.
Authorize drug refills and provide prescription information to pharmacies.
Clean and sterilize instruments and dispose of contaminated supplies.
Prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician.
Show patients to examination rooms and prepare them for the physician.
Explain treatment procedures, medications, diets and physicians' instructions to patients.
Help physicians examine and treat patients, handing them instruments and materials or performing such tasks as giving injections or removing sutures.
Collect blood, tissue or other laboratory specimens, log the specimens, and prepare them for testing.

Tools & Technology

Tools used in this occupation:

Hypodermic needles — Intradermal needles; Intramuscular needles; Subcutaneous hypodermic needles
Mercury blood pressure units — Baumanometers; Manual blood pressuring measurement equipment
Nebulizers or accessories — Nebulizers; Pulmonary nebulizers
Ophthalmoscopes or otoscopes or scope sets — Opthalmoscopes; Otoscopes
Spirometers or its accessories or its supplies — Spirometers; Vitalors

Technology used in this occupation:

Accounting software — Billing software; Bookkeeping software
Calendar and scheduling software — Appointment scheduling software
Medical software — Patient management software; Visual electro diagnostic software
Office suite software — Business software applications; Microsoft Office software
Operating system software — Microsoft Windows Vista Business; Microsoft Windows XP Professional

Knowledge

English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Medicine and Dentistry — Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Clerical — Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Psychology — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Public Safety and Security — Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Skills

Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Writing — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people.