Medical Billing Clerk Job Description Example, Duties, and Responsibilities

This post provides detailed information on the medical billing clerk job description, including the key duties, tasks, and responsibilities they commonly perform.

It also highlights major requirements that you may be expected to meet to be hired for the medical billing clerk role.

What Does a Medical Billing Clerk Do?

Medical billing clerks are responsible for maintaining records of charge for goods and services, as well as managing payment and accounts.

They work at healthcare facilities such as hospitals and clinics where their job description entails compiling amounts receivable and preparing invoices for clients.

Billing clerks at medical facilities monitor account balances to identify outstanding debts or inconsistencies in financial documents.

They prepare and calculate bills receivable by collecting useful information such as discount rates and order amounts.

Their role also involves utilizing computer systems to input and manage customer account information.

Medical billing clerks in performing their duties review information entered into an accounting system to verify it’s accuracy for final bill preparation.

They receive and process cash/credit card payment for goods and services. They also prepare and issue periodic account statements to customers.

These clerks contact insurance companies to obtain information regarding patients’ insurance policies and degree of coverage.

They maintain an up-to-date knowledge of insurance guidelines, medicare, and state medicaid.

They also follow up on outstanding claims within cycle time frame for standard billing.

As part of their work description, medical billing clerks respond to patient or insurance company inquiries concerning assigned accounts.

They setup payment arrangements and work collection accounts for customers.

They also stay abreast with product/service rates in order to ensure up-to-date billing software.

Their duties also usually involve preparing, reviewing, and transmitting electronic/proper claims using billing software.

They handle and address client follow-up inquiries, as well as resolve inconsistencies in billing.

They also ensure proper documentation and storage of all accounting and billing records.

They occasionally send payment reminders to customers and present periodic reports of job activities to upper management.

To be hired as a billing clerk in a medical facility requires a Bachelor’s degree in health information technology, mathematics, or accounting, or in a related field.

The qualities you will need to succeed in this career include customer service, accounting, and data entry skills.

Medical Billing Clerk Job Description Example/Template

The job of a billing clerk at a medical facility involves various functions that ensure records, accounts, and payments for services rendered are well managed.

Below is a job description example that shows typical duties, tasks, and responsibilities commonly carried out by clerks in charge of billing at medical centers:

• Maintain up-to-date records of patient demographic information on data collection systems
• Process billings to patients and third party reimbursement claims such as insurance firms
• Conduct research to respond to patient concerns regarding billing and account information
• Monitor unpaid claims and contact customers by sending them payment reminder as required
• Balance daily batches, prepare, and distribute income and statistics reports
• Perform administrative tasks such as receiving phone calls, replying emails, and using word processors to prepare reports
• Process patient statements, post transactions, and ensure accuracy of inputted data
• Utilize collection agencies and court claims to collect accounts
• Determine if an unpaid claim calls for legal settlement
• Establish payroll deductions in order to secure outstanding balance payments for employee welfare
• Ensure compliance with standard procedures and policies in performing job operations
• Maintain accurate record of medicare bad-debt report by tracking billings
• Protect hospital reputation by maintaining confidentiality of client financial information
• Represent an organization by testifying as an expert witness during a court case.

Requirements – Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge – for Medical Billing Clerk Job

If you are interested in working as a billing clerk in a medical institution, the following are common requirements you will be expected to meet by most recruiters:

• Education and Training: To become a medical billing clerk, you require minimum of high school diploma although most employers prefer college graduates with Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, or mathematics, or in a similar discipline. Experience in an accounting or health service industry on the other hand provides a competitive edge for the medical billing job
• Customer Service Skills: Medical billing clerks are adept at courteously interacting with patients to setup medical claims and payment plan
• Accounting Skills: They are well versed in using accounting and bookkeeping techniques to process and track billings
• Data Entry Skills: They are proficient in inputting information into accounting systems to prepare bills for customers.

Conclusion

The sample medical billing clerk job description shown in this post can serve as a template if you need to make a work description for the role for your business.

You will be able to create a good job description that can attract the best candidates for the position if you are hiring for the position.

Also, this post will increase your knowledge of what medical billing clerks do if you are interested in the job, which puts you in a better position to succeed in the career.