What Does a Medical Biller Do?
A medical biller manages the billing insurance and processing payments for clients. They prepare and submit claims for medical procedures and services provided to insurance companies, communicate with patients about outstanding balances, and collect payments for the provider institution. They must have good attention to detail and ensure that patient medical information is accurate and up to date. They must also be able to analyze medical data and use sound judgment when needed. Strong written and verbal communication skills are necessary as they work with patients, clients, collection agencies, and insurance companies.
A medical biller’s daily responsibilities often include things like monitoring accounts, working with patients to develop payment arrangements, and pursuing delinquent accounts. They need an in-depth understanding of billing software, electronic medical records, and medical codes. Medical billers typically work in physician’s offices, hospitals, nursing homes, or other healthcare facilities.
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National Average Salary
Medical biller salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. To explore salary ranges by local market, please visit our sister site zengig.com.
The average U.S. salary for a Medical Biller is:
$39,850
Medical Biller Job Descriptions
Example 1
Seeking an individual with medical billing and EMR billing software experience who strives to deliver the highest of customer service standards. This position is responsible for supporting the Account Management team by posting payments, capturing/working denials, and working outstanding accounts receivable (A/R) balances.
Major duties/responsibilities
- Post all insurance payments, contractual and non-contractual adjustments for assigned carriers by CPT code and transfer outstanding balance to secondary insurance or patient responsibility per EOB protocol
- Conduct audits and coding reviews to ensure all documentation is accurate and precise
- Assign and sequence all codes for services rendered
- Assign codes to diagnoses and procedures, using ICD, and CPT codes
- Search for information on cases where the coding is complex and unusual
- Close payment batches daily, reconciling individual carrier payments and EOB statements
- Initiate processes to follow up on rejected claims as evidenced by EOBs, per EOB protocol
- Transmit all appropriate electronic and paper claims, correct any errors on claims and re-transmit; file secondary claims as necessary
- Discuss outstanding payment amounts with patients regarding balance owed by the insurance company and the patient
- Post all payments, by line-item, received for physician’s professional services into EMR software system including co-payments, insurance payments, and patient payments in accordance with practice protocol with an emphasis on accuracy to ensure maximum patient satisfaction and profitability. All payment batches must be balanced in both their dollar value of payments and adjustments prior to posting
- Review the physician’s coding at charge entry to ensure compliance with Medicare guidelines and to ensure accurate and timely reimbursement
- Provide customer service on the telephone and in the office for all clients and authorized representatives regarding patient accounts in accordance with practice protocol. Patient calls regarding accounts receivable should be returned within 1 business days to ensure maximum patient satisfaction
- Verify all demographic and insurance information in patient registration of the EMR software system at the time of charge entry to ensure accuracy, provide feedback to clients and supervisor to ensure timely reimbursement
- Provide information pertaining to billing, coding, managed care networks, insurance carriers, and reimbursement to physicians, managers and subordinates
- Follow-up on all returned claims, correspondence, denials, account reconciliations and rebills within five working days of receipt to achieve maximum reimbursement in a timely manner with an emphasis on patient satisfaction
- Submit primary and secondary insurance claims electronically each day and on HCFA to ensure timely reimbursement
- Process refunds to insurance companies and patients in accordance with client protocol
- Monitor reimbursement from managed care networks and insurance carriers to ensure reimbursement consistent with contract rates
- Proficiency with all facets of the EMR software system including patient registration, charge entry, insurance processing, advanced collections, reports, and ledger inquiry
- Provide cross coverage for Account Managers in their absence as required to ensure efficient and professional practice operation
- Maintain information regarding coding, insurance carriers, managed care networks and credentialing in an organized easy to reference format
- Maintain an organized, efficient, and professional work environment
- Adhere to all practice policies related to HIPAA and Medicare Compliance
Requirements
- Preferred 4 years experience in a medical office reimbursement department or medical billing service
- Highly Preferred Ophthalmology Experience – and experience in Nextech, Nextgen, or other ophthalmology specific EMR/PM software
- Strong background in Accounts Receivable
- Strong communication skills as you will be speaking with physician’s, patients, insurance representatives, and/or medical billing staff on a weekly basis
- Must maintain HIPAA standards
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while remaining calm and professional
- Strong customer service orientation
- Excellent organizational skills and must be detailed oriented
- Strong computer and typing skills
- Outstanding listening skills
- Positive, friendly, approachable disposition
- Ability to work with multiple priorities
Example 2
Join a great orthopedic office that is patient focused and family oriented! We are looking for an energetic, team player who is detail oriented and reliable. This person must have medical billing and coding experience. We would prefer someone with orthopedic experience. Knowledge about DME billing is a plus.
Essential functions and duties:
- Assign appropriate diagnosis codes using ICD-10
- Assigns appropriate procedure codes using CPT and HCPCS
- Links proper diagnosis code with appropriate CPT code for billing purposes
- Verifies the place of service
- Query physician for when additional information is needed to complete accurate coding tasks
- Processing of clinical professional charges in a timely and accurate manner, reviewing, and processing claims edits for accuracy as well as insurance and coding compliance
- Review submitted claims and work claim rejections
- Perform collection activities, such as working aged accounts/AR reports to ensure timely and proper maximum reimbursement through various methods including insurance company websites, phone calls, etc.
- Accurately posts insurance payments received in the mail or through ERA. Posts appropriate denials and tasks to the appropriate team member
- Maintain working knowledge of changes in medical insurance plans as it pertains to claim billing
- Provides professional, accurate and timely responses to all accounts receivable inquiries over the phone and in person
Qualifications:
- Minimum High School or equivalent
- Certified Biller: CPC or AAPC Certification
- Medical Billing/Coding: 2 years
- Orthopedic experience
Example 3
The ABC Company is currently looking for an individual with Medical/Behavioral Health Insurance billing experience, who is able to handle a high volume of claims. Successful candidates are those who posses the ability to work quickly and independently, with the ability to multitask and enjoy a fast paced environment.
Job functions:
- Perform behavioral health claim billing via electronic submission through a Clearing House
- Reading and interpreting insurance explanation of benefits (EOBs)
- Track claim payments and resolve rejected claim issues by re-submitting claims or contacting appropriate insurance companies when applicable
- Draft effective appeals to insurance companies
- Utilize reports to follow up on unpaid claims in a timely manner
- Maintain working knowledge of state and federal billing guidelines
- Willingness to cross train as needed
- Other billing related tasks as needed
Job requirements:
- 2 or more years experience in medical/Behavioral Health billing
- Experience working with (State) Medicaid/Medicaid MCO’s required
- Knowledge of Inpatient/Outpatient Behavioral health billing a plus
- Strong Computer Skills a plus
- Working knowledge of Insurance Coordination of Benefits
- Experience with prepayment/post payment audits
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook
- Knowledge of CPT billing codes for Behavioral Health
- Problem solving, detail oriented, communication, and organizational skills
- Ability to work independently
How to Hire a Medical Biller
Consider the following when hiring a medical biller:
- Recruiting: Do you have the internal resources and tools to source and recruit for this role successfully?
- Complexity: Do you need a senior professional, or will mid, or even junior-level skills suffice?
- Duration: Is this a one-time project, or an indefinite need?
- Management: Can you effectively direct the work effort?
- Urgency: Are there any deadlines associated with this need?
- Headcount: Do you have the budget and approval for an internal employee, or should you consider alternate options?
Answering these questions will help determine the best course of action for your current hiring need. Fortunately, various great options exist for every scenario, no matter how unique. We recommend the following options when hiring a medical biller:
1. Use 4 Corner Resources (or another professional recruiting firm)
The heavy lifting is done for you when working with a top-tier staffing company like 4 Corner Resources. We source, screen, recruit, and deliver only the most qualified candidate(s), saving you significant time and effort throughout the hiring process while you remain focused on your core business. Understanding your needs and ensuring the right candidate for the position is the key to our success.
This is the best route to take when:
- You need to fill the position quickly
- You want access to a vast talent pool of high-quality, prescreened candidates
- Your position is suited for temporary hiring services, contract staffing, or contract-to-hire recruiting, and you intend to direct the work activity.
- You are hiring an employee as a direct placement but aren’t able to recruit effectively or efficiently with your internal staff.
- You aren’t familiar with current salary rates, market trends, and available skill sets
2. Advertise your opening on a top job board
Your best option may be to advertise your opening on a proven job board. There are many widely used job sites out there that draw visits from qualified candidates. If you have someone internally who can dedicate the time and energy to sort through applications and screen individuals effectively, this can be a great choice.
We recommend using a job board when:
- Your internal recruiting team has the knowledge and experience to assess candidate qualifications
- You are hiring a direct employee and have time to manage the entire recruiting effort
- You have a process for receiving, screening, and tracking all resumes and applications
- You are prepared to respond to all applicants
There are many career sites out there. Here are the two we recommend for an medical biller opening:
LinkedIn is a social network for job seekers, professionals, and businesses. With this popular job site, you can enhance your brand and advertise your open position to a wide audience of motivated, qualified candidates. Job postings on LinkedIn are also extremely streamlined and user-friendly, making it even easier for candidates to apply. Additionally, applicants can use their LinkedIn profile instead of a resume to expedite the process.
CareerBuilder
CareerBuilder has been a trusted source for hiring since 1995. Reach 80+ million unique, diverse U.S. job seekers annually by posting your jobs through their talent acquisition channels. Through CareerBuilder, you can engage candidates and drive them into your sourcing pipeline. We recommend using CareerBuilder for hiring when you have the internal resources and processes to review, screen, and reply to all applicants.
3. Leverage your internal resources
You can utilize your own website, social media, and employees to assist in your search for top candidates.
A company website posting should be the first step in notifying prospective candidates that you are hiring. Social media can also be a powerful tool for spreading the word about your new opening. As far as exposure is concerned, this option can be as good as some job boards when you have a large enough following across various platforms, like LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter.
Current employees are every organization’s greatest asset. Encourage your internal team to promote job openings to their network by offering cash and other incentives.
We recommend these options when:
- Your brand has great name recognition
- You can consistently monitor and respond to candidate activity through your website and social media accounts
- You have a process in place to quickly and broadly communicate job openings and requirements
- You have an effective employee referral program in place
If you aren’t sure which path is best, schedule a discovery call today with our seasoned recruiting professionals. The 4 Corner team is on standby to help you find the best option for your unique hiring need.
Sample Interview Questions
- What are your methods for ensuring that medical claims are coded and submitted correctly and completely?
- What is your experience with medical billing software and electronic claims submission?
- What steps do you take to resolve denied or rejected claims?
- How do I verify a patient’s insurance coverage and eligibility?
- What are your methods for keeping up with the changes in medical billing codes and regulations?
- How have you dealt with billing issues with patients or insurance companies?
- To ensure timely billing and claims submission, how do you manage your workload and prioritize tasks?
- How have you worked collaboratively with other healthcare professionals to resolve a billing issue?
- What steps do you take to ensure accurate and up-to-date billing records and to ensure patient confidentiality and security?