What does a medical biller do?

Medical billers manage the financial processes that underpin patient care, helping healthcare organisations receive timely and accurate payments. They play an important role in protecting revenue streams by reconciling payments efficiently and reducing administrative errors and can also contribute to maintaining patient trust in a healthcare organisation. On a typical day, they apply their expertise to ensure the seamless financial operation of the practice.

In the UK, medical billers usually work in the private sector. Within the NHS, a comparable role is most commonly called a finance officer or overseas visitor officer and focuses on private patients or overseas visitors who are not eligible for free care.

Medical biller skills and qualifications

Strong candidates for a medical biller position often demonstrate excellent organisational skills, attention to detail, foundational knowledge of medical billing processes and are good communicators. Skills such as analytical thinking, problem-solving, time management and customer service focus can also set top candidates apart.

Other skills that may be required for the job include:

• Proficiency in medical billing software and electronic patient record (EPR) systems
• Knowledge of medical terminology and common billing codes
• Understanding of data protection regulations such as GDPR and the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025
• Ability to process and reconcile patient accounts accurately
• Experience in handling insurance claims and appeals
• Strong numeracy skills for maintaining accuracy and identifying discrepancies

Medical biller experience requirements

The level of experience required for a medical biller often depends on the complexity of the position and the size of the practice or office. Entry-level positions might be suitable for candidates with strong administrative skills or customer service experience in a healthcare setting providing a pathway for those without direct billing experience. More senior roles or high-pressure environments may require candidates with several years of experience in medical billing, insurance claims processing or healthcare administration who can adapt quickly to the organisation’s systems and processes.

Medical biller education and training requirements

There are no formal requirements for becoming a medical biller in the UK, but candidates for this role often study medical administration, billing or related fields. Common qualifications to look out for include diplomas or certifications in medical coding, healthcare administration or business administration. For more advanced positions, training in medical coding or specialised billing software may be beneficial. Many employers also provide in-house training on their specific billing systems and policies, along with regular refresher sessions or workshops to ensure employees stay up to date with industry changes such as new regulations.

Medical biller salary expectations

According to data on Indeed Salaries at the time of writing, the average salary for a medical biller in the UK is £29,977 per year. Salaries can vary depending on factors such as location, the size of the organisation, a candidate’s level of experience and whether they have specialised certifications or training.

Job description samples for similar positions

If this job description is not quite what you’re looking for, here are job descriptions for similar positions:

• Medical records clerk
• Medical secretary
• Administrative assistant

Medical biller job description FAQs

How do I know if I need a medical biller?

Organisations may benefit from hiring a medical biller if they regularly process medical claims and existing administrative staff struggle to keep up with the workload. Signs include noticing frequent errors in claims, delays in reimbursement or staff spending excessive time managing billing instead of patient care or other responsibilities.

How can I make my medical biller job description stand out?

To attract candidates who align with your needs, you can make a medical biller job description stand out by including details about the specific systems or software used within the organisation. Strong job descriptions may also highlight opportunities for professional development and career progression, along with benefits such as flexible working or employee wellness programmes.

What is the difference between medical billing and medical coding?

While the roles are closely related and sometimes performed by the same person, they are distinct functions. Medical coding is the process of translating healthcare services, diagnoses and procedures into universal alphanumeric codes. Medical billing then uses these codes to create insurance claims and invoices, manage payments and follow up on rejected claims. In short, coding is like translating a language, and billing is using that translation to manage the financial process.