Dental Billing Jobs
What is a Dental Billing Specialist?
When thinking about the dentist’s office, most people might visualize the dentist and dental assistant working on patients or perhaps a hygienist cleaning teeth. Chances are they don’t picture someone in front of a computer doing dental billing.
A dental billing specialist is a professional responsible for handling the billing and insurance claims process for a dentist’s office. Dental billing specialists must have excellent organizational skills, as well as strong attention to detail. They must work independently, as they will often handle tasks without direct supervision.
The majority of dental billing specialists have either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in business administration, health care management, or a related field. However, some employers may hire candidates with only minimal experience and training in dental billing.
What Do People in Dental Billing Jobs Do?
People who do dental billing are responsible for making sure they accurately document all the information about a patient’s treatment in their chart. The chart includes medical history, reasons for visits, and any other notes provided by the dentist or hygienist during an appointment. It also includes payment scheduling and insurance claims.
In addition to documenting appointments and submitting claims, people who work in dental offices will also post payments from patients after completing treatment. They may need to follow up with the insurance company to ensure that the payment reaches its offices.
A dental billing specialist is responsible for any billing questions from patients, including requesting payments and answering questions about balances. One of the most important parts of working in dental billing is maintaining a good relationship between patients and their dentist’s office.
Where Do People in Dental Billing Jobs Work?
Just like any other office position, people who work in dental billing can expect to find jobs in various locations around the country.
There are positions available in both large and small practices, as well as corporate offices for insurance providers and third-party billing services. No matter where a person lives or what their experience is, there’s most likely a job waiting for them in the dental billing field.
Since many people are looking for ways to make money online or to find part-time jobs, it’s not surprising that some would want to do dental billing from home. Many dental billing companies will hire people remotely. A dental billing specialist can work from the comfort of their home and maintain a good income.
What Degree is Required to Become a Dental Billing Specialist?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question because it depends on the company that employs a dental billing specialist. However, most employers prefer to hire people with at least an associate’s degree in business or medical administration.
If one would like to move up the ladder and become a supervisor or manager, then having a bachelor’s degree may come into play.
Training for this position often involves learning the specific software that a company uses. In addition, there is usually on-the-job training involved so that an employee can become familiar with the company’s policies and procedures.
How Much Money Does a Dental Billing Specialist Earn?
The amount of money that a dental billing specialist earns will vary depending on experience, education, and position within the company. However, Salary.com reports that the median salary for a dental billing specialist is around $45,000 per year.
It’s important to note that this number will vary by state in some cases. For example, someone who works in New Mexico may only make $37,000 per year. A discrepancy like this happens due to the cost of living difference with NYC or California, for example.
There are all kinds of jobs available within the field of dental billing. Opportunities exist at large insurance companies or third-party billers that work on behalf of dentists’ offices in every part of the country. A person could even start their own billing service and work with dentists in their local area.
The best way to find out what’s available is to do an Internet search for “dental billing jobs” or “dental billing career guide.” A search will bring up a variety of resources that can help identify the right position for an individual and get them started on their way to a successful career in dental billing.
Dental Billing Job Requirements
The skills required for working as a dental billing specialist include the following:
- Basic computer skills: Being able to use a computer is a must for anyone looking to work in dental billing. A person will need to be familiar with common software programs used in the industry, such as Microsoft Office and Excel.
- Organizational skills: Dental billing specialists are responsible for handling large amounts of paperwork. They also have to keep track of patient histories and insurance information. This requires excellent organizational skills so that nothing falls through the cracks.
- Customer service skills: A dental billing specialist needs to communicate effectively with both patients and dentists’ offices. They often act as a bridge between the two groups, so it’s important that they can handle any situation that comes up.
- Knowledge of dental terminology: While it may seem like an obvious requirement, a dental billing specialist needs to be familiar with the terminology used in dentistry.
- Familiarity with insurance companies: A dental billing specialist needs to understand how insurance works. They need to know what’s covered by each plan and what isn’t so they can bill a patient or office correctly.
Dental Billing Career Path
There are several different types of jobs available in dental billing, so an interested person must learn about the career path before deciding which one works best for them. It helps to know if they want to work at an insurance company, third-party provider, or even start their own business as a consultant.
The first step on this path is typically working as an entry-level biller. From there, they can move up to a supervisor position. Overall, the dental billing industry should continue to thrive, considering that people of all ages want to protect their teeth at the dentist’s office.
Latest Dental Billing Jobs Listings
| Position | Company | Location | Posted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practice Administrator | Clarity Eye Center PLLC | Round Rock, Texas US | 03/27/2024 |
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| Medical Assistant - Wellington (Full Time, Day shift) | Nicklaus Children's Health System | West Palm Beach, Florida US | 03/27/2024 |
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| Psychiatrist - Clinical Director | State of MN - Department of Human Services | Baxter, Minnesota US | 03/27/2024 |
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| Physician Hospitalist | UnitedHealth Group | Redlands, California US | 03/26/2024 |
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| Rheumatologist | Center for Arthritis and Rheumatic | Chesapeake, Virginia US | 03/26/2024 |
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| Attorneys - Insurance Defense Throughout The State | Luks, Santaniello, Petrillo, Cohen, & Peterfriend | Florida US | 03/25/2024 |
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| LVN, Supervisor | UnitedHealth Group | Glendale, California US | 03/24/2024 |
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| Application Support Analyst (Payer Compliance) | Inovalon (HACE) | Tampa, Florida US | 03/24/2024 |
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| Clinical Manager | Pennsylvania Retina Specialists, PC | Camp Hill, Pennsylvania US | 03/22/2024 |
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| Medical Assistant - Ortho (Full Time, Day shift) | Nicklaus Children's Health System | Miami, Florida US | 03/22/2024 |
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| Executive Director | The Ambulatory Surgery Center at St. Mary | Langhorne, Pennsylvania US | 03/21/2024 |
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| Manager - Coding Audit Education and Quality Assurance | MaineHealth | Maine US | 03/21/2024 |
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