Healthcare Medical Records and Health Information Technician
Salary Range Jobs Available
$32,400 - $72,600 24,800+

What Does a Medical Records Technician Do?

Medical records technicians keep track of medical procedures at a doctor’s office and relay that information to insurance companies. It requires attention to detail and focus, but the best medical records technicians do it with ease. 

These in-demand specialists handle patient data, insurance claims and other forms of physician reimbursement. They investigate which medical procedures are covered by a patient’s insurance. They also work with patients to create payment plans for procedures that aren't covered. 

They are sometimes referred to as health information technicians, health information managers, electronic health records technicians or medical records clerks.

Some are specialists, such as medical coders, who go beyond basic coding to ensure patient data is correct, or cancer registrars, who work with cancer patients and pathology.

This career is a good job for someone who wants to work in the medical profession but isn’t sure they have what it takes to work in a medical treatment role. If this sounds like you, read on below about medical records technician requirements, what would make you a good fit for this role and much more.

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A medical records technician helps keep track of patient data
A good medical records technician knows how to bring order to the chaos of patient data. (Credit: Logoboom/Shutterstock)

Responsibilities

  • Review patient medical history
  • Check eligibility and benefits verification
  • Prepare and transmit claims using billing software, including electronic and paper claim processing
  • Organize and maintain data for clinical databases
  • Track patient outcomes for quality assessment
  • Follow up on unpaid claims 
  • Use classification software to assign clinical codes for insurance reimbursement
  • Call insurance companies regarding any discrepancy in payments
  • Maintain confidentiality of patients’ records
  • Set up patient payment plans

How To Become a Medical Records Technician: FAQs

The bottom line:

The need to share and store patient information — and keep it confidential — is only going to grow as the population ages. And as technology changes, so will opportunities in this field. If you’re just starting out or you’re switching careers because your industry has changed, the healthcare industry is a smart place to look for your next role. We know health administration roles are in demand. The question is, do you think this is the career for you?  

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