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Appointment scheduler vs medical office administrator

The differences between appointment schedulers and medical office administrators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an appointment scheduler and a medical office administrator. Additionally, an appointment scheduler has an average salary of $34,414, which is higher than the $34,252 average annual salary of a medical office administrator.

The top three skills for an appointment scheduler include patients, phone calls and scheduling patient appointments. The most important skills for a medical office administrator are patients, patient care, and customer service.

Appointment scheduler vs medical office administrator overview

Appointment SchedulerMedical Office Administrator
Yearly salary$34,414$34,252
Hourly rate$16.55$16.47
Growth rate-8%-8%
Number of jobs17,639179,503
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 31%Bachelor's Degree, 31%
Average age4949
Years of experience22

What does an appointment scheduler do?

An appointment scheduler works in the health care field in a medical office. Appointment schedulers contact patients with regards to their upcoming appointments. They direct calls to the appropriate staff members, pull medical records, and perform general clerical works. Their job involves educating patients or clients on health products and services. They also resolve the complaints and inquiries of the patients as well as other administrative duties.

What does a medical office administrator do?

A medical office administrator is responsible for performing administrative and clerical duties within a health care institution, supplying physicians and medical professionals with patients' information, and coordinating with insurance companies. Medical office administrators handle the information and data management system to ensure the accuracy of patients' details, medical history, and treatment plans. They also schedule doctor appointments and cancellations, as well as monitoring the inventory of medical supplies. A medical office administrator submits payment reports, respond to patients' inquiries and concerns, and process billing disputes.

Appointment scheduler vs medical office administrator salary

Appointment schedulers and medical office administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Appointment SchedulerMedical Office Administrator
Average salary$34,414$34,252
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $42,000Between $27,000 And $41,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MAAnchorage, AK
Highest paying stateMassachusettsAlaska
Best paying companyUC Santa BarbaraUniversity of California, Berkeley
Best paying industryInternetHealth Care

Differences between appointment scheduler and medical office administrator education

There are a few differences between an appointment scheduler and a medical office administrator in terms of educational background:

Appointment SchedulerMedical Office Administrator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 31%Bachelor's Degree, 31%
Most common majorBusinessHealth Care Administration
Most common college--

Appointment scheduler vs medical office administrator demographics

Here are the differences between appointment schedulers' and medical office administrators' demographics:

Appointment SchedulerMedical Office Administrator
Average age4949
Gender ratioMale, 12.4% Female, 87.6%Male, 9.4% Female, 90.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 3.8% White, 70.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 3.8% White, 70.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between appointment scheduler and medical office administrator duties and responsibilities

Appointment scheduler example responsibilities.

  • Manage patient pre-op responsibilities, and generate all necessary paperwork.
  • Utilize the appropriate screening tools to accurately schedule internally refer patients for MRI appointments.
  • Obtain and enter complete registration demographic and insurance verification information (primary and secondary) into EMR system.
  • Implement a new TCMS and EHR database for the doctor's internal use.
  • Organize & archive electronic documents; scan and link charts and documents into the EHR
  • Used knowledge of key medical terms to determine patient's symptoms and refer to triage nurse when applicable.
  • Show more

Medical office administrator example responsibilities.

  • Re-Evaluat & improve policy manual, develop standards for HIPPA, OSHA, manage care, billing and medical compliance.
  • Facilitate client relationships and manage surgery schedules, financial consultations, follow up care and ongoing maintenance.
  • Used knowledge of medical procedures and customer service, record medical histories and schedule patients for hospitalization and other procedures.
  • Scan new information such as daily progress notes, physical exams, labs and diagnostic testing into EMR.
  • Advise and counsel patient regarding food, fluid, medicine intake and restrictions prior to surgery including drop regime.
  • Organize patient charts and loose reports, as well as paper work from daily operations for scanning into EMR system.
  • Show more

Appointment scheduler vs medical office administrator skills

Common appointment scheduler skills
  • Patients, 33%
  • Phone Calls, 10%
  • Scheduling Patient Appointments, 8%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Outbound Calls, 4%
  • Medical Terminology, 4%
Common medical office administrator skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • Patient Care, 10%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Insurance Verification, 5%
  • Phone Calls, 5%
  • Appointment Scheduling, 4%

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