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Authorized representative vs agent

The differences between authorized representatives and agents can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an authorized representative has an average salary of $38,897, which is higher than the $37,864 average annual salary of an agent.

The top three skills for an authorized representative include patients, medical terminology and insurance verification. The most important skills for an agent are insurance products, customer service, and life insurance.

Authorized representative vs agent overview

Authorized RepresentativeAgent
Yearly salary$38,897$37,864
Hourly rate$18.70$18.20
Growth rate-4%6%
Number of jobs64,806184,325
Job satisfaction-2
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Average age4046
Years of experience4-

What does an authorized representative do?

An authorized representative's primary role is to represent an individual or company in different official transactions. They have the authority to communicate, liaise, negotiate, and make decisions according to goals and project requirements. Although most authorized representatives have varying responsibilities depending on their company of employment, it usually includes understanding project needs, liaising with internal and external parties, preparing and processing documents, organizing files, handling calls and correspondence, and monitoring the transactions' progress. Moreover, as an authorized representative, it is essential to be proactive at dealing with issues, resolving them promptly and professionally.

What does an agent do?

Agents are individuals who are employed by their clients to represent them in various dealings. Agents are usually employed by people in the show business industry, such as actors, writers, or directors. They meet people who are interested in dealing with their clients. They listen to the plans and vision for the project and assess if the project fits their clients' interests or public image. In the case of agents whose clients are actors, they send their clients to auditions upon review of the project details. Agents are also responsible for negotiating terms on behalf of their clients, such as salary, royalties, and set benefits, among others. They also inform the project leaders of their clients' demands on set. Agents are expected to be business-savvy and good negotiators.

Authorized representative vs agent salary

Authorized representatives and agents have different pay scales, as shown below.

Authorized RepresentativeAgent
Average salary$38,897$37,864
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $50,000Between $19,000 And $72,000
Highest paying CityElmira, NYNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew York
Best paying companyHill InternationalLatham & Watkins
Best paying industryInsurance-

Differences between authorized representative and agent education

There are a few differences between an authorized representative and an agent in terms of educational background:

Authorized RepresentativeAgent
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Authorized representative vs agent demographics

Here are the differences between authorized representatives' and agents' demographics:

Authorized RepresentativeAgent
Average age4046
Gender ratioMale, 29.6% Female, 70.4%Male, 50.5% Female, 49.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 23.3% Asian, 6.6% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 4.9% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between authorized representative and agent duties and responsibilities

Authorized representative example responsibilities.

  • Coach, evaluate and performance manage MSRs to ensure timely and accurate service to clients.
  • Audit requests to ensure that proper ICD-9 and CPT coding are applied.
  • Research coordinator and referral coordinator, obtain insurance authorization and provide information to insurance carriers or patients regarding patient accounts.
  • Verify (CCS), CHDP, HMO, PPO authorizations.
  • Adhere strictly to HIPAA privacy guidelines.
  • Scan Medicaid coverage in to patient's electronic file.
  • Show more

Agent example responsibilities.

  • Schedule and meet individuals\groups for assign or self-generate leads, assist and enroll eligible individuals in suitable Medicare product.
  • Verify documentation and coding using CPT and ICD-9 correct coding standards.
  • Assist TANF customers with obtaining employment.
  • Direct compliance with all CPT and Medicare guidelines.
  • Train BDC representatives on phone skills and CRM use.
  • Bill appropriate ICD-9 codes to the correct insurance companies.
  • Show more

Authorized representative vs agent skills

Common authorized representative skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • Medical Terminology, 11%
  • Insurance Verification, 7%
  • CPT, 5%
  • Insurance Authorizations, 5%
  • Data Entry, 4%
Common agent skills
  • Insurance Products, 11%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Life Insurance, 8%
  • HR, 6%
  • Inbound Calls, 6%
  • Financial Services, 6%

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