Authorized representative vs customer service representative

The differences between authorized representatives and customer service representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an authorized representative, becoming a customer service representative takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an authorized representative has an average salary of $38,897, which is higher than the $32,260 average annual salary of a customer service representative.

The top three skills for an authorized representative include patients, medical terminology and insurance verification. The most important skills for a customer service representative are cleanliness, POS, and data entry.

Authorized representative vs customer service representative overview

	Authorized Representative	Customer Service Representative
Yearly salary	$38,897	$32,260
Hourly rate	$18.70	$15.51
Growth rate	-4%	-4%
Number of jobs	64,806	209,515
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 39%	High School Diploma, 33%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	12

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 a customer service representative do?

Customer service representatives are the first point of contact of the customers, acting as the frontiers of the company and help in driving customer loyalty and retention by leaving a great impression and resolving all of their concerns. They accommodate customer queries by providing useful and comprehensive information about any products or services. Some would use that as an opportunity to market and promote more sales. The most challenging issues they use to handle are customer complaints and processing of refunds and returns. They also assist in basic troubleshooting or accounts and payment setup with the use of specific guidelines or step by step procedures. At most, they help and solve customer issues on their own, but sometimes they would need support from supervisors or other departments.

Authorized representative vs customer service representative salary

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

	Authorized Representative	Customer Service Representative
Average salary	$38,897	$32,260
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $50,000	Between $25,000 And $41,000
Highest paying City	Elmira, NY	Des Moines, WA
Highest paying state	New York	Washington
Best paying company	Hill International	Oracle
Best paying industry	Insurance	Insurance

Differences between authorized representative and customer service representative education

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

	Authorized Representative	Customer Service Representative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 39%	High School Diploma, 33%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	-

Authorized representative vs customer service representative demographics

Here are the differences between authorized representatives' and customer service representatives' demographics:

	Authorized Representative	Customer Service Representative
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 29.6% Female, 70.4%	Male, 30.5% Female, 69.5%
Race ratio	Black 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, 11.6% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 21.2% Asian, 6.3% White, 55.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between authorized representative and customer service representative 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.

Customer service representative example responsibilities.

Manage and plan escalations; assure HIPPA guidelines are followed for confidentially and privacy.
Maintain cleanliness and safety and assist patients as necessary.
Operate POS system and maintain exceptional and consistent customer service.
Exercise proofreading and basic math skills to maintain quality control over documents process
Work in customer service department entering information into customer relationship management (CRM).
Develop highly empathetic client relationships and earn reputation for exceeding good customer service rep goals.

Authorized representative vs customer service representative skills

Common authorized representative skills

Patients, 24%
Medical Terminology, 11%
Insurance Verification, 7%
CPT, 5%
Insurance Authorizations, 5%
Data Entry, 4%

Common customer service representative skills

Cleanliness, 10%
POS, 7%
Data Entry, 6%
Sales Floor, 6%
Customer Service, 5%
Home Health, 5%

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Authorized Representative
Authorized Representative vs Customer Service Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

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