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Health information manager vs medical record assistant

The differences between health information managers and medical record assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a health information manager and a medical record assistant. Additionally, a health information manager has an average salary of $63,401, which is higher than the $34,870 average annual salary of a medical record assistant.

The top three skills for a health information manager include patients, transcription and patient care. The most important skills for a medical record assistant are patients, data entry, and HIPAA.

Health information manager vs medical record assistant overview

Health Information ManagerMedical Record Assistant
Yearly salary$63,401$34,870
Hourly rate$30.48$16.76
Growth rate11%11%
Number of jobs121,24791,238
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Average age4545
Years of experience1212

What does a health information manager do?

A Health Information Manager is someone who processes and safeguards patient information records. A health facility needs to secure patient records as it is confidential. A health information manager creates and implements policies in recording and documenting patient records and retrieve them upon request of a physician for a diagnosis. The health information manager also ensures that all patient information acquired by the healthcare facility is stored securely, adhering to all state and federal laws concerning data privacy.

What does a medical record assistant do?

A medical record assistant is responsible for the proper documentation of the patients' information and medical records for reference to the attending physician or other medical professionals. Medical record assistants also track the patient's medical treatments and progress, as well as their health insurance details and coverage. They also respond to the patient's inquiries and concerns, including scheduling physician's appointments and updating the patients for any released medical results. A medical record assistant must have excellent communication and organizational skills, categorizing documents, and retrieving files for medical needs.

Health information manager vs medical record assistant salary

Health information managers and medical record assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Health Information ManagerMedical Record Assistant
Average salary$63,401$34,870
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $103,000Between $28,000 And $43,000
Highest paying CityFarmington, CTNapa, CA
Highest paying stateConnecticutAlaska
Best paying companyHuron Consulting GroupNelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough
Best paying industryHealth CareGovernment

Differences between health information manager and medical record assistant education

There are a few differences between a health information manager and a medical record assistant in terms of educational background:

Health Information ManagerMedical Record Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Most common majorComputer Information SystemsBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Health information manager vs medical record assistant demographics

Here are the differences between health information managers' and medical record assistants' demographics:

Health Information ManagerMedical Record Assistant
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 16.9% Female, 83.1%Male, 17.3% Female, 82.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 8.3% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 8.5% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between health information manager and medical record assistant duties and responsibilities

Health information manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage discharged medical records and confidentiality of records as per HIPAA regulations.
  • Achieve this goal by providing clear policies/justification for initiatives which impact designated FTE's.
  • Maintain integrity of CPT coding, payer contracts and library builds.
  • Compile & generate statistical reports for ROI purposes & physician re-appointments.
  • Ensure correct assignment of ICD-9-CM diagnosis code/s and sequencing of admission diagnosis for billing.
  • Serve as an integral part of the ICD-10 implementation team for the facility (ongoing).
  • Show more

Medical record assistant example responsibilities.

  • Lead special department-wide task force initiative to minimize abuse of Oxycontin prescriptions bill to Medicaid.
  • Manage and organize all paperwork concerning caregivers and patients; organize filing system; ensure operation of electronic filing systems.
  • Work with EHR, provide medical records to patients and specialty centers.
  • Guide department through transition from paper charts to EHR system scan all patient records into database.
  • Scan documents into electronic medical records system and certify HIPAA compliance
  • Implement HIPAA guidelines in keeping patient information secure and confidential.
  • Show more

Health information manager vs medical record assistant skills

Common health information manager skills
  • Patients, 23%
  • Transcription, 10%
  • Patient Care, 7%
  • Rehabilitation, 6%
  • Chart Completion, 5%
  • ICD-10, 4%
Common medical record assistant skills
  • Patients, 37%
  • Data Entry, 8%
  • HIPAA, 6%
  • Patient Care, 4%
  • Vital Signs, 4%
  • Medical Terminology, 3%

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