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Insurance agent vs insurance verification specialist

The differences between insurance agents and insurance verification specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an insurance agent has an average salary of $51,936, which is higher than the $33,043 average annual salary of an insurance verification specialist.

The top three skills for an insurance agent include customer service, insurance sales and health insurance. The most important skills for an insurance verification specialist are patients, insurance verification, and customer service.

Insurance agent vs insurance verification specialist overview

Insurance AgentInsurance Verification Specialist
Yearly salary$51,936$33,043
Hourly rate$24.97$15.89
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs67,97771,688
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Associate Degree, 27%
Average age4646
Years of experience--

What does an insurance agent do?

An insurance agent is responsible for inviting potential clients to the insurance company by offering different insurance services. Insurance agents must have a comprehensive knowledge of insurance types to provide the clients with the best insurance option in the market. The insurance agents should evaluate a client's long-term needs and financial goals to create individual packages as the insurance company allowed. An insurance agent also handles policy renewals and keeps customers' insurance files for reference.

What does an insurance verification specialist do?

An insurance verification specialist is responsible for confirming a patient's insurance details and eligibility to receive medical care services. Insurance verification specialists review the insurance documents of the patients, including its coverage and limitations, and escalate concerns to the supervisor for immediate resolution. They process paperwork accordingly upon coordinating with the patients and attending health professionals. An insurance verification specialist must have excellent communication and organizational skills, finishing administrative tasks efficiently under minimal supervision.

Insurance agent vs insurance verification specialist salary

Insurance agents and insurance verification specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Insurance AgentInsurance Verification Specialist
Average salary$51,936$33,043
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $88,000Between $28,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYMadison, WI
Highest paying stateHawaiiNew Hampshire
Best paying companyZ Capital GroupSt. Luke's Cataract & Laser Institute
Best paying industryFinancePharmaceutical

Differences between insurance agent and insurance verification specialist education

There are a few differences between an insurance agent and an insurance verification specialist in terms of educational background:

Insurance AgentInsurance Verification Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Associate Degree, 27%
Most common majorBusinessHealth Care Administration
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Insurance agent vs insurance verification specialist demographics

Here are the differences between insurance agents' and insurance verification specialists' demographics:

Insurance AgentInsurance Verification Specialist
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 51.6% Female, 48.4%Male, 11.4% Female, 88.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 4.9% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 4.9% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between insurance agent and insurance verification specialist duties and responsibilities

Insurance agent example responsibilities.

  • Used consultative upselling techniques to provide leads
  • Maintain personal and confidential Medicare & Medicaid customer information following all HIPAA.
  • Follow all applicable HIPPA and privacy regulations.
  • Explain medical plans to Medicare / Medicaid eligible clients to ensure best fit.
  • Identify and solicit sales prospects in agency database and in the general marketplace.
  • Develop productive business relationships with key marketplace players by identifying the right products and services.
  • Show more

Insurance verification specialist example responsibilities.

  • Check CPT and ICD-10 codes with LCD and policies from multiple insurance companies to make sure procedures will be paid.
  • Support the patient privacy/confidentiality policies and regulations under HIPAA for patients and their medical records.
  • Confirm correct charges base on HCPCS codes.
  • Assist callers as well with questions about their benefits, terms and conditions of medical plans, appeals and grievances.
  • Provide medical record support in the absence of EMR: assist clinics and hospitals in obtaining medical records in appropriate format.
  • Document outbound communication from providers and veterans.
  • Show more

Insurance agent vs insurance verification specialist skills

Common insurance agent skills
  • Customer Service, 25%
  • Insurance Sales, 8%
  • Health Insurance, 6%
  • Life Insurance Products, 6%
  • Financial Resources, 6%
  • Auto Insurance, 5%
Common insurance verification specialist skills
  • Patients, 25%
  • Insurance Verification, 15%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Insurance Eligibility, 5%
  • Data Entry, 4%
  • Medical Terminology, 4%