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Medical center representative vs patient coordinator

The differences between medical center representatives and patient coordinators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a medical center representative and a patient coordinator. Additionally, a patient coordinator has an average salary of $32,954, which is higher than the $32,415 average annual salary of a medical center representative.

The top three skills for a medical center representative include patients, customer service and patient care. The most important skills for a patient coordinator are patients, customer service, and patient care.

Medical center representative vs patient coordinator overview

Medical Center RepresentativePatient Coordinator
Yearly salary$32,415$32,954
Hourly rate$15.58$15.84
Growth rate-4%-4%
Number of jobs101,90797,878
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age4040
Years of experience44

What does a medical center representative do?

A medical center representative is in charge of providing assistance to patients, ensuring they get to receive prompt and efficient service. Among their responsibilities include answering inquiries, directing patients to offices, and addressing issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. They may also perform clerical tasks such as processing insurance documents, responding to calls and correspondence, and maintaining records. Furthermore, as a medical center representative, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.

What does a patient coordinator do?

A patient coordinator functions as the primary point of contact between health care professionals and patients in a medical facility. They mostly perform administrative tasks such as greeting visitors, answering calls, responding to inquiries, managing schedules, arranging appointments, processing payments, gathering information, and keeping records. Moreover, they assist in filling out forms, escorting patients to different rooms or offices, and setting treatment plans. Most importantly, they discuss and share necessary information with patients and families regarding medications, procedures, and proceeding care according to a physician's assessment.

Medical center representative vs patient coordinator salary

Medical center representatives and patient coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical Center RepresentativePatient Coordinator
Average salary$32,415$32,954
Salary rangeBetween $19,000 And $54,000Between $25,000 And $41,000
Highest paying CityEast Meadow, NYBrockton, MA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsMassachusetts
Best paying companyHonorHealthUniversity of California, Berkeley
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between medical center representative and patient coordinator education

There are a few differences between a medical center representative and a patient coordinator in terms of educational background:

Medical Center RepresentativePatient Coordinator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common majorNursingBusiness
Most common collegeNew York UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Medical center representative vs patient coordinator demographics

Here are the differences between medical center representatives' and patient coordinators' demographics:

Medical Center RepresentativePatient Coordinator
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 33.9% Female, 66.1%Male, 11.2% Female, 88.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.9% White, 55.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 25.4% Asian, 6.2% White, 51.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between medical center representative and patient coordinator duties and responsibilities

Medical center representative example responsibilities.

  • Follow policies and procedures to accomplish responsibilities including following HIPAA regulations.
  • Qualify in the application and use of ICD-9 and CPT codes relative to patient registration.
  • Read claims, CPT and ICD-9 codes to do an explanation of benefits, the company history cards and out-of-pocket expense.
  • Call points are hematology/oncology, infectious disease, renal transplant/urology and nuclear cardiology.
  • Operate within the laws of HIPPA.
  • Help set up protocol for LTM studies in Neuro ICU.
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Patient coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Comply with HIPAA regulations by discreetly and professionally handling all patients private medical information.
  • Gather personal plus insurance information and perform thorough insurance breakdowns for patients.
  • Communicate directly with patients to obtain initial patient information and respond to inquiries.
  • Process and update HIPAA relate paperwork and other require institutional forms as necessary.
  • Obtain all necessary documentation prior to surgery such as proof of identification, copy of insurance and require insurance referrals.
  • Respond in writing to all grievances in accordance with CMS and DNV guidelines.
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Medical center representative vs patient coordinator skills

Common medical center representative skills
  • Patients, 28%
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Patient Care, 11%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Surgery, 7%
  • Acute Care, 4%
Common patient coordinator skills
  • Patients, 30%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Patient Care, 6%
  • Patient Flow, 5%
  • Excellent Organizational, 4%
  • Check-In, 3%

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