Medical receptionist vs patient coordinator

The differences between medical receptionists and patient coordinators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a medical receptionist, becoming a patient coordinator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a patient coordinator has an average salary of $32,954, which is higher than the $31,960 average annual salary of a medical receptionist.

The top three skills for a medical receptionist include patients, customer service and check-in. The most important skills for a patient coordinator are patients, customer service, and patient care.

Medical receptionist vs patient coordinator overview

	Medical Receptionist	Patient Coordinator
Yearly salary	$31,960	$32,954
Hourly rate	$15.37	$15.84
Growth rate	-8%	-4%
Number of jobs	118,048	97,878
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 28%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age	49	40
Years of experience	2	4

What does a medical receptionist do?

Medical receptionists are responsible for manning the front desk at a medical facility such as a clinic or a hospital. They manage schedules and appointments in the clinic or hospital. They help patients to their respective appointments. They also assist doctors, nurses, and other medical practitioners by ensuring that the schedule for the day is being followed. They are also in charge of assisting visitors by directing them wherever they would need to go. Medical receptionists also answer inquiries by patients or visitors. Medical knowledge, great customer service skills, and a friendly attitude are needed.

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 receptionist vs patient coordinator salary

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

	Medical Receptionist	Patient Coordinator
Average salary	$31,960	$32,954
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $38,000	Between $25,000 And $41,000
Highest paying City	Portland, ME	Brockton, MA
Highest paying state	Maine	Massachusetts
Best paying company	CENTER FOR SIGHT	University of California, Berkeley
Best paying industry	Health Care	Health Care

Differences between medical receptionist and patient coordinator education

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

	Medical Receptionist	Patient Coordinator
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 28%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common major	Health Care Administration	Business
Most common college	-	University of Pennsylvania

Medical receptionist vs patient coordinator demographics

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

	Medical Receptionist	Patient Coordinator
Average age	49	40
Gender ratio	Male, 5.2% Female, 94.8%	Male, 11.2% Female, 88.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 3.8% White, 70.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	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 Percentage	9%	7%

Differences between medical receptionist and patient coordinator duties and responsibilities

Medical receptionist example responsibilities.

Conduct analysis to address long wait times which lead to faster triage, shorter wait times.
Evaluate all EOB's to insure accurate payment is received and when necessary will file appeals to achieve optimal payments.
Greet and check-in patients, including obtaining accurate patient demographic information, patient registration, and checking insurance eligibility.
Learned and operate chiropractic equipment (decompression; Leander) & x-rays; enabling Dr to have more time for patients.
Resolve concerns of terminally ill patients with compassion and professionalism.
Identify patients' specific scheduling requirements while demonstrating care and compassion via telephone.

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.

Medical receptionist vs patient coordinator skills

Common medical receptionist skills

Patients, 30%
Customer Service, 9%
Check-In, 6%
Medical Terminology, 6%
Patient Care, 4%
Front Desk, 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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Medical Receptionist
Medical Receptionist vs Patient Coordinator

Updated January 8, 2025

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