Medical records administrator vs patient care manager

The differences between medical records administrators and patient care managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a medical records administrator and a patient care manager. Additionally, a medical records administrator has an average salary of $80,519, which is higher than the $65,369 average annual salary of a patient care manager.

The top three skills for a medical records administrator include patients, medical terminology and HIPAA. The most important skills for a patient care manager are home health, patients, and quality care.

Medical records administrator vs patient care manager overview

	Medical Records Administrator	Patient Care Manager
Yearly salary	$80,519	$65,369
Hourly rate	$38.71	$31.43
Growth rate	28%	28%
Number of jobs	103,325	123,652
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 39%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	6	6

What does a medical records administrator do?

Medical records administrators oversee written and electronic medical records and reports. The duties of a medical records administrator are to maintain patient records, collect admission reports, liaise with other medical staff, compile documentation from different medical records, respond to enquiries and records requests from patients and physicians, and create a database for patient records. They are also tasked with ensuring the records comply with all policies protecting patient privacy and confidentiality.

What does a patient care manager do?

Patient care managers are executives who are in charge of supervising a clinical team. The managers take responsibility for directing patient care within an organization. Also called health care managers, they protect every patient's safety and health in a clinical setting. They interact with the healthcare team members to maintain open communication. It is also part of their duties to supervise the daily operations in the clinical care units. Managing clinical budgets and maintaining quality health services are also their responsibilities.

Medical records administrator vs patient care manager salary

Medical records administrators and patient care managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Medical Records Administrator	Patient Care Manager
Average salary	$80,519	$65,369
Salary range	Between $59,000 And $108,000	Between $36,000 And $117,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Oakland, CA
Highest paying state	Delaware	California
Best paying company	Long Island, FQHC, Inc	Accenture
Best paying industry	Health Care	Health Care

Differences between medical records administrator and patient care manager education

There are a few differences between a medical records administrator and a patient care manager in terms of educational background:

	Medical Records Administrator	Patient Care Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 39%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Most common major	Business	Nursing
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Medical records administrator vs patient care manager demographics

Here are the differences between medical records administrators' and patient care managers' demographics:

	Medical Records Administrator	Patient Care Manager
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 21.2% Female, 78.8%	Male, 17.1% Female, 82.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 6.9% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 7.4% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between medical records administrator and patient care manager duties and responsibilities

Medical records administrator example responsibilities.

Manage medical records in accordance with federal and state HIPAA guidelines, maintaining confidentiality of patient information.
Bill Medicaid and pertinent insurance companies for payment on services.
Respond swiftly to provider questions and ensure claims are processed through MMIS system properly to meet Medicaid eligibility.
Demonstrate knowledge of HIPAA privacy and security regulations by appropriately handling patient information.
Ensure evacuated patients are moved to the appropriate medical treatment facility or warrior transition units.
Interact with patients and associate medical professionals in order to supply and forward correct documentation for clinical visits.

Patient care manager example responsibilities.

Manage complicated cases involving serious injuries, medical evacuations, cruise ship disembarkation, and repatriation of remains with compassion.
Direct oversight of all case management and education relate to chronic disease and primary care management.
Utilize resources such as financial and pharmacy assistance for uninsure patients to receive professional medical care upon discharge.
Prevent unnecessary hospital admissions using keen assessment skills and redirecting to PCP's office when appropriate.
Ensure compliance both with HIPAA and CMS, to include all audits and enrollments via Medicare.
Plant and maintain flower beds such as mulching, fertilizing, watering, mowing, and pruning.

Medical records administrator vs patient care manager skills

Common medical records administrator skills

Patients, 28%
Medical Terminology, 12%
HIPAA, 7%
Patient Care, 7%
Patient Charts, 7%
Transcription, 4%

Common patient care manager skills

Home Health, 15%
Patients, 12%
Quality Care, 8%
Social Work, 7%
Community Resources, 4%
Substance Abuse, 4%

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Medical Records Administrator
Medical Records Administrator vs Patient Care Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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