Medical records administrator vs patient liaison

The differences between medical records administrators and patient liaisons can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a medical records administrator, becoming a patient liaison takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a medical records administrator has an average salary of $80,519, which is higher than the $32,314 average annual salary of a patient liaison.

The top three skills for a medical records administrator include patients, medical terminology and HIPAA. The most important skills for a patient liaison are patients, customer service, and medical terminology.

Medical records administrator vs patient liaison overview

	Medical Records Administrator	Patient Liaison
Yearly salary	$80,519	$32,314
Hourly rate	$38.71	$15.54
Growth rate	28%	-4%
Number of jobs	103,325	84,302
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 39%	Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Average age	47	40
Years of experience	6	4

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 liaison do?

Patient Liaisons are intermediaries addressing concerns on behalf of patients and families working in tandem with the hospital administrator. They are responsible for gathering data regarding patient care issues and inquiries, assessing patient well-being, suggesting improvements, and interpreting hospital service, policies, and procedures to patients and families. Patient Liaisons also work to educate health care professionals in humanizing the hospital experience for patients. They work in a hospital, clinic, nursing home, or programs related to public health.

Medical records administrator vs patient liaison salary

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

	Medical Records Administrator	Patient Liaison
Average salary	$80,519	$32,314
Salary range	Between $59,000 And $108,000	Between $24,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	Delaware	Massachusetts
Best paying company	Long Island, FQHC, Inc	Brigham and Women's Hospital
Best paying industry	Health Care	Health Care

Differences between medical records administrator and patient liaison education

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

	Medical Records Administrator	Patient Liaison
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 39%	Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Medical records administrator vs patient liaison demographics

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

	Medical Records Administrator	Patient Liaison
Average age	47	40
Gender ratio	Male, 21.2% Female, 78.8%	Male, 16.2% Female, 83.8%
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, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 6.9% White, 55.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	12%	7%

Differences between medical records administrator and patient liaison 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 liaison example responsibilities.

Provide support for emergencies by managing inappropriate behaviors, aggressive patients, CPR and persons in crisis.
Conduct all insurance verification and obtain authorization to treat sub-acute rehabilitation patients.
Attend Michigan state eligibility hearings, when necessary to assist and gain Medicaid disability benefits for patients.
Interview patients of hospital facility to obtain necessary documentation to secure Medicaid coverage as payment of inpatient hospital charges.
Set up payment plan, verify personal information per HIPAA guidelines.
Respect and maintain HIPPA and patient confidentiality and dignity of patients at all times.

Medical records administrator vs patient liaison skills

Common medical records administrator skills

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

Common patient liaison skills

Patients, 37%
Customer Service, 16%
Medical Terminology, 4%
Health System, 3%
HIPAA, 3%
Surgery, 2%

Medical Records Administrator vs. similar jobs

Medical Records Administrator related careers

Medical Records Administrator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Executive Management Industry
Medical Records Administrator
Medical Records Administrator vs Patient Liaison

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse executive management jobs