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Medical records analyst vs medical record assistant

The differences between medical records analysts and medical record assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a medical records analyst and a medical record assistant. Additionally, a medical records analyst has an average salary of $73,609, which is higher than the $34,870 average annual salary of a medical record assistant.

The top three skills for a medical records analyst include patients, patient care and medical terminology. The most important skills for a medical record assistant are patients, data entry, and HIPAA.

Medical records analyst vs medical record assistant overview

Medical Records AnalystMedical Record Assistant
Yearly salary$73,609$34,870
Hourly rate$35.39$16.76
Growth rate11%11%
Number of jobs61,14591,238
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Average age4545
Years of experience1212

What does a medical records analyst do?

A medical records analyst oversees healthcare records and data within an organization. Their job duties include creating reports and using records to determine how to better streamline processes. They also need to compile, calculate, audit, verify and organize information. They review the records to ensure they are accurate, interpret billing and payment information, and generate reports to be used by the management for review. The main qualification for this position is a degree in health information management.

What does a medical record assistant do?

A medical record assistant is responsible for the proper documentation of the patients' information and medical records for reference to the attending physician or other medical professionals. Medical record assistants also track the patient's medical treatments and progress, as well as their health insurance details and coverage. They also respond to the patient's inquiries and concerns, including scheduling physician's appointments and updating the patients for any released medical results. A medical record assistant must have excellent communication and organizational skills, categorizing documents, and retrieving files for medical needs.

Medical records analyst vs medical record assistant salary

Medical records analysts and medical record assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical Records AnalystMedical Record Assistant
Average salary$73,609$34,870
Salary rangeBetween $53,000 And $101,000Between $28,000 And $43,000
Highest paying CityManchester, CTNapa, CA
Highest paying stateConnecticutAlaska
Best paying companyMayo ClinicNelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough
Best paying industryFinanceGovernment

Differences between medical records analyst and medical record assistant education

There are a few differences between a medical records analyst and a medical record assistant in terms of educational background:

Medical Records AnalystMedical Record Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Medical records analyst vs medical record assistant demographics

Here are the differences between medical records analysts' and medical record assistants' demographics:

Medical Records AnalystMedical Record Assistant
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 19.8% Female, 80.2%Male, 17.3% Female, 82.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 8.8% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 8.5% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between medical records analyst and medical record assistant duties and responsibilities

Medical records analyst example responsibilities.

  • Implement policies and procedures to achieve optimum DRG reimbursement.
  • Manage and transfer health records as requested following HIPAA regulations and internal procedures.
  • Attend state and local AHIMA, Medicare, CPT-4 and ICD-9 meetings/seminars.
  • Support user on ICU units.
  • Write appeals for claim denials.
  • Head up the ICD-10-CM preparation project.
  • Show more

Medical record assistant example responsibilities.

  • Lead special department-wide task force initiative to minimize abuse of Oxycontin prescriptions bill to Medicaid.
  • Manage and organize all paperwork concerning caregivers and patients; organize filing system; ensure operation of electronic filing systems.
  • Work with EHR, provide medical records to patients and specialty centers.
  • Guide department through transition from paper charts to EHR system scan all patient records into database.
  • Scan documents into electronic medical records system and certify HIPAA compliance
  • Implement HIPAA guidelines in keeping patient information secure and confidential.
  • Show more

Medical records analyst vs medical record assistant skills

Common medical records analyst skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • Medical Terminology, 8%
  • Data Entry, 7%
  • HIPAA, 5%
  • CPT, 4%
Common medical record assistant skills
  • Patients, 37%
  • Data Entry, 8%
  • HIPAA, 6%
  • Patient Care, 4%
  • Vital Signs, 4%
  • Medical Terminology, 3%

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