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Medical records analyst vs release of information specialist

The differences between medical records analysts and releases of information specialist 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 release of information specialist. Additionally, a medical records analyst has an average salary of $73,609, which is higher than the $45,891 average annual salary of a release of information specialist.

The top three skills for a medical records analyst include patients, patient care and medical terminology. The most important skills for a release of information specialist are patients, HIPAA, and customer service.

Medical records analyst vs release of information specialist overview

Medical Records AnalystRelease Of Information Specialist
Yearly salary$73,609$45,891
Hourly rate$35.39$22.06
Growth rate11%11%
Number of jobs61,14568,103
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Associate Degree, 36%
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 release of information specialist do?

A release of information specialist is primarily in charge of retrieving and releasing data to qualified recipients while adhering to the guidelines and confidentiality protocols that aim to protect sensitive information. Although the extent of their responsibilities usually depends on their industry or company of employment, it usually includes maintaining records of procedures and transactions, preparing and processing documents, organizing files, producing progress reports to managers, and keeping an eye out for any inconsistencies, resolving them promptly and efficiently.

Medical records analyst vs release of information specialist salary

Medical records analysts and releases of information specialist have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical Records AnalystRelease Of Information Specialist
Average salary$73,609$45,891
Salary rangeBetween $53,000 And $101,000Between $23,000 And $91,000
Highest paying CityManchester, CTNew York, NY
Highest paying stateConnecticutConnecticut
Best paying companyMayo ClinicAstraZeneca
Best paying industryFinanceInsurance

Differences between medical records analyst and release of information specialist education

There are a few differences between a medical records analyst and a release of information specialist in terms of educational background:

Medical Records AnalystRelease Of Information Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Associate Degree, 36%
Most common majorBusinessHealth Care Administration
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Southern California

Medical records analyst vs release of information specialist demographics

Here are the differences between medical records analysts' and releases of information specialist' demographics:

Medical Records AnalystRelease Of Information Specialist
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 19.8% Female, 80.2%Male, 14.4% Female, 85.6%
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, 10.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 8.4% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between medical records analyst and release of information specialist 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

Release of information specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage and track various holds on inventory: ship on quarantine; FDA hold; and quality hold.
  • Apply insurance knowledge to interpret EOB, all manage contracts and fee schedules for physician services and hospital services.
  • Generate reports for managing compliance with Medicaid documentation in support of electronic billing to MCO
  • Deliver customer service to patients and their families regarding access to their medical history information.
  • Assist clients with choosing a Medicaid HMO.
  • Handle Meditech requests then enter information into Esmartlog.
  • Show more

Medical records analyst vs release of information specialist skills

Common medical records analyst skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • Medical Terminology, 8%
  • Data Entry, 7%
  • HIPAA, 5%
  • CPT, 4%
Common release of information specialist skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • HIPAA, 16%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Medical Terminology, 5%
  • ROI, 5%
  • Hippa, 5%

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