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Medical records manager vs medical records administrator

The differences between medical records managers and medical records administrators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a medical records manager, becoming a medical records administrator takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a medical records administrator has an average salary of $80,519, which is higher than the $75,232 average annual salary of a medical records manager.

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

Medical records manager vs medical records administrator overview

Medical Records ManagerMedical Records Administrator
Yearly salary$75,232$80,519
Hourly rate$36.17$38.71
Growth rate11%28%
Number of jobs54,997103,325
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Average age4547
Years of experience126

What does a medical records manager do?

The main job of a medical records manager is to secure and maintain electronic and written data within a medical records department. Medical records managers retrieve patient records for medical personnel and physicians. They supervise the department's employees. It is their responsibility to document a patient's health information, which may include symptoms, histories, and exam results. They ensure that the confidentiality of patients will follow the proper record-keeping practices. Also, they manage electronic health records and computer software.

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.

Medical records manager vs medical records administrator salary

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

Medical Records ManagerMedical Records Administrator
Average salary$75,232$80,519
Salary rangeBetween $50,000 And $111,000Between $59,000 And $108,000
Highest paying CityOakland, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew JerseyDelaware
Best paying companyAmazonLong Island, FQHC, Inc
Best paying industryTechnologyHealth Care

Differences between medical records manager and medical records administrator education

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

Medical Records ManagerMedical Records Administrator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Most common majorHealth Care AdministrationBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Medical records manager vs medical records administrator demographics

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

Medical Records ManagerMedical Records Administrator
Average age4547
Gender ratioMale, 21.1% Female, 78.9%Male, 21.2% Female, 78.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 8.1% White, 60.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%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%
LGBT Percentage9%12%

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

Medical records manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage 2nd/ 3rd and weekend shift supervisors and staff and develop unit (s) QA activities.
  • Achieve this goal by providing clear policies/justification for initiatives which impact designated FTE's.
  • Prepare documents for FOIA requests.
  • Assign ICD-9 and CPT medical codes.
  • Have knowledge of the latest CPT coding.
  • Ensure compliance with medical/legal requirements, JCAHO standards.
  • Show more

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.
  • Show more

Medical records manager vs medical records administrator skills

Common medical records manager skills
  • Patients, 29%
  • HIPAA, 10%
  • Patient Care, 10%
  • EHR, 4%
  • Hippa, 4%
  • Medical Terminology, 4%
Common medical records administrator skills
  • Patients, 28%
  • Medical Terminology, 12%
  • HIPAA, 7%
  • Patient Care, 7%
  • Patient Charts, 7%
  • Transcription, 4%

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