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Medical records technician vs release of information specialist

The differences between medical records technicians 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 technician and a release of information specialist. Additionally, a release of information specialist has an average salary of $45,891, which is higher than the $37,087 average annual salary of a medical records technician.

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

Medical records technician vs release of information specialist overview

Medical Records TechnicianRelease Of Information Specialist
Yearly salary$37,087$45,891
Hourly rate$17.83$22.06
Growth rate11%11%
Number of jobs67,66068,103
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 34%Associate Degree, 36%
Average age4545
Years of experience1212

What does a medical records technician do?

A medical records technician is responsible for performing administrative duties, handling patients' medical records for medical purposes. Medical records technicians keep an organized database of patients' information, including medical history, diagnosis, healthcare treatments, laboratory schedules, and insurance details using specific healthcare coding procedures. Medical records technicians must be detail-oriented and highly organizational, especially on maintaining the accuracy and confidentiality of patients' information. This job is critical in the healthcare industry for the doctors' reference and determining treatment costs.

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 technician vs release of information specialist salary

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

Medical Records TechnicianRelease Of Information Specialist
Average salary$37,087$45,891
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $48,000Between $23,000 And $91,000
Highest paying CityLong Branch, NJNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew JerseyConnecticut
Best paying companyGuidehouseAstraZeneca
Best paying industryGovernmentInsurance

Differences between medical records technician and release of information specialist education

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

Medical Records TechnicianRelease Of Information Specialist
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 34%Associate Degree, 36%
Most common majorHealth Care AdministrationHealth Care Administration
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Southern California

Medical records technician vs release of information specialist demographics

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

Medical Records TechnicianRelease Of Information Specialist
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 18.8% Female, 81.2%Male, 14.4% Female, 85.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 8.7% White, 59.3% 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 technician and release of information specialist duties and responsibilities

Medical records technician example responsibilities.

  • Enter all patient in-take into EMR, manage triage, scheduling, and maintain a sterile clinic setting.
  • Manage medical treatment authorizations and durable medical equipment (DME) requests and verify medical eligibility for all patients requesting treatment.
  • Perform examinations in the ER, main radiology area and surgery.
  • Order medical records for patients, medical staff, outside entities, and court subpoenas for certain dates of services.
  • Audited/Validate daily outpatient medical coding accounts involving emergency rooms, surgery, interventional radiology, radiology, and ancillary services.
  • Staff education on EMR and industry regulations.
  • 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 technician vs release of information specialist skills

Common medical records technician skills
  • Patients, 20%
  • Medical Terminology, 11%
  • HIPAA, 6%
  • Patient Care, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Medical Facilities, 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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