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What is a patient access associate and how to become one
A patient access associate is an individual who works in healthcare facilities, such as hospitals or clinics, to ensure patients receive the necessary care and treatment. They are responsible for registering patients, verifying insurance coverage, and collecting payments. Additionally, they may schedule appointments, answer phone calls, and provide general information to patients. Strong communication skills, exact attention to detail, and a customer service-oriented mindset are essential for success in this role.
Avg. Salary $35,388
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate -4%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.61%
Asian 6.01%
Black or African American 12.57%
Hispanic or Latino 21.75%
Unknown 4.94%
White 54.13%
Genderfemale 86.40%
male 13.60%
Age - 39American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 39Stress level is high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work life balance is good
6.4 - fair
What are the pros and cons of being a patient access associate?
Pros
Opportunity to help patients and provide high-quality customer service.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with a variety of tasks.
Chance to learn about healthcare operations and regulations.
Access to training and professional development opportunities.
Potential for advancement within the organization.
Cons
Often required to work weekends, holidays, and evenings.
Dealing with insurance companies can be frustrating and time-consuming.
High level of responsibility and accountability for accuracy in patient information and billing.
Potential exposure to illnesses or viruses while working in a healthcare setting.
Can be challenging to balance patient needs with organizational policies and procedures.
Patient access associate career paths
Key steps to become a patient access associate
Explore patient access associate education requirements
Start to develop specific patient access associate skills
Skills Percentages Patients 23.46% Customer Service 15.09% Insurance Verification 7.98% Medical Terminology 7.51% Patient Care 4.80% Complete relevant patient access associate training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New patient access associates learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a patient access associate based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real patient access associate resumes.Research patient access associate duties and responsibilities
- Use EMR software to manage patient records and files; reinforce and uphold patient confidentiality as required by HIPPA and clinic.
- Coordinate scheduling, cross-checking, billing, explaining HIPAA, and care savings programs to patients.
- Register patients for outpatient laboratory and/or radiology services.
- Collect and update demographic and insurance information from emergency room and labor and delivery patients for registration and/or admissions.
Prepare your patient access associate resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your patient access associate resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a patient access associate resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable patient access associate resume templates
Build a professional patient access associate resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your patient access associate resume.
Apply for patient access associate jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a patient access associate job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first patient access associate job
Are you a patient access associate?
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Average patient access associate salary
The average patient access associate salary in the United States is $35,388 per year or $17 per hour. Patient access associate salaries range between $24,000 and $51,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do patient access associates rate their job?
Patient access associate reviews
Putting that patient/customet first and directing (directions) that person to their Doctors office and setting or cancelling their appointments, just helping people.
There's nothing to dislike.
Gaining valued insurance knowledge and expertise.
Limited opportunity for an advanced position supervisor leading to manager.
Have never work in this field but took a course to become a Medical Receptionist years ago. Would love to work in this field.
Updated January 8, 2025
