Patient access associate vs patient access representative

The differences between patient access associates and patient access representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a patient access associate and a patient access representative. Additionally, a patient access associate has an average salary of $35,388, which is higher than the $33,603 average annual salary of a patient access representative.

The top three skills for a patient access associate include patients, customer service and insurance verification. The most important skills for a patient access representative are patients, customer service, and medical terminology.

Patient access associate vs patient access representative overview

	Patient Access Associate	Patient Access Representative
Yearly salary	$35,388	$33,603
Hourly rate	$17.01	$16.16
Growth rate	-4%	-4%
Number of jobs	85,997	151,077
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

What does a patient access associate do?

A patient access associate serves as a patient's primary point of contact in a physician's office or medical facility. Their responsibilities include greeting and checking in patients, gathering patient data, collecting billing information and medical history, and providing assistance in filling-up forms and necessary documents. They may also address and answer patient inquiries, explaining the protocols and other information as needed. Furthermore, as a patient access associate, it is essential to perform administrative tasks such as keeping records and updating databases, all while maintaining an active communication line with nurses and physicians.

What does a patient access representative do?

A Patient Access Representative is the first point of contact of a patient in a hospital facility. Among the duties include the checking-in and out of a patient, gathering a patient's information for the Doctors and Nurses to use, communicates with the patient's family or caregivers, and processes insurance billing. Most of the time, A Patient Access Representative encounters the critically ill or injured which is why one must possess great communication skills and compassion.

Patient access associate vs patient access representative salary

Patient access associates and patient access representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Patient Access Associate	Patient Access Representative
Average salary	$35,388	$33,603
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $51,000	Between $27,000 And $41,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Springfield, MA
Highest paying state	New York	Massachusetts
Best paying company	Raymond James Financial	University of California, Berkeley
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Health Care

Differences between patient access associate and patient access representative education

There are a few differences between a patient access associate and a patient access representative in terms of educational background:

	Patient Access Associate	Patient Access Representative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Patient access associate vs patient access representative demographics

Here are the differences between patient access associates' and patient access representatives' demographics:

	Patient Access Associate	Patient Access Representative
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 13.6% Female, 86.4%	Male, 14.5% Female, 85.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.6% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 21.7% Asian, 6.0% White, 54.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	Black or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 6.5% White, 55.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between patient access associate and patient access representative duties and responsibilities

Patient access associate example 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.
Interview patients and ensure accuracy of all information necessary, including demographic information, insurance verification, and insurance authorizations.
Follow EMTALA, HIPAA, payer and other applicable regulations and standards for registration.

Patient access representative example responsibilities.

Use EMR software to manage patient records and files; reinforce and uphold patient confidentiality as required by HIPPA and clinic.
Conduct intensive screening of all Medicare, Medicaid and manage care patients for provider service eligibility.
Educate eligible applicants about Medicaid manage care and how to access benefits in a manage care environment.
Run internal reports to ensure ICD 9 and CPT procedure codes are accurate for billing for Medicare and Medicaid patients.
Deliver quality customer service and compassion while obtaining demographic and financial data from patients seeking emergency medical services.
Operate front desk check-in, preparation of charts, receive payments and balance books at the end of the day.

Patient access associate vs patient access representative skills

Common patient access associate skills

Patients, 23%
Customer Service, 15%
Insurance Verification, 8%
Medical Terminology, 8%
Patient Care, 5%
Insurance Coverage, 4%

Common patient access representative skills

Patients, 20%
Customer Service, 13%
Medical Terminology, 9%
Patient Care, 5%
Patient Registration, 5%
Insurance Verification, 4%

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Office and Administrative Industry
Patient Access Associate
Patient Access Associate vs Patient Access Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

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