Patient access associate vs patient advocate

The differences between patient access associates and patient advocates 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 advocate. Additionally, a patient advocate has an average salary of $36,325, which is higher than the $35,388 average annual salary of a patient access associate.

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

Patient access associate vs patient advocate overview

	Patient Access Associate	Patient Advocate
Yearly salary	$35,388	$36,325
Hourly rate	$17.01	$17.46
Growth rate	-4%	-4%
Number of jobs	85,997	88,778
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 50%
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 advocate do?

A patient advocate is responsible for supporting the patients with the medical processes in a healthcare institution, assisting them with insurance claims and medical billing disputes, verifying treatment procedures, and conducting referrals to medical professionals based on the patient's needs. Patient advocates facilitate a payment plan for the patients, discussing this plan to the financial department of the facility. They also address the patients' inquiries and concerns, as well as their complaints with hospital operations, immediately raising these issues to higher management.

Patient access associate vs patient advocate salary

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

	Patient Access Associate	Patient Advocate
Average salary	$35,388	$36,325
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $51,000	Between $29,000 And $45,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Springfield, MA
Highest paying state	New York	Massachusetts
Best paying company	Raymond James Financial	Cognizant
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Health Care

Differences between patient access associate and patient advocate education

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

	Patient Access Associate	Patient Advocate
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Patient access associate vs patient advocate demographics

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

	Patient Access Associate	Patient Advocate
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 13.6% Female, 86.4%	Male, 17.5% Female, 82.5%
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, 10.5% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 23.6% Asian, 6.8% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between patient access associate and patient advocate 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 advocate example responsibilities.

Manage the complaint process as required by CMS for the hospital.
Provide support for emergencies by managing inappropriate behaviors, aggressive patients, CPR and persons in crisis.
Train to welcome and register patients at ESI triage window.
Document patients medical problems using ICD 9 and CPT coding for patients diagnosis.
Pull any incoming referrals, triage them, and schedule patients with the appropriate doctor.
Collect and review patient information to determine patients' eligibility for Medicaid and charity program assistance.

Patient access associate vs patient advocate 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 advocate skills

Patients, 28%
Customer Service, 11%
Patient Care, 5%
Medicaid, 4%
Financial Assistance, 4%
Patient Accounts, 4%

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

Updated January 8, 2025

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