Patient access associate vs patient care advocate

The differences between patient access associates and patient care 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 care advocate. Additionally, a patient access associate has an average salary of $35,388, which is higher than the $34,043 average annual salary of a patient care advocate.

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

Patient access associate vs patient care advocate overview

	Patient Access Associate	Patient Care Advocate
Yearly salary	$35,388	$34,043
Hourly rate	$17.01	$16.37
Growth rate	-4%	-4%
Number of jobs	85,997	126,400
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 29%
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 care advocate do?

A patient care advocate specializes in providing support to patients, guiding them throughout the healthcare system. Their responsibilities include educating patients on the treatment and care options available, coordinating with physicians and facility administrators, liaising with insurance companies to resolve issues, and referring patients to other services and programs. They may also come with patients during appointments and keep them company on hospital stays. Moreover, a patient care advocate must help patients understand their rights and process insurance claims.

Patient access associate vs patient care advocate salary

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

	Patient Access Associate	Patient Care Advocate
Average salary	$35,388	$34,043
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $51,000	Between $22,000 And $51,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	New York	Hawaii
Best paying company	Raymond James Financial	Huntington Hospital
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Manufacturing

Differences between patient access associate and patient care advocate education

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

	Patient Access Associate	Patient Care Advocate
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 29%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Patient access associate vs patient care advocate demographics

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

	Patient Access Associate	Patient Care Advocate
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 13.6% Female, 86.4%	Male, 22.3% Female, 77.7%
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, 11.9% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 6.8% White, 55.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

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

Communicate with insurance companies on a continuous basis to ensure hospital reimbursement and attain authorization for home and rehabilitation services.
Answer questions relate to pharmacy benefits while maintaining HIPAA confidentiality, productivity standards, and performance guidelines.
Assist patients with bathroom needs - bedside commode, bedpan, urinal, catheter care.
Know how to do lab work such as strep and flu testing, drawing blood, and EKG's.
Assist in all medical needs (CBG's, vitals, bathing, bed changes, EKG's).
Place catheters in patients of all ages and genders.

Patient access associate vs patient care 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 care advocate skills

Patients, 34%
Patient Care, 20%
PCA, 7%
Social Work, 4%
HIPAA, 3%
Vital Signs, 3%

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

Updated January 8, 2025

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