Patient access associate vs patient care coordinator

The differences between patient access associates and patient care coordinators 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 coordinator. Additionally, a patient access associate has an average salary of $35,388, which is higher than the $34,884 average annual salary of a patient care coordinator.

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

Patient access associate vs patient care coordinator overview

	Patient Access Associate	Patient Care Coordinator
Yearly salary	$35,388	$34,884
Hourly rate	$17.01	$16.77
Growth rate	-4%	-4%
Number of jobs	85,997	139,431
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
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 coordinator do?

A patient care coordinator or care coordinator is a trained health professional who manages patients' health care, such as the elderly or disabled. Patient care coordinators educate patients about their health conditions and develop a plan to address their personal health care needs. To comply with health care laws and regulations, care coordinators must attend training and courses so that they are updated with the new developments in health care. They are also required to take up licensure examination and should have experience in care coordination or clinical practices.

Patient access associate vs patient care coordinator salary

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

	Patient Access Associate	Patient Care Coordinator
Average salary	$35,388	$34,884
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $51,000	Between $23,000 And $52,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	New York	Washington
Best paying company	Raymond James Financial	Homestead Hospice
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Health Care

Differences between patient access associate and patient care coordinator education

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

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

Patient access associate vs patient care coordinator demographics

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

	Patient Access Associate	Patient Care Coordinator
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 13.6% Female, 86.4%	Male, 11.7% Female, 88.3%
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, 10.8% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 24.0% Asian, 6.3% White, 53.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

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

Communicate with insurance companies on a continuous basis to ensure hospital reimbursement and attain authorization for home and rehabilitation services.
Manage caseload by providing care coordination to individuals with a primary intellectual/developmental disability diagnosis all of whom receive community-base waiver services.
Check in, check out patients, and do EKG's.
Gain knowledge relate to bundle payments for orthopedic patients and the rules and regulations set forth by CMS.
Respond to telephone inquiries, providing quality service to customers, PSR's and insurance representatives inquiring about patient accounts.
Prepare patients prior to MRI exam, obtain safety check lists and assist with the daily operations of the MRI department.

Patient access associate vs patient care coordinator 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 coordinator skills

Patients, 32%
Customer Service, 13%
Home Health, 6%
Data Entry, 3%
Patient Appointments, 3%
Direct Patient Care, 3%

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

Updated January 8, 2025

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