Patient access associate vs patient care representative

The differences between patient access associates and patient care 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 care representative. Additionally, a patient access associate has an average salary of $35,388, which is higher than the $33,709 average annual salary of a patient care representative.

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

Patient access associate vs patient care representative overview

	Patient Access Associate	Patient Care Representative
Yearly salary	$35,388	$33,709
Hourly rate	$17.01	$16.21
Growth rate	-4%	-4%
Number of jobs	85,997	133,317
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 39%
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 representative do?

PCRs (Patient Care Representatives) are given responsibilities like updating and verifying patient information after every visit, scheduling and reminding patients about appointments, and informing patients about delays and how long the estimated waiting times will be. They are also responsible for obtaining patients' personal information like their address, contact details, insurance information, and medical and surgical history. They must be able to communicate with patients, family members, and medical staff to give them all the information they need to treat the person looking for medical help.

Patient access associate vs patient care representative salary

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

	Patient Access Associate	Patient Care Representative
Average salary	$35,388	$33,709
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $51,000	Between $27,000 And $41,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	New York	Alaska
Best paying company	Raymond James Financial	Massachusetts General Hospital
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Technology

Differences between patient access associate and patient care representative education

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

	Patient Access Associate	Patient Care Representative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Patient access associate vs patient care representative demographics

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

	Patient Access Associate	Patient Care Representative
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 13.6% Female, 86.4%	Male, 17.1% Female, 82.9%
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, 20.3% Asian, 6.3% White, 55.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

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

Manage cash and co-payments accurately and discharge patients providing them with proper medical notes and information before exiting.
Verify insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, register patients, and code proper ICD-9 and CPT codes on encounters.
Utilize medical terminology, CPT, HCPC and ICD-9 and patient information into new authorizations.
Interview patients to gather information pertinent to their Medicaid application.
Screen, identify, and enter ICD-9 coding from treatment record forms.
Maintain patient confidentiality and follow HIPAA rules.

Patient access associate vs patient care 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 care representative skills

Patients, 25%
Patient Care, 13%
Home Health, 7%
Cash Management, 5%
Phone Calls, 4%
CPT, 3%

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

Updated January 8, 2025

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