Patient access associate vs patient liaison

The differences between patient access associates and patient liaisons 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 liaison. Additionally, a patient access associate has an average salary of $35,388, which is higher than the $32,314 average annual salary of a patient liaison.

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

Patient access associate vs patient liaison overview

	Patient Access Associate	Patient Liaison
Yearly salary	$35,388	$32,314
Hourly rate	$17.01	$15.54
Growth rate	-4%	-4%
Number of jobs	85,997	84,302
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 51%
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 liaison do?

Patient Liaisons are intermediaries addressing concerns on behalf of patients and families working in tandem with the hospital administrator. They are responsible for gathering data regarding patient care issues and inquiries, assessing patient well-being, suggesting improvements, and interpreting hospital service, policies, and procedures to patients and families. Patient Liaisons also work to educate health care professionals in humanizing the hospital experience for patients. They work in a hospital, clinic, nursing home, or programs related to public health.

Patient access associate vs patient liaison salary

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

	Patient Access Associate	Patient Liaison
Average salary	$35,388	$32,314
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $51,000	Between $24,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	New York	Massachusetts
Best paying company	Raymond James Financial	Brigham and Women's Hospital
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Health Care

Differences between patient access associate and patient liaison education

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

	Patient Access Associate	Patient Liaison
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Patient access associate vs patient liaison demographics

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

	Patient Access Associate	Patient Liaison
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 13.6% Female, 86.4%	Male, 16.2% Female, 83.8%
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, 11.5% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 6.9% White, 55.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

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

Provide support for emergencies by managing inappropriate behaviors, aggressive patients, CPR and persons in crisis.
Conduct all insurance verification and obtain authorization to treat sub-acute rehabilitation patients.
Attend Michigan state eligibility hearings, when necessary to assist and gain Medicaid disability benefits for patients.
Interview patients of hospital facility to obtain necessary documentation to secure Medicaid coverage as payment of inpatient hospital charges.
Set up payment plan, verify personal information per HIPAA guidelines.
Respect and maintain HIPPA and patient confidentiality and dignity of patients at all times.

Patient access associate vs patient liaison 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 liaison skills

Patients, 37%
Customer Service, 16%
Medical Terminology, 4%
Health System, 3%
HIPAA, 3%
Surgery, 2%

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

Updated January 8, 2025

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