Patient access associate vs patient registrar

The differences between patient access associates and patient registrars 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 registrar. Additionally, a patient access associate has an average salary of $35,388, which is higher than the $33,494 average annual salary of a patient registrar.

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

Patient access associate vs patient registrar overview

	Patient Access Associate	Patient Registrar
Yearly salary	$35,388	$33,494
Hourly rate	$17.01	$16.10
Growth rate	-4%	-4%
Number of jobs	85,997	86,721
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 32%
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 registrar do?

A patient registrar is responsible for receiving patients in a hospital or other health care institutions, verifying their information, and leading them to the appropriate facility for their health care needs. Patient registrars manage the hospital's database, updating patients' information, confirming insurance details, taking calls, responding to patients' inquiries and concerns, scheduling appointments, and performing related administrative and clerical tasks as needed. A patient registrar must have excellent communication and organizational skills to provide the best quality care services to the patients.

Patient access associate vs patient registrar salary

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

	Patient Access Associate	Patient Registrar
Average salary	$35,388	$33,494
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $51,000	Between $26,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	New York	Massachusetts
Best paying company	Raymond James Financial	Guidehouse
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Health Care

Differences between patient access associate and patient registrar education

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

	Patient Access Associate	Patient Registrar
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Patient access associate vs patient registrar demographics

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

	Patient Access Associate	Patient Registrar
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 13.6% Female, 86.4%	Male, 13.1% Female, 86.9%
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, 11.0% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 23.0% Asian, 6.4% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

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

Process release of information requests according to HIPAA regulations and manage valuables safe for entire facility.
Specialize in high degree of compassion when communicating with patients providing information and insurance details.
Receive patients, record patient demographic information and verify insurance for emergency department, laboratory, and radiology
Register patients and ensure correctness of all demographic information in AS400, verify insurance on various websites and collect patient co-payments.
Update demographics, billing information, Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance during patient interviews to obtain pertinent registration information.
Enter confidential personal health information and financial information into IDX system with a high rate of accuracy and confidentiality.

Patient access associate vs patient registrar 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 registrar skills

Patients, 25%
Customer Service, 11%
Medical Terminology, 11%
Patient Registration, 4%
Patient Care, 4%
Insurance Verification, 3%

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

Updated January 8, 2025

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