Patient access associate vs scheduling specialist

The differences between patient access associates and scheduling specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a patient access associate, becoming a scheduling specialist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a scheduling specialist has an average salary of $37,269, which is higher than the $35,388 average annual salary of a patient access associate.

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

Patient access associate vs scheduling specialist overview

	Patient Access Associate	Scheduling Specialist
Yearly salary	$35,388	$37,269
Hourly rate	$17.01	$17.92
Growth rate	-4%	-8%
Number of jobs	85,997	73,381
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Average age	40	49
Years of experience	4	2

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 scheduling specialist do?

A scheduling specialist is responsible for managing the department's meeting, conference, and event schedules, as well as negotiating with suppliers and third-party vendors for appointment and program needs. Scheduling specialists may also perform administrative and clerical duties as needed, especially on communicating with clients and informing them of meetings, and responding to their concerns and inquiries. A scheduling specialist must have excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as knowledge of the data processing procedures to maintain the organization's database, updating clients' information, and tracking business transactions.

Patient access associate vs scheduling specialist salary

Patient access associates and scheduling specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Patient Access Associate	Scheduling Specialist
Average salary	$35,388	$37,269
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $51,000	Between $27,000 And $51,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	New York, NY
Highest paying state	New York	New York
Best paying company	Raymond James Financial	Bristol-Myers Squibb
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Transportation

Differences between patient access associate and scheduling specialist education

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

	Patient Access Associate	Scheduling Specialist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	-

Patient access associate vs scheduling specialist demographics

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

	Patient Access Associate	Scheduling Specialist
Average age	40	49
Gender ratio	Male, 13.6% Female, 86.4%	Male, 23.9% Female, 76.1%
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, 9.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 3.8% White, 70.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	7%	9%

Differences between patient access associate and scheduling specialist 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.

Scheduling specialist example responsibilities.

Manage clinic visit schedules, rehabilitation conferences, medical exams, trial appearances, depositions, etc.
Treat all patients with compassion and dignity no matter what their socioeconomic status is.
Job entail becoming familiar with medical insurance carriers, which include Medicaid and Medicare programs.
Schedule patients for radiology procedures, including complicate scheduling for multiple exams in one patient visit.
Register patients into EMR system, ensuring accuracy when updating patient information, demographics and insurance.
Schedule outpatient appointment for radiology patients, verify insurance, obtain authorization from insurance companies for special procedures.

Patient access associate vs scheduling specialist skills

Common patient access associate skills

Patients, 23%
Customer Service, 15%
Insurance Verification, 8%
Medical Terminology, 8%
Patient Care, 5%
Insurance Coverage, 4%

Common scheduling specialist skills

Patients, 25%
Medical Terminology, 8%
Home Health, 7%
Patient Care, 5%
Insurance Verification, 4%
Excellent Interpersonal, 4%

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Office and Administrative Industry
Patient Access Associate
Patient Access Associate vs Scheduling Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

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