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What is a patient access representative and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
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A patient access representative is a healthcare professional who serves as the first point of contact for patients seeking treatment. They are responsible for verifying patients' insurance coverage, registering them for appointments, and collecting any necessary information. Patient access representatives must have strong communication skills, as they interact with patients both in person and over the phone. They also need to be detail-oriented and organized.

ScorePatient Access RepresentativeUS Average
Salary
2.6

Avg. Salary $33,603

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
8.3

Growth Rate -4%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
9.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.67%

Asian 6.49%

Black or African American 12.52%

Hispanic or Latino 19.85%

Unknown 5.15%

White 55.32%

Gender

female 85.47%

male 14.53%

Age - 39
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39
Stress Level
8.3

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
7.6

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
6.5

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Patient Access Representative?

Pros

  • Potential for career advancement within the healthcare industry

  • Exposure to different areas of healthcare, including insurance and billing

  • Opportunity to work with a team of healthcare professionals

  • Ability to make a positive impact on patient experience and satisfaction

  • Competitive salaries and benefits packages

Cons

  • High stress due to time-sensitive tasks and patient needs

  • Exposure to difficult and emotional situations

  • Need for constant learning and adaptation to changing policies and procedures

  • Potential for exposure to infectious diseases or hazardous materials

  • Limited opportunities for remote work or flexible scheduling

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Patient Access Representative career paths

Key steps to become a patient access representative

  1. Explore patient access representative education requirements

    Most common patient access representative degrees

    Bachelor's

    35.8 %

    Associate

    26.9 %

    High School Diploma

    16.6 %
  2. Start to develop specific patient access representative skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Patients20.35%
    Customer Service12.99%
    Medical Terminology8.58%
    Patient Care5.36%
    Patient Registration4.63%
  3. Complete relevant patient access representative training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New patient access representatives learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a patient access representative based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real patient access representative resumes.
  4. Research patient access representative duties and responsibilities

    • Use EMR software to manage patient records and files; reinforce and uphold patient confidentiality as required by HIPPA and clinic.
    • Conduct intensive screening of all Medicare, Medicaid and manage care patients for provider service eligibility.
    • Educate eligible applicants about Medicaid manage care and how to access benefits in a manage care environment.
    • Run internal reports to ensure ICD 9 and CPT procedure codes are accurate for billing for Medicare and Medicaid patients.
  5. Prepare your patient access representative resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your patient access representative resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a patient access representative resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Patient Access Representative Resume templates

    Build a professional Patient Access Representative resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Patient Access Representative resume.
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    Patient Access Representative Resume
  6. Apply for patient access representative jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a patient access representative job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Patient Access Representative Job

Jessica Erin

Patient Access Representative

Honestly, the way I became a Patient Access Representative was out of sheer luck and me refusing to accept defeat. I have been neck deep in the fast food and retail industry for work. I never had the opportunity to expand my skills or to broaden options. At one point, I was so deep in depression and constantly feeling stressed and miserable at my current job that I was desperate for a new outlook. I knew I had more to offer than flipping burgers or allowing customers throwing their half eaten food at me so they can get freebies, and even customers complaining I caught them switching price tags. Working in fast food and retail has shaped my customer service for the better, and has helped me gain patience, problem solving abilities, and a keen eye of potential ticking time bombs. I remember picking up my daughter from daycare, and I was standing next to a lady doing the same. I noticed her work badge that she works at the local hospital. I had submitted various amounts of applications between a few different departments: Patient Access, Cafeteria, Housekeeping, Scheduling. A total of 78 applications for the normal 8 - 5 shifts, 5 a.m - 8:30 p.m., 5 p.m. - 8:30 a.m, etc. I was hoping someone would give me a chance to see what I am made of. But nothing. When I noticed her bage, I immediately made conversation. Asked her what she does there, how does she like it? Questions similar to that. And then she asks me, if I work there too, - to which I answered honestly: no. I added that I have applied there but haven't received a word which is ok. This lady asked for my name, she made herself a note. Next thing I know in a few days, I get a call asking to be interviewed through Zoom. This was during covid outbreak so Zoom interviews are quite different for me. I am so used to interviewing in person, always making a great impression. It wasn't too different, thankfully. But the same lady was there with 2 others. I felt I nailed that interview and was constantly hoping they could give me a chance regardless of me not having any knowledge on the job. I think two months go by and I get another interview but with 2 different ladies. I felt I nailed that one as well. Within a week, I was at my orientation. I am writing every single detail down. Making sure I am knowledgeable on everything. As if I was studying for the SATs. I was acting like I was trying my hardest to graduate college again. Always taking notes, always asking questions, always trying to familiarize myself w

Average patient access representative salary

The average Patient Access Representative salary in the United States is $33,603 per year or $16 per hour. Patient access representative salaries range between $27,000 and $41,000 per year.

Average Patient Access Representative Salary
$33,603 Yearly
$16.16 hourly

What Am I Worth?

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How do patient access representatives rate their job?

5/5

Based On 1 Ratings

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Patient Access Representative reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2020
Pros

Caring to the customer issues is what I do like first and the other thing it is a job that show determination level on the duty.


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5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020
Pros

Putting that patient/customet first and directing (directions) that person to their Doctors office and setting or cancelling their appointments, just helping people.

Cons

There's nothing to dislike.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2019
Pros

The challenge, helping people,

Cons

Non caring employer's , standing on my feet all day, working weekends, low pay


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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