Patient registrar vs registration representative

The differences between patient registrars and registration 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 registrar and a registration representative. Additionally, a registration representative has an average salary of $34,021, which is higher than the $33,494 average annual salary of a patient registrar.

The top three skills for a patient registrar include patients, customer service and medical terminology. The most important skills for a registration representative are patients, medical terminology, and patient care.

Patient registrar vs registration representative overview

	Patient Registrar	Registration Representative
Yearly salary	$33,494	$34,021
Hourly rate	$16.10	$16.36
Growth rate	-4%	-4%
Number of jobs	86,721	118,803
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 32%	Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

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.

What does a registration representative do?

In medical facilities, a registration representative serves as the patients' first point of contact in clinics and hospitals. They primarily greet patients, identify their needs, gather personal and medical information, and assist them in filling out forms. They must also handle admission and discharge procedures, process payments, arrange payment plans, and collect insurance information. Furthermore, as a registered representative, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.

Patient registrar vs registration representative salary

Patient registrars and registration representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Patient Registrar	Registration Representative
Average salary	$33,494	$34,021
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $42,000	Between $26,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	Massachusetts
Best paying company	Guidehouse	UMass Memorial Health
Best paying industry	Health Care	Health Care

Differences between patient registrar and registration representative education

There are a few differences between a patient registrar and a registration representative in terms of educational background:

	Patient Registrar	Registration Representative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 32%	Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Patient registrar vs registration representative demographics

Here are the differences between patient registrars' and registration representatives' demographics:

	Patient Registrar	Registration Representative
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 13.1% Female, 86.9%	Male, 13.9% Female, 86.1%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 21.3% Asian, 6.4% White, 55.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between patient registrar and registration representative duties and responsibilities

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.

Registration representative example responsibilities.

Work with third party payer requirements including Medicare, Medicaid (AHCCCS), manage care plans, and commercial plans.
Manage and update demographic and insurance information, including authorizations and referrals, while demonstrating HIPPA confidentiality regulations.
Verify eligibility and insurance benefits for patients, including Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance and workers' compensation.
Maintain patient privacy in accordance with HIPAA with a high level of professionalism, compassion, productivity, and accuracy.
Maintain proficient level of knowledge regarding Medicare requirements, HIPAA compliance and reimbursement criteria.
Complete registration process for inpatients, outpatients, and emergency patients accurately and efficiently in accordance with policies and procedures.

Patient registrar vs registration representative skills

Common patient registrar skills

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

Common registration representative skills

Patients, 25%
Medical Terminology, 10%
Patient Care, 6%
Customer Service, 6%
Health Insurance, 5%
Patient Registration, 4%

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Office and Administrative Industry
Patient Registrar
Patient Registrar vs Registration Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

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