Patient relations manager vs prior authorization specialist

The differences between patient relations managers and prior authorization specialists 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 relations manager and a prior authorization specialist. Additionally, a patient relations manager has an average salary of $43,633, which is higher than the $36,120 average annual salary of a prior authorization specialist.

The top three skills for a patient relations manager include patients, schedule appointments and patient care. The most important skills for a prior authorization specialist are patients, customer service, and medical necessity.

Patient relations manager vs prior authorization specialist overview

	Patient Relations Manager	Prior Authorization Specialist
Yearly salary	$43,633	$36,120
Hourly rate	$20.98	$17.37
Growth rate	-4%	-4%
Number of jobs	77,096	69,667
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

What does a patient relations manager do?

Patient Relations Managers serve as the front desk personnel of offices or organizations. They handle the comments, questions, and any concerns associated with patients. It is their responsibility to manage patient relations as well as their complaint activity. Also, they ensure timely and thorough resolution of patient's concerns, complaints, and other issues.

What does a prior authorization specialist do?

Prior Authorization Specialists are individuals responsible for the entire process of prior authorization for a client. They manage communication between stakeholders of clients, healthcare providers, and insurance companies to request for prior authorizations. Their duties include ensuring complete and updated patient and claim documentation, performing daily billings, auditing accounts for accurate submissions claim, and making sure patient treatment reimbursements are processed effectively. Prior Authorization Specialists also review outstanding accounts and handle reimbursement or billing issues to ensure clean billing claims.

Patient relations manager vs prior authorization specialist salary

Patient relations managers and prior authorization specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Patient Relations Manager	Prior Authorization Specialist
Average salary	$43,633	$36,120
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $68,000	Between $27,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	-	Framingham, MA
Highest paying state	-	Massachusetts
Best paying company	-	Washington State University
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between patient relations manager and prior authorization specialist education

There are a few differences between a patient relations manager and a prior authorization specialist in terms of educational background:

	Patient Relations Manager	Prior Authorization Specialist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Most common major	Business	Nursing
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Southern California

Patient relations manager vs prior authorization specialist demographics

Here are the differences between patient relations managers' and prior authorization specialists' demographics:

	Patient Relations Manager	Prior Authorization Specialist
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 20.8% Female, 79.2%	Male, 18.4% Female, 81.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 22.3% Asian, 5.3% White, 55.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 23.0% Asian, 6.9% White, 54.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between patient relations manager and prior authorization specialist duties and responsibilities

Patient relations manager example responsibilities.

Manage PSR staff and perform all PSR functions including registration, check-out, medical records, order entry and procedure scheduling.
Lead interdisciplinary teams working on quality improvement initiatives and prepare for a JCAHO survey.
Provide excellent customer service in a medical institution and ensure all patients are well attend.
Oversee electronic medical records system and HIPPA compliance.
Maintain CMS and regulatory compliance with the grievance process.
Scan and file medical records in accordance with HIPAA protocols.

Prior authorization specialist example responsibilities.

Utilize CMS and InterQual criteria to establish authorizations for members requiring medical services for a Medicare advantage insurance company.
Manage quality communication, patient support and service representation with patients and providers to establish equipment/procedures statuses and expedite orders.
Work with staff to ensure proper CPT codes are submit on authorization request.
Demonstrate compassion while obtaining patient demographics and personal health information.
Register patients into the emergency department or outpatients for surgery or procedures.
Register patients' demographics and insurance information; execute daily outpatient and surgery reports.

Patient relations manager vs prior authorization specialist skills

Common patient relations manager skills

Patients, 39%
Schedule Appointments, 14%
Patient Care, 11%
Patient Relations, 9%
Service Recovery, 2%
Patient Rights, 2%

Common prior authorization specialist skills

Patients, 18%
Customer Service, 8%
Medical Necessity, 8%
Medical Terminology, 6%
Clinical Resource, 6%
Authorization Process, 4%

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Patient Relations Manager
Patient Relations Manager vs Prior Authorization Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

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