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Patient service representative vs patient coordinator

The differences between patient service representatives and patient coordinators 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 service representative and a patient coordinator. Additionally, a patient coordinator has an average salary of $32,954, which is higher than the $32,476 average annual salary of a patient service representative.

The top three skills for a patient service representative include patients, customer service and excellent interpersonal. The most important skills for a patient coordinator are patients, customer service, and patient care.

Patient service representative vs patient coordinator overview

Patient Service RepresentativePatient Coordinator
Yearly salary$32,476$32,954
Hourly rate$15.61$15.84
Growth rate-4%-4%
Number of jobs165,92097,878
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 32%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age4040
Years of experience44

What does a patient service representative do?

A Patient Service Representative is responsible for coordinating with patients, ensuring accuracy and satisfaction at all times. The duties of a Patient Service Representative revolves around greeting and responding to patients, offering assistance in documentation, gathering and maintaining their personal information, and even communicating with the family or guardian. They also have to collect payments and process insurance details, obtain medical history, and even keep the patients updated in various aspects. Aside from this, it is crucial for a Representative coordinate with supervisors or personnel in-charge at all times.

What does a patient coordinator do?

A patient coordinator functions as the primary point of contact between health care professionals and patients in a medical facility. They mostly perform administrative tasks such as greeting visitors, answering calls, responding to inquiries, managing schedules, arranging appointments, processing payments, gathering information, and keeping records. Moreover, they assist in filling out forms, escorting patients to different rooms or offices, and setting treatment plans. Most importantly, they discuss and share necessary information with patients and families regarding medications, procedures, and proceeding care according to a physician's assessment.

Patient service representative vs patient coordinator salary

Patient service representatives and patient coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Patient Service RepresentativePatient Coordinator
Average salary$32,476$32,954
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $38,000Between $25,000 And $41,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WABrockton, MA
Highest paying stateVermontMassachusetts
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyUniversity of California, Berkeley
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between patient service representative and patient coordinator education

There are a few differences between a patient service representative and a patient coordinator in terms of educational background:

Patient Service RepresentativePatient Coordinator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 32%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Patient service representative vs patient coordinator demographics

Here are the differences between patient service representatives' and patient coordinators' demographics:

Patient Service RepresentativePatient Coordinator
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 11.9% Female, 88.1%Male, 11.2% Female, 88.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 21.5% Asian, 6.3% White, 55.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 25.4% Asian, 6.2% White, 51.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between patient service representative and patient coordinator duties and responsibilities

Patient service representative example responsibilities.

  • Manage the daily release of charges to A/R.
  • Adhere with all state and federal regulations such as EMTALA and HIPPA requirements and appropriately collect co-payments and deductibles from patients.
  • Provide caring and compassion to elderly and developmentally disable patients.
  • Demonstrate respect, compassion and confidentiality for patients and family members.
  • Provide professional and accurate service to schedule patient appointments, check-in and verify insurance eligibility.
  • Provide quality customer service to patients and observe all protocols regarding HIPPA regulations to ensure patient confidentiality.
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Patient coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Comply with HIPAA regulations by discreetly and professionally handling all patients private medical information.
  • Gather personal plus insurance information and perform thorough insurance breakdowns for patients.
  • Communicate directly with patients to obtain initial patient information and respond to inquiries.
  • Process and update HIPAA relate paperwork and other require institutional forms as necessary.
  • Obtain all necessary documentation prior to surgery such as proof of identification, copy of insurance and require insurance referrals.
  • Respond in writing to all grievances in accordance with CMS and DNV guidelines.
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Patient service representative vs patient coordinator skills

Common patient service representative skills
  • Patients, 20%
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 7%
  • Check-In, 7%
  • Patient Service, 6%
  • Excellent Organizational, 6%
Common patient coordinator skills
  • Patients, 30%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Patient Care, 6%
  • Patient Flow, 5%
  • Excellent Organizational, 4%
  • Check-In, 3%

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