Prior authorization representative vs patient advocate

The differences between prior authorization representatives and patient advocates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a prior authorization representative and a patient advocate. Additionally, a prior authorization representative has an average salary of $38,726, which is higher than the $36,325 average annual salary of a patient advocate.

The top three skills for a prior authorization representative include patients, customer service and outbound calls. The most important skills for a patient advocate are patients, customer service, and patient care.

Prior authorization representative vs patient advocate overview

	Prior Authorization Representative	Patient Advocate
Yearly salary	$38,726	$36,325
Hourly rate	$18.62	$17.46
Growth rate	-4%	-4%
Number of jobs	55,498	88,778
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 24%	Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

Prior authorization representative vs patient advocate salary

Prior authorization representatives and patient advocates have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Prior Authorization Representative	Patient Advocate
Average salary	$38,726	$36,325
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $51,000	Between $29,000 And $45,000
Highest paying City	Attleboro, MA	Springfield, MA
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	Massachusetts
Best paying company	NTT Data International L.L.C.	Cognizant
Best paying industry	Health Care	Health Care

Differences between prior authorization representative and patient advocate education

There are a few differences between a prior authorization representative and a patient advocate in terms of educational background:

	Prior Authorization Representative	Patient Advocate
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 24%	Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Howard University	University of Pennsylvania

Prior authorization representative vs patient advocate demographics

Here are the differences between prior authorization representatives' and patient advocates' demographics:

	Prior Authorization Representative	Patient Advocate
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 21.1% Female, 78.9%	Male, 17.5% Female, 82.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 5.8% White, 60.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 23.6% Asian, 6.8% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between prior authorization representative and patient advocate duties and responsibilities

Prior authorization representative example responsibilities.

Manage inbound/outbound calls for medical personnel and patients, along with computerize data entry to regulate proper distribution of prescription medication.
Utilize knowledge of physician office policies, CPT and ICD-9 coding, procedures, and equipment.
Provide compassion without judgment in regards to patient's finances.
Determine if CPT and ICD-10 codes are correct and qualify for coverage.
Review all daily EDI reports to make sure claims are being accept properly.
Perform chart audits via EMR, prepare medical records for subpoenas, general requests.

Patient advocate example responsibilities.

Manage the complaint process as required by CMS for the hospital.
Provide support for emergencies by managing inappropriate behaviors, aggressive patients, CPR and persons in crisis.
Train to welcome and register patients at ESI triage window.
Document patients medical problems using ICD 9 and CPT coding for patients diagnosis.
Pull any incoming referrals, triage them, and schedule patients with the appropriate doctor.
Collect and review patient information to determine patients' eligibility for Medicaid and charity program assistance.

Prior authorization representative vs patient advocate skills

Common prior authorization representative skills

Patients, 26%
Customer Service, 8%
Outbound Calls, 5%
Medical Terminology, 4%
Data Entry, 4%
Insurance Coverage, 4%

Common patient advocate skills

Patients, 28%
Customer Service, 11%
Patient Care, 5%
Medicaid, 4%
Financial Assistance, 4%
Patient Accounts, 4%

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Prior Authorization Representative
Prior Authorization Representative vs Patient Advocate

Updated January 8, 2025

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