Prior authorization representative vs patient registrar

The differences between prior authorization representatives and patient registrars 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 registrar. Additionally, a prior authorization representative has an average salary of $38,726, which is higher than the $33,494 average annual salary of a patient registrar.

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

Prior authorization representative vs patient registrar overview

	Prior Authorization Representative	Patient Registrar
Yearly salary	$38,726	$33,494
Hourly rate	$18.62	$16.10
Growth rate	-4%	-4%
Number of jobs	55,498	86,721
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 24%	Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

Prior authorization representative vs patient registrar salary

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

	Prior Authorization Representative	Patient Registrar
Average salary	$38,726	$33,494
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $51,000	Between $26,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	Attleboro, MA	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	Massachusetts
Best paying company	NTT Data International L.L.C.	Guidehouse
Best paying industry	Health Care	Health Care

Differences between prior authorization representative and patient registrar education

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

	Prior Authorization Representative	Patient Registrar
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 24%	Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Howard University	University of Pennsylvania

Prior authorization representative vs patient registrar demographics

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

	Prior Authorization Representative	Patient Registrar
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 21.1% Female, 78.9%	Male, 13.1% Female, 86.9%
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, 11.0% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 23.0% Asian, 6.4% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between prior authorization representative and patient registrar 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 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.

Prior authorization representative vs patient registrar 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 registrar skills

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

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Prior Authorization Representative
Prior Authorization Representative vs Patient Registrar

Updated January 8, 2025

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