Prior authorization representative vs patient service specialist

The differences between prior authorization representatives and patient service 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 prior authorization representative and a patient service specialist. Additionally, a prior authorization representative has an average salary of $38,726, which is higher than the $33,563 average annual salary of a patient service specialist.

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

Prior authorization representative vs patient service specialist overview

	Prior Authorization Representative	Patient Service Specialist
Yearly salary	$38,726	$33,563
Hourly rate	$18.62	$16.14
Growth rate	-4%	-4%
Number of jobs	55,498	105,915
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 24%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

Prior authorization representative vs patient service specialist salary

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

	Prior Authorization Representative	Patient Service Specialist
Average salary	$38,726	$33,563
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $51,000	Between $27,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	Attleboro, MA	Springfield, MA
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	Massachusetts
Best paying company	NTT Data International L.L.C.	Virginia Eye Institute
Best paying industry	Health Care	Health Care

Differences between prior authorization representative and patient service specialist education

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

	Prior Authorization Representative	Patient Service Specialist
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 24%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Howard University	University of Pennsylvania

Prior authorization representative vs patient service specialist demographics

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

	Prior Authorization Representative	Patient Service Specialist
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 21.1% Female, 78.9%	Male, 12.5% Female, 87.5%
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, 12.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 21.9% Asian, 6.4% White, 54.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between prior authorization representative and patient service specialist 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 service specialist example responsibilities.

Benefit coverage eligibility or concerns for patients will be complete timely to achieve identify outcomes or solutions.
Greet patients and visitors with warmth, compassion, and demonstrate commitment to exceptional service.
Provide customer service to patients via registration, co-pay and co-insurance payment collection, appointment scheduling and telephone service
Obtain patient demographic, billing, insurance, and other necessary intake information for patients seeking rehabilitation services.
Screen, triage, register and verify a high volume of client eligibility and demographic data.
Direct callers to appropriate personnel, and initiate a triage slip for response by medical personnel.

Prior authorization representative vs patient service specialist 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 service specialist skills

Patients, 20%
Patient Service, 9%
Physical Therapy, 8%
Rehabilitation, 8%
Patient Appointments, 8%
Front Desk, 7%

Prior Authorization Representative vs. similar jobs

Prior Authorization Representative related careers

Prior Authorization Representative related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Office and Administrative Industry
Prior Authorization Representative
Prior Authorization Representative vs Patient Service Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse office and administrative jobs