Prior authorization representative vs registration specialist

The differences between prior authorization representatives and registration 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 registration specialist. Additionally, a prior authorization representative has an average salary of $38,726, which is higher than the $30,422 average annual salary of a registration specialist.

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

Prior authorization representative vs registration specialist overview

	Prior Authorization Representative	Registration Specialist
Yearly salary	$38,726	$30,422
Hourly rate	$18.62	$14.63
Growth rate	-4%	-4%
Number of jobs	55,498	79,118
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 24%	Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

Prior authorization representative vs registration specialist salary

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

	Prior Authorization Representative	Registration Specialist
Average salary	$38,726	$30,422
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $51,000	Between $23,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	Attleboro, MA	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	Massachusetts
Best paying company	NTT Data International L.L.C.	Deloitte
Best paying industry	Health Care	Health Care

Differences between prior authorization representative and registration specialist education

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

	Prior Authorization Representative	Registration Specialist
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 24%	Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Howard University	University of Pennsylvania

Prior authorization representative vs registration specialist demographics

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

	Prior Authorization Representative	Registration Specialist
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 21.1% Female, 78.9%	Male, 14.5% Female, 85.5%
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, 10.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 6.0% White, 59.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between prior authorization representative and registration 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.

Registration specialist example responsibilities.

Attain and authenticate patient insurance information, counsel patients on changes in insurance policies, verify patient demographics.
Help patients through the registration and admitting processes and also contribute to the PBX department.
Input data entries for insurance billing; adding CPT codes and diagnosis from face sheets as patients arrive.
Act as hospital PBX operator.
Complete all charge entry, enter all CPT and ICD-9 codes for billing for multiple doctors each day.
Enter patient information and verify information according to HIPAA regulations.

Prior authorization representative vs registration 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 registration specialist skills

Patients, 25%
Customer Service, 14%
Medical Terminology, 8%
Patient Registration, 5%
Insurance Verification, 4%
Data Entry, 4%

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Prior Authorization Representative
Prior Authorization Representative vs Registration Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

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