Registration representative vs patient service specialist

The differences between registration 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 registration representative and a patient service specialist. Additionally, a registration representative has an average salary of $34,021, which is higher than the $33,563 average annual salary of a patient service specialist.

The top three skills for a registration representative include patients, medical terminology and patient care. The most important skills for a patient service specialist are patients, patient service, and physical therapy.

Registration representative vs patient service specialist overview

	Registration Representative	Patient Service Specialist
Yearly salary	$34,021	$33,563
Hourly rate	$16.36	$16.14
Growth rate	-4%	-4%
Number of jobs	118,803	105,915
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

What does a registration representative do?

In medical facilities, a registration representative serves as the patients' first point of contact in clinics and hospitals. They primarily greet patients, identify their needs, gather personal and medical information, and assist them in filling out forms. They must also handle admission and discharge procedures, process payments, arrange payment plans, and collect insurance information. Furthermore, as a registered representative, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.

What does a patient service specialist do?

A patient service representative serves as a patient's primary point of contact in a hospital or clinic, ensuring accuracy and customer satisfaction. They are mainly responsible for gathering a patient's information and medical history, verifying insurance forms, managing accounts, and processing payments, arranging appointments, and even performing reminder calls and correspondence. There are also instances when a patient service representative must discuss situations to patients and their families, and even alert the doctors when a patient displays strange or unlikely behavior.

Registration representative vs patient service specialist salary

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

	Registration Representative	Patient Service Specialist
Average salary	$34,021	$33,563
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $42,000	Between $27,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	Boston, MA	Springfield, MA
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	Massachusetts
Best paying company	UMass Memorial Health	Virginia Eye Institute
Best paying industry	Health Care	Health Care

Differences between registration representative and patient service specialist education

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

	Registration Representative	Patient Service Specialist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Registration representative vs patient service specialist demographics

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

	Registration Representative	Patient Service Specialist
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 13.9% Female, 86.1%	Male, 12.5% Female, 87.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 21.3% Asian, 6.4% White, 55.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	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 registration representative and patient service specialist duties and responsibilities

Registration representative example responsibilities.

Work with third party payer requirements including Medicare, Medicaid (AHCCCS), manage care plans, and commercial plans.
Manage and update demographic and insurance information, including authorizations and referrals, while demonstrating HIPPA confidentiality regulations.
Verify eligibility and insurance benefits for patients, including Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance and workers' compensation.
Maintain patient privacy in accordance with HIPAA with a high level of professionalism, compassion, productivity, and accuracy.
Maintain proficient level of knowledge regarding Medicare requirements, HIPAA compliance and reimbursement criteria.
Complete registration process for inpatients, outpatients, and emergency patients accurately and efficiently in accordance with policies and procedures.

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.

Registration representative vs patient service specialist skills

Common registration representative skills

Patients, 25%
Medical Terminology, 10%
Patient Care, 6%
Customer Service, 6%
Health Insurance, 5%
Patient Registration, 4%

Common patient service specialist skills

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

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Office and Administrative Industry
Registration Representative
Registration Representative vs Patient Service Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

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