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Release of information specialist vs health information specialist

The differences between releases of information specialist and health information specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a release of information specialist and a health information specialist. Additionally, a release of information specialist has an average salary of $45,891, which is higher than the $33,343 average annual salary of a health information specialist.

The top three skills for a release of information specialist include patients, HIPAA and customer service. The most important skills for a health information specialist are patients, HIPAA, and medical terminology.

Release of information specialist vs health information specialist overview

Release Of Information SpecialistHealth Information Specialist
Yearly salary$45,891$33,343
Hourly rate$22.06$16.03
Growth rate11%11%
Number of jobs68,103135,448
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Average age4545
Years of experience1212

What does a release of information specialist do?

A release of information specialist is primarily in charge of retrieving and releasing data to qualified recipients while adhering to the guidelines and confidentiality protocols that aim to protect sensitive information. Although the extent of their responsibilities usually depends on their industry or company of employment, it usually includes maintaining records of procedures and transactions, preparing and processing documents, organizing files, producing progress reports to managers, and keeping an eye out for any inconsistencies, resolving them promptly and efficiently.

What does a health information specialist do?

A health information specialist is in charge of overseeing and developing strategies to optimize information management procedures in hospitals, physicians' offices, and other similar environments. Their responsibilities revolve around gathering and updating medical records, receiving and organizing files, and updating databases according to the appropriate coding systems and procedures. Furthermore, as a health information specialist, it is essential to coordinate with nurses and other staff to ensure accuracy in documentation, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.

Release of information specialist vs health information specialist salary

Releases of information specialist and health information specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Release Of Information SpecialistHealth Information Specialist
Average salary$45,891$33,343
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $91,000Between $25,000 And $42,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYSan Jose, CA
Highest paying stateConnecticutCalifornia
Best paying companyAstraZenecaUniversity of California
Best paying industryInsuranceHealth Care

Differences between release of information specialist and health information specialist education

There are a few differences between a release of information specialist and a health information specialist in terms of educational background:

Release Of Information SpecialistHealth Information Specialist
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Most common majorHealth Care AdministrationHealth Care Administration
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California

Release of information specialist vs health information specialist demographics

Here are the differences between releases of information specialist' and health information specialists' demographics:

Release Of Information SpecialistHealth Information Specialist
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 14.4% Female, 85.6%Male, 15.1% Female, 84.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 8.4% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 8.7% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between release of information specialist and health information specialist duties and responsibilities

Release of information specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage and track various holds on inventory: ship on quarantine; FDA hold; and quality hold.
  • Apply insurance knowledge to interpret EOB, all manage contracts and fee schedules for physician services and hospital services.
  • Generate reports for managing compliance with Medicaid documentation in support of electronic billing to MCO
  • Deliver customer service to patients and their families regarding access to their medical history information.
  • Assist clients with choosing a Medicaid HMO.
  • Handle Meditech requests then enter information into Esmartlog.
  • Show more

Health information specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage chart completion (ICD-9-CM and CPT coding/abstracting), chart assembly and analysis, patient admission and patient information privacy/security.
  • Review and audit medical records for correct DRG and APC assignment.
  • Certify requests for subpoenas, court orders, legal cases and training of employees.
  • Utilize Cerner and Centricity systems to assist in ancillary services.
  • Abstract medical records with ICD9-CM, CPT and DRG coding.
  • Scan documentation via DCS into HPF to be index under ROI.
  • Show more

Release of information specialist vs health information specialist skills

Common release of information specialist skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • HIPAA, 16%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Medical Terminology, 5%
  • ROI, 5%
  • Hippa, 5%
Common health information specialist skills
  • Patients, 26%
  • HIPAA, 11%
  • Medical Terminology, 10%
  • Patient Care, 10%
  • Data Entry, 4%
  • Office Equipment, 3%

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