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Release of information specialist vs medical record assistant

The differences between releases of information specialist and medical record assistants 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 medical record assistant. Additionally, a release of information specialist has an average salary of $45,891, which is higher than the $34,870 average annual salary of a medical record assistant.

The top three skills for a release of information specialist include patients, HIPAA and customer service. The most important skills for a medical record assistant are patients, data entry, and HIPAA.

Release of information specialist vs medical record assistant overview

Release Of Information SpecialistMedical Record Assistant
Yearly salary$45,891$34,870
Hourly rate$22.06$16.76
Growth rate11%11%
Number of jobs68,10391,238
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
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 medical record assistant do?

A medical record assistant is responsible for the proper documentation of the patients' information and medical records for reference to the attending physician or other medical professionals. Medical record assistants also track the patient's medical treatments and progress, as well as their health insurance details and coverage. They also respond to the patient's inquiries and concerns, including scheduling physician's appointments and updating the patients for any released medical results. A medical record assistant must have excellent communication and organizational skills, categorizing documents, and retrieving files for medical needs.

Release of information specialist vs medical record assistant salary

Releases of information specialist and medical record assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Release Of Information SpecialistMedical Record Assistant
Average salary$45,891$34,870
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $91,000Between $28,000 And $43,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYNapa, CA
Highest paying stateConnecticutAlaska
Best paying companyAstraZenecaNelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough
Best paying industryInsuranceGovernment

Differences between release of information specialist and medical record assistant education

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

Release Of Information SpecialistMedical Record Assistant
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Most common majorHealth Care AdministrationBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Release of information specialist vs medical record assistant demographics

Here are the differences between releases of information specialist' and medical record assistants' demographics:

Release Of Information SpecialistMedical Record Assistant
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 14.4% Female, 85.6%Male, 17.3% Female, 82.7%
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, 9.1% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 8.5% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between release of information specialist and medical record assistant 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

Medical record assistant example responsibilities.

  • Lead special department-wide task force initiative to minimize abuse of Oxycontin prescriptions bill to Medicaid.
  • Manage and organize all paperwork concerning caregivers and patients; organize filing system; ensure operation of electronic filing systems.
  • Work with EHR, provide medical records to patients and specialty centers.
  • Guide department through transition from paper charts to EHR system scan all patient records into database.
  • Scan documents into electronic medical records system and certify HIPAA compliance
  • Implement HIPAA guidelines in keeping patient information secure and confidential.
  • Show more

Release of information specialist vs medical record assistant skills

Common release of information specialist skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • HIPAA, 16%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Medical Terminology, 5%
  • ROI, 5%
  • Hippa, 5%
Common medical record assistant skills
  • Patients, 37%
  • Data Entry, 8%
  • HIPAA, 6%
  • Patient Care, 4%
  • Vital Signs, 4%
  • Medical Terminology, 3%

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