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The differences between releases of information specialist and reimbursement 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 reimbursement specialist. Additionally, a release of information specialist has an average salary of $45,891, which is higher than the $38,273 average annual salary of a reimbursement specialist.
The top three skills for a release of information specialist include patients, HIPAA and customer service. The most important skills for a reimbursement specialist are patients, customer service, and appeals.
| Release Of Information Specialist | Reimbursement Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $45,891 | $38,273 |
| Hourly rate | $22.06 | $18.40 |
| Growth rate | 11% | 11% |
| Number of jobs | 68,103 | 32,292 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 36% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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.
A reimbursement specialist is responsible for analyzing insurance documents, processing reimbursement claims, and releasing accurate billing statements for insurance claims. Reimbursement specialists must have excellent analytical skills, especially on performing clerical tasks to evaluate insurance cases, investigate cases, and update the account information of the clients on the database. They should also have impeccable communication skills and understanding of the insurance processes to be able to coordinate with the clients, explaining the procedures of their claims accurately, and coordinate with the insurance management to improve the claims processes.
Releases of information specialist and reimbursement specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Release Of Information Specialist | Reimbursement Specialist | |
| Average salary | $45,891 | $38,273 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $91,000 | Between $29,000 And $49,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Lynchburg, VA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Virginia |
| Best paying company | AstraZeneca | Novartis |
| Best paying industry | Insurance | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a release of information specialist and a reimbursement specialist in terms of educational background:
| Release Of Information Specialist | Reimbursement Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 36% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Most common major | Health Care Administration | Business |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between releases of information specialist' and reimbursement specialists' demographics:
| Release Of Information Specialist | Reimbursement Specialist | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 14.4% Female, 85.6% | Male, 15.2% Female, 84.8% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 9.8% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 8.1% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |