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The differences between utilization coordinators and referral coordinators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a utilization coordinator, becoming a referral coordinator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a utilization coordinator has an average salary of $47,791, which is higher than the $35,179 average annual salary of a referral coordinator.
The top three skills for a utilization coordinator include patients, utilization management and patient care. The most important skills for a referral coordinator are patients, customer service, and medical terminology.
| Utilization Coordinator | Referral Coordinator | |
| Yearly salary | $47,791 | $35,179 |
| Hourly rate | $22.98 | $16.91 |
| Growth rate | 6% | -8% |
| Number of jobs | 27,605 | 65,934 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 42% | Bachelor's Degree, 31% |
| Average age | 47 | 49 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
Utilization coordinators are healthcare professionals who coordinate the effective use of health care services as well as review the medical care of inpatient hospitalizations. These coordinators are required to provide scheduling conflict information to their supervisors to alleviate any potential issues with the schedules of physicians that would interrupt patient care. They must provide information education to nursing and medical staff about the issues of utilization. Utilization coordinators must also perform clerical duties and utilize customized data entry programs to assist the claims department with data entry of claims.
A referral coordinator works with insurance companies and care providers to share essential patient information and assists primarily in scheduling appointments and managing health insurance issues. As a referral coordinator, you will work directly with the patient, patient families, or even social workers, depending on the job and patient needs. Other job responsibilities include general administrative or clerical tasks such as setting up appointments for new and existing patients, verifying insurance information before appointments, and answering phone calls.
Utilization coordinators and referral coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Utilization Coordinator | Referral Coordinator | |
| Average salary | $47,791 | $35,179 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $63,000 | Between $27,000 And $44,000 |
| Highest paying City | Everett, WA | Portland, ME |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Maine |
| Best paying company | Loudoun Water | Horizon Laser Vision |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a utilization coordinator and a referral coordinator in terms of educational background:
| Utilization Coordinator | Referral Coordinator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 42% | Bachelor's Degree, 31% |
| Most common major | Nursing | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between utilization coordinators' and referral coordinators' demographics:
| Utilization Coordinator | Referral Coordinator | |
| Average age | 47 | 49 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 32.2% Female, 67.8% | Male, 10.2% Female, 89.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.3% Asian, 5.3% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 3.8% White, 70.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 9% |