How to Become a Patient Access Representative:
The Definitive Guide


As the first person patients and their families meet, the patient access representative is a vital liaison between the medical community and the client.

Working as a patient access representative is the perfect position for those individuals who want to make a real difference to those receiving medical aid; it’s also a fantastic entryway into the medical profession.

The essential qualities of a patient access representative are interpersonal communication skills, organization, service orientation, and efficiency.

They are committed to providing excellent customer service and collecting and verifying personal information.

The minimum entry into the profession is a high school diploma or GED with certificates, internships, training, experience in customer care, and basic computer programs.

The patient access representative is responsible for ensuring that all the required documentation is accurate, such as insurance information, medical history, and demographic data.

Therefore, patient access representatives should possess excellent communication, good attention to detail, and interpersonal and organizational skills.

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Patient representatives, also known as patient service representatives, ensure that patients are informed, updated, and assisted when necessary.

This includes determining patient needs by interviewing patients, listening to their concerns, and providing those needs are met by liaising with patients, family members, and medical staff.

The patient access representative’s role is critical in ensuring patients receive timely and appropriate medical care.

They manage patient flow, schedule appointments, and coordinate with other healthcare professionals as part of their duties.

In addition, they work closely with insurance companies to verify coverage and inform patients about out-of-pocket expenses.

These professionals may collect copayments and other fees and handle patient financial accounts.

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Call Me By My Name

Yes, you know and love the field by the name of Patient Access Representative.

Other names that can be called out.

Some say Access Representative, Case Manager, Admissions Coordinator, Patient Access Coordinator, Medicaid Service Coordinator (MSC), Patient Access Specialist, Patient Advocate, Patient Resource Worker, Patient Service Representative, and our favorite, Patient Navigator.

Whatever the name, it’s the same game: working as an ambassador of the medical facility and a liaison between patients and paperwork.

Duties

As they take sensitive medical and personal information, they must adhere to high standards of professionalism and confidentiality.

  • Welcoming patients to the medical establishment.
  • Scheduling patient appointments and making reminder calls.
  • Obtaining patients’ contact details, medical history, and insurance information
  • Aiding patients in filling out medical history and consent forms.
  • Verifying and updating patient information
  • Administrative and clerical responsibilities.
  • Reviewing patient accounts.
  • Receiving and processing payments.
  • Answering patient inquiries or directing queries to the appropriate medical department or medical staff member.
  • Following up to ensure that patient complaints have been resolved satisfactorily

Salary

Let’s talk about remuneration.

A job well done is terrific, and so is the salary.

Patient access representative salaries typically range between $27,000 and $41,000 annually.

So a patient access representative in the US can expect to earn, on average, a salary of $33,603. (That three dollars at the end makes a difference.)

Hourly wages are as high as $23.32 and as low as $11.54; most patient access representatives currently earn between $15.87 to $20.19 an hour in the US.

The average pay range for a Patient Access Representative varies and is based on variables such as geographical location, skill level, years of experience, and certifications.

The field provides many opportunities for advancement and increased salary and responsibility.

Location, experience, education, and skills impact how much a patient access representative can expect to make.

Of course, the more expensive or competitive labor markets provide, as is appropriate, greater significant financial incentives to job candidates.

  • Annually
  • Monthly
  • Hourly

Annually National Average Salary: $53,690

$35K
$39K
$53K
$61K
$77K
10%
25%
50%
75%
90%

Average Annual Salary by State

StateAvg. Annual Salary
Alabama$42,970
Alaska$58,900
Arizona$50,130
Arkansas$44,120
California$64,070
Colorado$59,760
Connecticut$63,250
Delaware$51,030
District of Columbia$70,900
Florida$50,230
Georgia$51,070
Hawaii$62,920
Idaho$51,160
Illinois$54,070
Indiana$48,220
Iowa$49,720
Kansas$49,560
Kentucky$46,840
Louisiana$50,700
Maine$49,270
Maryland$62,930
Massachusetts$58,890
Michigan$49,760
Minnesota$60,560
Mississippi$42,440
Missouri$52,310
Montana$49,020
Nebraska$54,580
Nevada$48,110
New Hampshire$50,430
New Jersey$62,900
New Mexico$48,490
New York$60,510
North Carolina$49,400
North Dakota$52,850
Ohio$51,190
Oklahoma$49,780
Oregon$58,890
Pennsylvania$49,680
Rhode Island$56,360
South Carolina$53,300
South Dakota$52,420
Tennessee$55,950
Texas$48,030
Utah$57,260
Vermont$50,950
Virginia$54,640
Washington$64,250
West Virginia$44,910
Wisconsin$54,370
Wyoming$54,180
Guam$34,240
Puerto Rico$26,120
Virgin Islands$43,760

Annual Average Salary: Top 5 States

The top earning state in the field is District of Columbia, where the average salary is $70,900.

These are the top 5 earning states in the field:

District of Columbia - $70,900
Washington - $64,250
California - $64,070
Connecticut - $63,250
Maryland - $62,930
*Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey.
Conducted by: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

How to Become

Step 1Gain Experience Through On-the-Job Training

It’s a classic problem: You can’t get a position without experience, and you can’t get experience without a job. Most patient access positions seek applicants with at least 1-2 years of work experience.

But wait–there’s a way for applicants to find a way out of the Catch-22 of entering a new profession, in this instance, as a patient access representative.

The enterprising job seeker, you, can gain experience through a part-time job or internship supporting real-world training.

At the same time, you pursue postsecondary education, certificate, training programs, or employment in a field that helps you gain essential skills, for example, in medical billing or customer service.

This type of hands-on experience is an essential part of the career learning process, and it can help applicants identify skills that need improvement or even find areas to focus on in the future.

Step 2Foster Relevant Skills and Qualities

There is more to being a patient access specialist than being an effective and efficient administrator.

Those who are successful in this position generally have the following characteristics:

  • Compassion and empathy
  • Strong attention to detail
  • Dedication to learning
  • Ability to communicate clearly and effectively
  • Flexibility

The best patient access specialists have a spectacular combination of formal education and innate interpersonal skills.

Step 3Consider Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

While a certificate may not, strictly speaking, be mandatory, there are often benefits to acquiring additional certifications and licenses.

For example, the Certified Healthcare Admissions Associate (CHAA) certification provides proof of experience and competencies.

In addition, learning and keeping up with medical advances and learning new skills or challenges make an individual an invaluable asset to the medical office.

Step 4Begin your Career as a Patient Access Specialist

So, the successful patient access specialist candidate successfully met the educational requirements of a high school diploma or GED, sought on-the-job training, perhaps taken a postsecondary education, and earned bonus points for attaining professional certification.

Congratulations on successfully climbing the steps to meeting the goal of gaining a position as a patient access specialist and utilizing education, knowledge, and experience to help those seeking medical attention.


Education

One of the things that makes a career in patient access attractive and attainable is that it demands minimal investment and offers excellent rewards.

Getting started in the field requires a high school diploma/GED, although additional education and experience pay off, as in any profession.

Discover certificate and diploma programs in health care services that are affordable and easily accessible through many vocational schools and community colleges.

Video About The Career


Licensing & Certification

Here are 5 of the most popular certificate programs for advancing in a career as a patient access representative.

Certified Professional Patient Access Representative (CPPAR): The CPPAR program requires at least three years of experience in patient access services and an exam comprising communication skills, customer service, medical terminology, and coding, and the application process is usually completed in six to eight weeks.

Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA): The CHAA certification is voluntary.

Applicants: have two years of healthcare industry experience, a high school diploma/GED, and successfully pass the CHAA exam.

Certified Revenue Cycle Representative (CRCR): CRCR certification is open to anyone with at least one year in healthcare or related industry experience.

In addition, applicants need to pass the exam covering medical terminology, reimbursement systems, compliance regulations, and anatomy and physiology.

Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM): Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) is a professional certification program.

Applicants need at least two years as a medical office manager or supervisor in a healthcare setting to complete a NAMOM-approved course on medical office management and pass the CMOM examination.

Certified Patient Account Technician (CPAT): The Certified Patient Account Technician certification requires applicants to have at least two years in patient accounting or have completed an AAPC-approved training program.

The exam covers medical terminology, coding systems, insurance regulations, reimbursement methods, anatomy and physiology, and healthcare compliance.

While relatively few formal degree programs exist, diploma and certificate programs can be found in many technical and junior colleges.

In addition, career training institutions frequently offer programs for patient access.

Coursework in a program usually includes the fundamentals of healthcare, medical terminology, and customer service.

Some programs also deliver preliminary courses in health information technology and healthcare and insurance law.

Consider looking for a program recognized by the major regulatory bodies in your area, and consider finding a program that offers a practicum or internship component, because real-world experience can help with those valuable contacts that can provide references or job leads after completing school.

Average Training Program Duration: 0-6 Months

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Job Outlook

There are many dividends to having a career in patient access.

One of those is job security.

In addition, it provides a solid salary and exceptional job growth for those in the industry.

Health care is a healthy and growing industry.

Be part of it and flourish personally and professionally.

As with most healthcare jobs in the US, the demand for patient access representatives and other careers in the medical field is continually growing faster than employers can fill them.

As a result, the job outlook for the profession is anticipated to grow by 9% between 2020 and 2030, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Employment Growth Projection: 9%

186,400
2020
198,700
2030

That's a higher than average projected growth of 12,300 jobs.

Patient Access Representative: Interest Over Time


Should You Become a Patient Access Representative

Overall Satisfaction: High

Overall Satisfaction

For those who possess the unique skill sets, traits, education, and experience to enter and advance as a patient access representative, it is a fast-paced profession that offers a chance to be part of the medical team while utilizing skills that aid patients in receiving medical care that fulfills their needs.

If you enjoy helping people, are organized, calm, and efficient, and derive personal satisfaction in a vocation that authentically helps individuals, you can put those skills to work as a patient access representative.

Job satisfaction is derived from helping individuals and their families during some of their most trying times.

There is satisfaction in earning a good salary for a job well done and working in the medical community in a critical position that humanizes a medical institution while guiding individuals to make informed medical choices by understanding and completing the necessary paperwork.

And there is satisfaction from mastering complex and interwoven skill sets in ways that make a tangible difference in the world.

Average Salary: Medium

Average Salary

Some might say that one can’t put a price on job satisfaction.

Oh, but you can.

For example, in the US, as of 2023, the salary that a patient access representative pulls down is $33,603 annually.

But, it should be noted that this fluctuates quite a bit based on where the position is located and the skills, experience, educational achievement, competency, and care the applicant brings.

Job Growth Outlook: High

Job Growth Outlook

As long as people need healthcare, people will need your skills of compassion, organization, and communication.

Here is a profession where it’s an asset to use a combo of hard and soft skills, skills that command a good salary, respect, and job satisfaction.

Education Duration: 0-6 Months

Education Duration

So, the question on everyone’s mind is, how long do you have to go to school to be cool?

Great query!

It can take only a couple of months for you to go through training.

Personal Skills Needed

Personal Skills Needed
  • Experience working as a patient representative/customer relations/medical billing.
  • Knowledge of medical terms and practices.
  • Professional appearance and attitude.
  • Meticulous attention to detail.
  • Knowledge of office systems
  • Popular programs such as Word, Excel, Outlook, and Access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How long do you have to attend school to become a patient access representative?

Amazingly, the primary point of educational attainment to enter the profession starts with a high school diploma or GED.

However, many people opt to take classes and earn certificates, some of which can be earned in weeks or months.

Moreover, lessons can help attain the skills necessary to flourish in the profession.

And a course or certificate program can also help you get an internship or part-time employment.

Q. What skills do you need to have to be a patient access representative?

The necessary skills that help a patient access representative shine in the position include the following attributes: a mix of people-orientated soft skills such as empathy and compassion and medical and office skills.

They include:

  • Experience in a medical office
  • Compassionate and patient
  • Outstanding administrative and organizational skills
  • Knowledge of medical and insurance plans
  • Excellent interpersonal communication skills
  • Office management skills (Microsoft Office and data entry systems)
  •  Attention to detail
  • Ability to multi-task
  • Professional demeanor

Q. Are patient access representatives in high demand?

Definitely. Patient access representative jobs exist at hospitals, urgent care centers, surgical centers, and other medical practices.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as part of the medical industry, the profession is a very healthy forecast for respected and well-remunerated employment.

And work experience and certificates, and degree programs aid candidates in moving up the organizational promotional ladder, enhancing job responsibilities, titles, and salaries.

Q. What kind of education do you need to be a patient access representative?

The minimum educational degree to enter the field is a high school diploma or a GED.

One of the advantages of seeking a position as a patient access representative: solid management skills, a natural gift for helping people, attention to detail and organization, and experience is more important than formal education.

Thus, the vocation attracts many individuals interested in the medical field as a point of entry.

That said, many people take advantage of professional certificates and degree programs to gain entry into the profession as they continue to work while enjoying career advancement.

Q. How much money does a patient access representative make a year? 

Love or money, they say, makes the world go round.

And with a satisfying career in the medical profession, patient access representatives can have both.

In the US, hourly wages range from $11 to $23; most patient access representatives earn between $15.87 and $20.19 an hour.


Patient Access Representative Information by State


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