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The role of patient access representatives is crucial in the healthcare sector, providing essential support to individuals undergoing treatment.
These highly skilled professionals act as intermediaries between patients and healthcare providers, ensuring that both parties receive accurate information.
This article brings more information about this occupation.
Article Table of Contents
Becoming a Patient Access Representative in Indiana
You are correct in assuming you’ll have to meet some prerequisites before getting chosen for this position.
Meeting these requirements is done by following a series of steps, detailed next.
1. Educational Requirements
Becoming a patient access representative typically requires a minimum educational qualification of a high school diploma or GED.
However, individuals seeking to maximize their earning potential are encouraged to consider pursuing an Associate’s Degree.
While not required in Indiana, getting a college degree can significantly enhance one’s resume and provide a competitive advantage over other candidates.
Although there are no specialized degree programs exclusively tailored for patient access representatives, there are excellent options available.
Some professionals in this field may hold a Bachelor’s Degree, highlighting the diverse educational backgrounds within the industry.
The choice of degree program depends on various factors, including the duration of study (ranging from 2 to 4 years), financial considerations, and career advancement aspirations.
2. Get a Certification
In Indiana, although there are no specific certification or licensing requirements for patient access representatives, obtaining national certifications can significantly enhance career prospects in this field.
There are several very good certifications available for individuals aspiring to become patient access representatives.
Some noteworthy certifications include:
- Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA)
- Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM)
- Certified Healthcare Access Manager (CHAM)
- Certified Professional Biller (CPB)
- Certified Billing & Coding Specialist (CBCS)
- Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
- Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
- Certified Electronic Health Record Specialist (CEHRS)
Among these certifications, the CHAA certification offered by the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM) is recommended for individuals seeking to become patient access representatives.
The CHAA certification exam covers essential topics such as customer service, patient access services, and regulatory standards.
It equips professionals with the necessary expertise to excel in their roles.
Additionally, the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) provides two other notable certifications: CMAA and CEHRS.
Specialized training programs are available to help individuals obtain these certifications.
3. Work Experience
The medical field requires some previous work experience.
This is also the case for those wanting to become patient access representatives.
To fulfill this requirement, you can work in:
- Record keeping
- Data entry
- Medical software proficiency
- Coding
- Billing
Training Schools for Patient Access Representatives in Indiana
As previously mentioned, it is important to enroll in a training school in order to get certified.
In Indiana, you have these next options.
Fortis College 
This school offers a nursing program and a medical assistant program.
These educational programs can help people acquire the necessary medical terminology and knowledge to pursue a career as a patient access representative.
One such program is the medical assistant program, which provides students with the skills to offer crucial support to patients in various settings, including front office, clinic, and laboratory environments.
This program emphasizes compassionate and timely care for patients, preparing students to thrive in a fast-paced and flexible workplace.
Another option is the nursing program, which combines online and on-campus courses.
This hybrid program equips students with the skills needed to succeed as entry-level registered nurses.
Upon program completion, students become eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination and obtain a license as a registered nurse in the state of Indiana.
While there are no specific degrees or programs exclusively tailored for patient access representatives, there are several degree options available that can help individuals develop the skills necessary to succeed in this role.
Penn Foster Career School 
This online training program is accredited and offers the flexibility you need if you are already employed.
The program is self-paced and will teach you everything you need to know about becoming a patient access representative.
Some of the subjects you will learn about include:
- Medical Terminology
- Medical Coding
- Electronic Medical Records
- Body Systems
The program offered by this school only lasts between 6 and 9 months.
Upon completion, you can get the certification of your choice and start your career.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Fortis College | online |
| Penn Foster Career School | online |
Salaries for Patient Access Representatives in Indiana
The salaries of patient access representatives in Indiana can vary depending on the specific geographic location.
The job market for patient access representatives in Idaho presents promising prospects.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this field is projected to experience growth in the next decade.
As a result, individuals aspiring to pursue a career as patient access representatives can anticipate a wide range of opportunities within Indiana’s thriving healthcare industry.
Typically, professionals in this field have a salary of around $49,428 per year.
For a more detailed breakdown of salary information, please refer to the table provided below.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Crown Point | $50,103 |
| Cedar Lake | $50,082 |
| Boone Grove | $50,022 |
| Brook | $49,921 |
| Beech Grove | $48,889 |
| Advance | $48,806 |
| Amo | $48,806 |
| Bargersville | $48,729 |
| Bath | $48,686 |
| Clarksburg | $48,588 |
Regional Salary in Indiana
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IN | 70 | $46,870 | $22.53 | $65,030 | $30,490 |
| Columbus, IN | 50 | $42,520 | $20.44 | $61,230 | $28,830 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | 120 | $44,040 | $21.18 | $64,300 | $30,330 |
| Evansville, IN-KY | 270 | $43,810 | $21.06 | $60,880 | $31,010 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 360 | $45,970 | $22.1 | $61,250 | $30,750 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN | 1,340 | $50,320 | $24.19 | $74,490 | $30,940 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | 50 | $46,170 | $22.2 | $60,700 | $33,180 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | 50 | $45,930 | $22.08 | $61,610 | $31,220 |
| Muncie, IN | 70 | $45,590 | $21.92 | $63,310 | $31,830 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | 190 | $44,310 | $21.3 | $65,410 | $29,540 |
| Terre Haute, IN | 90 | $47,780 | $22.97 | $63,620 | $33,290 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my certification need renewal?
Nationally-recognized certifications usually need renewal.
How often this must be done depends on the institution issuing the certification.
What skills do I need to work as a patient access representative in Indiana?
These are some of the best skills to have for a PAR job:
- Customer service
- Communication
- Problem-solving,
- Organization,
- Computer
- General office
- Being calm
- Accuracy
Are there benefits for becoming a PAR in Indiana?
Yes!
The most important one is that you get to help others and thus feel needed if this is something important to you.
Another benefit is that this entry-level job pays much more than many others.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Patient Access Representative
Patient Access Representative by State