When you first go to the doctor, a health clinic, an emergency room, urgent care, or a hospital, you sit down with someone who takes your personal and insurance information and verifies the insurance.
They also gather documents necessary for the clinical staff.
This person is the patient access representative and is the first point of contact for patients.
Some also answer phones and schedule appointments.
Patient access reps who work for hospitals are often required to handle admissions and discharges.
You can find a job in various healthcare facilities and can choose the one you think you will be a good fit for.
You will also help different people every day, so your job won’t get boring.
If you enjoy working with the public and want to help people, this could be the career for you.
Page Navigation
- How To Become a Patient Access Representative In Illinois
- Schools In Illinois
- Patient Access Representative Schools in Illinois – Summary Table
- Salary For a Patient Access Representative In Illinois
- Frequently Asked Questions
How To Become a Patient Access Representative In Illinois
To become a patient access representative in Illinois, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Most employers also require a college education, and some will only consider applicants with a bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences or Nursing.
Some require an associate degree in Health Sciences or Health Care Administration.
Some people working as patient access representatives started with an associate’s degree and returned to school later to earn their bachelor’s degree.
If you want to pursue a career as a patient access representative, Illinois has many schools to choose from.
Schools In Illinois
You can find schools in Illinois to earn your bachelor’s or associate’s degree.
If you have a job and want to earn your degree to become a patient access representative, you can also take courses online that allow you to learn at your own pace.
Chicago State University- Bachelor’s Degree: 
This school offers a four-year program to earn your Bachelor of Science in Health Information Administration.
The program is divided into four years of learning during the fall and spring semesters, and you must pass the following courses to earn your degree.
You must complete the general education requirement during the first two years before moving on to the professional phase during years three and four.
The required courses include:
Fall Semester Year 1
- Composition I
- College Algebra
- Biological Science Survey and Lab
- Elective
- Speech
Spring Semester Year 1
- Composition II
- Intro to Psychology
- Math: Basis Statistics and Probability
- Elective
- Physical Science
Fall Semester Year 2
- Human Anatomy and Lab
- Medical Terminology
- Intro to Health Professions
- Humanities or Fine Arts Elective
- Critical Thinking
Spring Semester Year 2
- Human Physiology and Lab
- Intro to Computers
- U.S. Diversity
- Service Learning
The professional phase begins in the third year, and the required courses include:
Fall Semester Year 3
- Acute Care and Health Info Systems
- Clinical Medicine I
- Computers In Health Care
- Health Care Statistics
- Health Info Management I
Spring Semester Year 3
- Alt Health Care Delivery Systems
- Into to ICD-9-CM Coding
- Legal Aspects of Ethics In HIA
- Technical PPE (optional) This course can also be taken during the summer semester.
Fall Semester Year 4
- Ambulatory Coding
- Health Info Management II
- Health Care Finance
- Education and Training
- Data Analysis for Research
Spring Semester Year 4
- Research in Health Care and HIM
- Health Info. Stds, Reg, and Requirement
- Health Care Org. info Systems
- Management PPE
- RHIA Exam Prep
The cost to attend University State University is $319 per credit hour, and mandatory fees total $2,328 per semester, and students can apply for financial aid and grants if necessary.
Rasmussen University: 
This school offers a Healthcare Administration Specialization associate degree program where you’ll learn everything you need to know to become a patient access representative.
This two-year program is divided into four parts, and you must pass the following courses to earn your degree.
Developmental Education Courses
- Reading and Writing Strategies
- Practical Math
General Education Courses
- English Composition
- Communication
- Humanities
- Structure and Function of the Human Body
- Social Sciences
Core Courses
- Principles of Finance
- Introduction to Organizational Leadership
- Introduction to Health Resources Management
Specialization Courses
- Pathway to Patient Care Seminar
- Foundations of Medical Administration
- Customer Service in Healthcare
- Technology Today For Medical Administration
- U.S. Healthcare Systems
- Healthcare Administrative Office Procedures
- Medical Terminology
- Healthcare Exploration and Careers
- Medical Law and Ethics
- Pathophysiology
- Elective
The tuition for this program is $11,738 and $56 for books and supplies.
Students can apply for financial aid and grants to cover the cost of tuition.
Western Illinois University- Online Certificate: 
This school offers a certificate program designed to provide or substitute coursework needed for professionals in health services administration to further prepare you for a career as a patient access representative.
You must pass the following courses to year your certificate.
- Health Services Administration
- Legal Aspects of Health Services Management
- Introduction to U.S. Health Policy
- Health Services Organization Behavior and Leadership
- Foundations of Emergency Management
- Evacuation Planning and Response
The tuition for the certificate program is $13,669 for in-state students and $24,843 for out-of-state students.
If you need help paying the tuition, you can apply for grants and financial aid.
Patient Access Representative Schools in Illinois – Summary Table
Top 3 Schools in Illinois
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Chicago State University | 9501 S King Dr, Chicago, IL 60628, USA |
| Rasmussen University | 385 Douglas Ave Suite #1000, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, USA |
| Western Illinois University | 1 University Cir, Macomb, IL 61455, USA |
Salary For a Patient Access Representative In Illinois
The average salary for a patient access representative is between $47,114 and $57,875.
The actual salary depends on the healthcare facility, your education level, and your level of experience in the healthcare field.
Most employers offer a lower starting wage, which will increase over time when you prove yourself.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Patient Access Representatives in Illinois
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Chicago | $53,157 |
| Rockford | $49,625 |
| Aurora | $52,708 |
| Naperville | $52,181 |
| Peoria | $48,672 |
| Springfield | $47,685 |
| Joliet | $51,808 |
| Elgin | $52,297 |
| Waukegan | $50,353 |
| Cicero | $53,157 |
Regional Salary in Illinois
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IL | 40 | $45,290 | $21.77 | $58,510 | $29,120 |
| Carbondale-Marion, IL | 140 | $45,950 | $22.09 | $62,000 | $30,170 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | 120 | $48,500 | $23.32 | $61,400 | $30,950 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | 3,810 | $54,070 | $26 | $77,140 | $35,430 |
| Danville, IL | 50 | $56,550 | $27.19 | $79,440 | $35,400 |
| Decatur, IL | 40 | $47,490 | $22.83 | $59,000 | $30,280 |
| Kankakee, IL | 40 | $52,460 | $25.22 | $81,320 | $28,990 |
| Peoria, IL | 170 | $43,480 | $20.91 | $63,010 | $30,270 |
| Rockford, IL | 190 | $49,000 | $23.56 | $59,090 | $34,540 |
| Springfield, IL | 140 | $48,140 | $23.15 | $62,370 | $35,720 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need special skills I won't learn in school?
Yes.
This job requires strong customer service, communication, and organizational skills.
You must be able to multi-task, solve problems and have compassion for patients and their caregivers.
Finally, you must understand the importance of patient confidentiality.
Is there room for advancement?
Yes.
Patient access representatives can advance to entry-level management positions or become trainers or coordinators.
Will I have trouble finding a job when I finish school?
No.
Demand for patient access representatives is expected to grow, with an expected 52,590 new jobs opening by 2029, so it should be easy to find a job upon graduation.
