When you go to a medical facility, such as a health clinic, doctor’s office, or hospital, the first person you see is the patient access representative.
This person takes your personal information and insurance information and often confirms the insurance is still active and will cover the cost of the visit or hospital stay.
They also prepare patient information for the clinical staff and answer any questions you have.
If you’re admitted to the hospital for a procedure or surgery, the patient access representative will prepare your admission forms.
The representative may also be responsible for answering the phones and scheduling appointments.
If you’re looking for an administrative role in the medical field, this could be an excellent job for you as long as you have the necessary qualifications.
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Steps To Become a Patient Access Representative In Kansas
You must meet the requirements to land a job as a patient access representative.
The education level required varies based on the facility, and they all require a high school diploma or equivalent.
Most employers require a college degree.
Patients access representatives study health care administration, and some studied nursing.
Around 36 percent of patient access representatives hold a bachelor’s degree, and 27 percent have an associate degree, and most healthcare facilities will accept either degree.
Schools In Kansas
If you’re interested in becoming a patient access representative, there are schools in Kansas where you can earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
Metropolitan Community College (Associate Degree) 
This school offers a Health Information Management program, where you can earn your associate degree and must pass the following courses to graduate.
- Medical Terminology
- Introduction to Health Information Management
- Legal Aspects of Health Information Management
- Pharmacology
- Database for Health Information
- Healthcare Statistics
- Quality Improvement in Healthcare
- Health Data Systems
- Organizational Management
- Clinical Classification Systems-Diagnostic
- Clinical Classification Systems
- Healthcare Reimbursement Methodologies
- Clinical Professional Practice
- Ambulatory Care Coding- CPT
- Coding Professional Practice
- Health Information Management Competency Review
The program costs vary depending on where you live.
Tuition for in-district residents is $9,135.50 to $9,256.50, out-of-district residents must pay $17,893.50 to $18,130.50, and tuition for out-of-state residents is $24,160.00 to $24,480.00.
Students must also pay for their textbooks, which cost $1,800 new and $1,000 for used books.
They must also pay $14.53 for FCSR and $140 to use the Clinical Student Tracking System.
University of Kansas Medical Center (Bachelor’s Degree) 
This school offers a Master of Health Services Administration (MHSA) program designed to prepare students for various careers in the medical field, including a patient access representative.
This is a four-year program, and students must pass the following courses to earn their bachelor’s degree:
- Healthcare System
- Research for Healthcare Leaders
- Healthcare Economics
- Financial Concepts in Healthcare Management
- Financial Applications in Healthcare Management
- Healthcare Management
- Governance and Health Law
- Ethics
- Health Policy
- Health Information Technology Management
- Business Intelligence in Healthcare
- Designing Healthcare Organizations
- Introduction to Operations
- Strategic Management
- Human Resources and Workforce Development
- Organizational Behavior in Healthcare
- Professional Development
- Graduate Internship in Health Services Administration
- Research Practicum in Health Services Administration
- Capstone Seminar
Students must also take one or more of the following elective courses:
- Rural Health Care
- Organizational Foundations for Leading Change
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Comparative Health Care Systems
- Health Care and Social Policies in Sweden
The tuition for Kansas residents is $342 per credit hour and $891 for non-residents, and they must complete 60 to 63 credit hours.
Students can also do their undergrad courses online for $80. Students are also responsible for other fees, including:
- Campus fees: $421.77
- Background check: $43.00
- AHIMA membership: $49.00
- Application fee: $75.00
- Additional expenses (supplies, textbooks, etc.) $1,500.
Penn Foster (Online Associate Degree0)
If you already have a job and don’t have time to attend school full-time, Penn Forster offers a Health Care Management Program that allows you to complete the course at your own pace.
You’ll have time to work and also complete your studies.
The courses are divided into four semesters, and students must pass the following classes to earn their degree.
Semester 1
- Introduction to Allied Health
- Information Literacy
- Computer Applications
- English Composition
- Law, Ethics, and Confidentiality in Allied Health
- Medical Terminology
- Mathematics for Business and Finance
Semester 2
- Interpersonal Communication
- Health Care Management
- Anatomy and Physiology 1
- Anatomy and Physiology 2
- Basic Accounting
- General Education Elective
Semester 3
- Human Resources Management
- Quality Management/Performance Improvement
- Electronic Medical Records
- Medical Coding
- Reimbursement Methodologies
Semester 4
- Supervision and Leadership
- Department Management
- Healthcare Statistics
- Essentials of Psychology
- Practicum in Health Care Management
The average length of each semester is 12 months, but students who can dedicate more time to their coursework can complete each semester in as little as six months.
Students have three payment plan options to pay the $1,799 tuition.
Students who pay each semester in full get a $400 discount and will pay $1,399 every semester.
The Monthly Auto Pay Plan requires $20 down to start and $59 each month, which the school will automatically deduct from the chosen account.
The Monthly Mail Pay Plan requires $39 down, and students must mail a payment of $39 every month.
Patient Access Representative Schools in Kansas – Summary Table
Top 3 Schools in Kansas
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Metropolitan Community College | 3201 Southwest Trafficway, Kansas City, Missouri 64111, USA |
| University of Kansas Medical Center | 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA |
| Penn Foster | 925 Oak Street, Scranton, PA 18515 USA |
How Much Do Patient Access Representatives Make In Kansas?
The average salary for a patient access representative in Kansas is $45,853 to $56,326.
The salary depends on the facility, education level, and experience.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Patient Access Representatives in Kansas
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Wichita | $47,518 |
| Overland Park | $49,262 |
| Kansas City | $49,408 |
| Topeka | $46,606 |
| Olathe | $49,128 |
| Lawrence | $47,599 |
| Shawnee | $49,262 |
| Salina | $47,015 |
| Manhattan | $46,102 |
| Hutchinson | $47,015 |
Regional Salary in Kansas
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence, KS | 70 | $45,300 | $21.78 | $57,860 | $34,170 |
| Manhattan, KS | 40 | $41,790 | $20.09 | $54,880 | $30,100 |
| Topeka, KS | 170 | $50,020 | $24.05 | $63,300 | $33,240 |
| Wichita, KS | 370 | $43,590 | $20.96 | $61,090 | $30,740 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the future job projections for patient resource representatives?
According to the US Labor Bureau of Labor Statics, the demand for patient access representative positions is growing faster than employers can fill them, and the job outlook is expected to grow 9 percent between 2020 and 2030.
Is there room for advancement?
Yes.
Patient access representatives can be promoted to entry-level management positions, coordinators, or trainers.
Do I need special skills to succeed as a patient access representative?
Yes.
To become a successful patient access representative, you must have strong organizational, administrative, and communication skills.
You must also be proficient in Microsoft Office and other data entry systems and be professional, patient, and compassionate.
