As a patient access representative, it would be your job to welcome and register patients at a healthcare facility, such as a medical clinic, emergency department, hospital, and specialty care practice.
You will be the first point of contact when patients arrive.
Your job will be to collect and verify information, including contact information, medical history, and insurance information.
Other duties include:
- Explaining policies and procedures.
- Getting signed consent forms from patients.
- Preparing admission and discharge documents.
This job requires excellent communication, organization, and interpersonal skills, and you’ll work with different people daily.
This could be an excellent career if you want to help people and enjoy working with the public.
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Steps To Become a Patient Access Representative In Massachusetts
Medical facilities want to be sure their patient access representatives can do their jobs well.
The rep is the first point of contact and gathers the documentation necessary to check patients in so they can see the doctor.
If you’re considering a career as a patient access rep, you need specific skills, and some steps must be followed.
- Earn a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Some employers require experience in a clerical position, and some require formal training at a college or technical school, and a bachelor’s degree in health care administration is best.
- Training or proficiency in Microsoft Office and data entry systems
- Medical terminology and insurance plan training or knowledge
You should also have specific skills essential to this position, including:
- Strong organizational skills
- Strong administrative skills
- The ability to multi-task
- Attention to detail
- Professionalism
- Compassion and patience
Patient Access Representative Schools In Massachusetts
Although some employers are willing to train on the job, many require formal education.
Going to school to learn the necessary skills may not be required, but it will help you land a job sooner.
Most employers will choose a candidate with formal training over someone they have to train, and a few schools in Massachusetts offer programs to help you reach your career goals.
Framingham State University
Framingham State offers a Master of Healthcare Administration program with a concentration in Healthcare Administration, which many employers require from patient access representative applicants.
The program consists of 11 courses, including nine core concentration courses, one concentration elective course, and one capstone course.
Students must also take an introductory course in statistics if they haven’t taken it as an undergrad.
This is a two-year program, and the in-state tuition is $11,380 and $17,460 for out-of-state students.
Penn Foster
If you already have a job and don’t have time to attend school full-time, Penn Foster offers a Health Care Management Associate Degree program online so that you can earn your degree at your pace.
It is a four-semester course, and you can complete each semester in six months on the fast track program and 12 months for the average time program, and you must earn 62 credits to earn your degree.
You also must pass 67 exams, submit 14 projects, and do one practicum.
Students will learn everything they will need to know as a patient access representative, and there are a few different payment options to cover the $1,799 per semester tuition.
#1 Pay In Full: You can save $400 in your pay in full for each semester, and $1,399 is due before each semester begins.
#2 Monthly Auto Pay: The total tuition for each semester is $1,799, and you can start with $20 down and $59 a month.
#3 Monthly Mail Pay: The total tuition for each semester is $1,799, and you must send $39 to start and agree to mail payments of $59 a month.
MTTI
MTTI is located in Seekonk, MA, and is an excellent option if you want to graduate and get a job quickly.
The school offers a Medical Billing & Coding/Office Administration Course that you can complete in 30 weeks.
It is a 900-hour program, and you’ll need to earn 27 credits for the US Department of Education Method and 30 credits for the ACCSC Method, and you must pass the following courses to graduate.
- Medical Billing and Collections
- Hospital Coding
- Professional Medical Coding
- Electronic Medical Records Management
- Medical Office Administration
- Medical Terminology/Anatomy and Physiology
- HIPPA and Legal and Ethical Issues
- Patient Processing and Scheduling
The total tuition for this program is $16,950 and is broken up between the $50 application fee, $100.00 for textbooks and supplies, and $16,800 for the tuition.
Boston Career Institute
Boston Career Institute has three locations in Massachusetts, Brookline, Malden, and Lowell.
Students will learn medical billing and coding, arranging admissions, and various clinic skills, providing a well-rounded education many employers look for.
The average program length is nine months, and the cost of tuition is $1,500, which the student or student loans and grants can pay.
Patient Access Representative Schools in Massachusetts – Summary Table
Top 4 Schools in Massachusetts
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Framingham State University | 100 State St, Framingham, MA 01701, USA |
| Penn Foster | 374 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210, USA |
| MTTI | 1241 Fall River Ave, Seekonk, MA 02771, USA |
| Boston Career Institute | 320 Washington Street 4th FL, Brookline, MA 02445, United States |
Salary For a Patient Access Representative In Massachusetts
Jobs in the healthcare field are always in demand, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding a job as a patient access representative.
The average salary is between $42,902 to $61,299, depending on the healthcare facility and your experience level.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Patient Access Representatives in Massachusetts
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Boston | $38,329 |
| Cambridge | $38,329 |
| Brookline | $38,329 |
| Lynn | $38,329 |
| Worcester | $35,900 |
| Lowell | $37,111 |
| Springfield | $35,541 |
| Brockton | $37,148 |
| Fall River | $36,196 |
| Quincy | $38,329 |
Regional Salary in Massachusetts
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town, MA | 90 | $61,690 | $29.66 | $80,170 | $38,360 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | 2,520 | $58,960 | $28.35 | $83,570 | $37,690 |
| Leominster-Gardner, MA | 40 | $52,340 | $25.17 | $74,130 | $36,380 |
| New Bedford, MA | 110 | $60,190 | $28.94 | $82,680 | $39,050 |
| Springfield, MA-CT | 390 | $53,930 | $25.93 | $70,400 | $37,220 |
| Worcester, MA-CT | 320 | $60,140 | $28.92 | $100,630 | $37,470 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Bachelor’s Degree?
No.
While a Bachelor’s Degree can help land a good job, it isn’t necessary.
You can attend a healthcare or medical office administration program where you’ll learn what you need to find a job, and you can do it in a year or less.
Is there room for advancement?
Yes.
A few career advancement opportunities are available, and you could be promoted to an entry-level management position, coordinator, or trainer.
What is the job outlook for patient access reps?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for this position is expected to grow by nine percent between 2020 and 2030.
Can I get a job as a patient access rep with a medical assistant degree?
If the healthcare facility is willing to accept your medical assistant degree, they will hire you.
However, most employers hire people with medical billing and coding training, so if this course wasn’t part of your curriculum, they may not hire you and will choose an applicant with this training.
