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Within the healthcare industry, patients undergoing treatment often rely on a considerable level of support.
This invaluable assistance is provided by highly skilled professionals known as patient access representatives.
These dedicated individuals play a crucial role as intermediaries between patients and their healthcare insurance providers.
In this article, I will delve into the responsibilities, skills, and impact PARs make in the healthcare field.
Article Table of Contents
Steps To Becoming a PAR in Idaho
There’s always a process through which individuals have to go before getting a job.
Let’s see the steps to becoming a patient access representative!
1. Education Requirements
Becoming a patient access representative requires meeting the minimum educational requirement of a high school diploma or GED.
However, if you have aspirations of maximizing your earning potential, it is highly recommended to consider pursuing an Associate’s Degree.
While a college degree is not compulsory for this position in Idaho, obtaining one can significantly enhance your resume.
Although there are no specialized degree programs exclusively tailored for patient access representatives, you can pursue a degree in healthcare administration or a related assistance program.
It is worth noting that some candidates in this field may even possess a Bachelor’s Degree.
2. Get a Certification
In Idaho, there are no specific certification or licensing requirements for patient access representatives, obtaining national certifications can significantly boost your career opportunities in this field.
There are numerous reputable certifications available for individuals seeking to become patient access representatives.
Some of these are:
- 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 the array of certifications available, the CHAA certification provided by the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM) stands out as relevant for patient access representatives.
The CHAA certification exam encompasses essential subjects including customer service, patient access services, and regulatory standards.
It equips professionals with the necessary expertise to excel in their roles.
In addition to the CHAA certification, the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) offers two other notable certifications: CMAA and CEHRS.
It is worth emphasizing that these certifications can be obtained through specialized training programs.
3. Work Experience
Work experience is very important if you want to pursue a career in healthcare, such as becoming a patient access representative.
Some examples of professional experience are:
- Record keeping
- Data entry
- Medical software proficiency
- Billing
Training Schools for Patient Access Representatives in Idaho
Some of the institutions providing patient access representatives in Idaho are:
North Idaho College 
North Idaho College provides a patient access representative program.
The course lasts for 41 hours and can be finished in either a few weeks or in a maximum of 6 months.
The program is held online and offers flexibility.
You will get to know more about medical terminology and procedures, HIPAA policies, and the revenue cycle.
You can take and pass the CHAA exam at the end of the program.
Boise State University 
Boise State University provides a reliable Health Informatics and Information Management Program (HIIM), offering a great foundation for future Patient Access Representatives.
To enroll in this program, you need a high school diploma or a GED and good entrance test scores.
The course provides self-paced schedule options for full-time but also part-time students.
This is an undergraduate type of program that has a general, science, and HIIM emphasis.
Students enrolled in the HIIM emphasis are recommended to enroll in a Certificate or Minor in Health Data Management program as well.
The HIIM emphasis program has a duration of years and between 13 to 16 credits per semester.
Idaho State University 
Idaho State University’s Healthcare Administration Program features theory classes and practical experience.
To enroll, you need at least a high school diploma, but you have better chances to get in if you have previously worked in the healthcare field.
Additionally, you’ll need to complete certain courses to attend several of the classes of the program.
The program finalizes with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree.
This degree will be useful for both entry and middle-level positions.
Practicum classes are also included in this program, but they can only be attended by those who graduated.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Boise State University | 1910 W University Dr, Boise, ID 83725 |
| Idaho State University | 921 S 8th Ave, Pocatello, ID 83209 |
| North Idaho College | 1000 W Garden Ave, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814 |
Salaries for Patient Access Representatives in Idaho
In Idaho, the salaries of patient access representatives vary depending on the specific geographical area.
The job market for patient access representatives in Idaho is quite promising.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this field will grow in the next ten years.
As a result, individuals aspiring to pursue a career as patient access representatives can anticipate a multitude of opportunities within Idaho’s thriving healthcare industry.
Typically, the annual earnings for professionals in this field range around $47,059.
To provide a more detailed breakdown of salary information, please refer to the table below.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Lewiston | $51,499 |
| White Bird | $50,154 |
| Grangeville | $50,968 |
| Tetonia | $50,834 |
| Irwin | $49,561 |
| Ahsahka | $49,489 |
| Athol | $49,489 |
| Colburn | $49,060 |
| Moscow | $49,060 |
| Jerome | $49,060 |
Regional Salary in Idaho
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise City, ID | 790 | $55,290 | $26.58 | $78,620 | $38,700 |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | 140 | $47,770 | $22.97 | $61,230 | $34,800 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | 100 | $45,680 | $21.96 | $66,660 | $33,040 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | 50 | $46,930 | $22.56 | $63,270 | $32,740 |
| Pocatello, ID | 70 | $47,910 | $23.04 | $59,290 | $36,600 |
| Twin Falls, ID | 60 | $49,600 | $23.85 | $69,010 | $38,990 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What skills do I need to work as a patient access representative in Idaho?
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 Idaho?
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.
Does my certification need renewal?
Nationally-recognized certifications usually need renewal.
How often this must be done depends on the institution issuing the certification.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Patient Access Representative
Patient Access Representative by State