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Patient access representatives play a vital role in the healthcare sector.
They provide essential support to individuals undergoing medical treatment and act as intermediaries between them, healthcare providers, and insurance companies.
In Massachusetts, patient access representatives are responsible for efficiently managing patient registrations, verifying insurance coverage, collecting and updating patient information, and scheduling appointments.
Article Table of Contents
Steps Toward a Patient Access Representative Job in Massachusetts
Here are the minimum prerequisites you must meet if you want to become a PAR in this state.
1. Complete Your Education
To be a patient access representative, you need at least a high school diploma or GED.
However, individuals who wish to maximize their earning potential and enhance their qualifications are encouraged to obtain an Associate’s Degree.
Massachusetts doesn’t force candidates to obtain a college degree but this can significantly enhance an individual’s resume compared to their competition.
No specialized degree programs exclusively tailored for patient access representatives exist yet, but several good options are available.
2. Get a Certification
In Massachusetts, patient access representatives are not legally required to obtain specific certifications.
However, obtaining national certifications can significantly contribute to career advancement in this field.
There are several certifications available, including:
- 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)
The CHAA certification is offered by the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM) and is best suited for future patient access representatives.
The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) also provides two additional certifications that can be beneficial for those interested in the patient access representative role.
These are the CMAA and CEHRS.
3. Work Experience
Becoming a patient access representative requires gaining professional experience in various areas.
Here are some good jobs to acquire both the experience and skills needed by a PAR:
- Record Keeping
- Data Entry
- Medical Software Proficiency
- Coding and Billing
Training Schools for Patient Access Representatives in Massachusetts
Future PARs can enroll in any of the programs described below.
Framingham State University 
Framingham State University offers a Master of Healthcare Administration program.
This course focuses on Healthcare Administration, which is often a requirement for patient access representative positions.
The program consists of 11 courses that are split as follows:
- 9 core concentration courses,
- 1 concentration elective course
- 1 capstone course
Students who haven’t taken an introductory statistics course during their undergraduate studies have to complete one as part of the program.
This is a two-year program, with in-state tuition set at $11,380 and out-of-state tuition at $17,460.
Penn Foster
Penn Foster provides a flexible option for individuals who are already employed and cannot attend school full-time.
They offer an online Health Care Management Associate Degree program, allowing students to earn their degree at their own pace.
The program is divided into four semesters, with each semester taking either six months on the fast track program or 12 months on the average time program.
Students must earn 62 credits to obtain their degree.
To successfully complete the program, students must pass 67 exams, submit 14 projects, and complete one practicum.
Penn Foster’s Health Care Management Associate Degree program covers all the necessary knowledge needed for a patient access representative role.
The program tuition is $1,799 per semester.
MTTI 
MTTI, located in Seekonk, MA, offers an accelerated option for those who wish to graduate and enter the workforce quickly.
They provide a Medical Billing & Coding/Office Administration Course that can be completed in 30 weeks.
The program requires 900 hours of coursework, and students must earn 27 credits according to the US Department of Education Method or 30 credits according to the ACCSC Method.
Graduation requires successful completion of the following courses:
- Medical Billing and Collections
- Hospital Coding
- Professional Medical Coding
- Electronic Medical Records Management
- Medical Office Administration
- Medical Terminology/Anatomy and Physiology
- HIPAA and Legal and Ethical Issues
- Patient Processing and Scheduling
The total tuition for this program is $16,950, which includes a $50 application fee, $100 for textbooks and supplies, and $16,800 for the tuition itself.
Boston Career Institute 
Boston Career Institute operates three locations in Massachusetts: Brookline, Malden, and Lowell.
Their program covers medical billing and coding, admissions coordination, and various clinic skills, providing a well-rounded education.
The program typically lasts for nine months, and the tuition cost is $1,500.
Students have the option to pay the tuition themselves or explore student loans and grants to cover the expenses.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Boston Career Institute | 320 Washington Street 4th FL, Brookline, MA 02445 |
| Boston Career Institute | 422 Main St 3rd Fl, Malden, MA 02148 |
| Boston Career Institute | 77 E Merrimack St Suite 19, Lowell, MA 01852 |
| Framingham State University | 100 State St, Framingham, MA 01701 |
| MTTI | 1241 Fall River Ave, Seekonk, MA 02771 |
| Penn Foster | online |
Salaries for Patient Access Representatives in Massachusetts
People seeking to pursue a career as patient access representatives can expect a wide range of opportunities within Massachusetts’ thriving healthcare industry.
On average, professionals in this field earn an annual salary of around $55,160 per year.
This next table shows the locations where patient access reps earn the most.
Everyone should know that this is one of the best-paying and entry-level positions in the healthcare industry.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Malden | $57,107 |
| Newton | $57,107 |
| Revere | $57,107 |
| Quincy | $56,612 |
| Brookline | $56,612 |
| Boston | $56,612 |
| Dover | $56,562 |
| Weymouth | $55,348 |
| Greenbush | $54,768 |
| Holliston | $54,651 |
Regional Salary in Massachusetts
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town, MA | 90 | $62,420 | $30.01 | $85,540 | $42,650 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | 2,690 | $58,550 | $28.15 | $83,840 | $39,170 |
| Leominster-Gardner, MA | 50 | $54,120 | $26.02 | $79,110 | $38,730 |
| New Bedford, MA | 100 | $62,230 | $29.92 | $89,460 | $41,320 |
| Pittsfield, MA | 40 | $55,230 | $26.55 | $73,110 | $39,640 |
| Springfield, MA-CT | 380 | $56,190 | $27.02 | $73,960 | $38,180 |
| Worcester, MA-CT | 300 | $63,140 | $30.36 | $113,410 | $39,890 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will I find Employment as a PAR in Massachusetts?
Future PARs from Massachusetts can work in these types of settings:
- Acute care hospitals
- Extended care and mental health facilities
- State and federal agencies
- Insurance companies
- Colleges
- Transcription services and consulting
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 Massachusetts?
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
Read the full guide: How to Become a Patient Access Representative
Patient Access Representative by State