How to Become a Patient Access Representative in Minnesota

In Minnesota, patient access representatives are essential contributors to the healthcare sector, offering support to individuals seeking medical care.

These committed professionals serve as intermediaries between patients and healthcare providers, ensuring effective communication and offering invaluable assistance throughout the entire healthcare journey.

Patient access representatives in Minnesota are responsible for various tasks, including patient registration, insurance verification, data collection and updating, and appointment scheduling.

Steps to Follow for a Patient Access Representative Position in Minnesota

If you are interested in pursuing a career as a patient access representative in Minnesota, here are the steps to get started on your journey.

1. Educational Requirements

To pursue a career as a patient access representative in Minnesota, a minimum educational qualification of a high school diploma or GED is typically required.

Those who wish to enhance their earning potential and qualifications are encouraged to consider obtaining an Associate’s Degree.

While not mandatory in Minnesota, obtaining a college degree can significantly boost one’s resume and provide a competitive edge in the field.

Although there are no specialized degree programs exclusively tailored for patient access representatives, there are excellent options available, such as pursuing a degree in healthcare administration.

The choice of degree program depends on various factors, including the duration of study, which can range from 2 to 4 years.

2. Get a Certification

In Minnesota, patient access representatives are not legally required to obtain specific certifications.

However, obtaining national certifications can greatly enhance career prospects in this field.

There are several reputable certifications available for individuals aspiring to become patient access representatives in Minnesota.

These certifications cover various specialized areas, including healthcare access, medical office management, billing, coding, and administrative support.

Some notable certifications offered in Minnesota include:

• 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 these certifications, the CHAA certification provided by the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM) is highly recommended for individuals pursuing a career as patient access representatives.

This certification exam covers essential topics such as customer service, patient access services, and regulatory standards, equipping professionals with the necessary expertise to excel in their roles.

Additionally, the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) offers two certifications, CMAA and CEHRS, which can also be valuable for those interested in the patient access representative role.

3. Work Experience

There are several essential methods to get the needed work experience.

Record Keeping

Developing strong skills in maintaining accurate and organized records is crucial for patient access representatives.

Data Entry

Proficiency in data entry is vital for patient access representatives.

Medical Software Proficiency

Familiarity with various medical software systems is a necessity for patient access representatives.

Billing

Understanding billing procedures and possessing a basic knowledge of medical coding is valuable for patient access representatives.

This knowledge enables them to assist in billing processes and ensure accurate documentation.

Training Schools for Patient Access Representatives in Minnesota

The programs available in Minnesota are listed below.

NAHAM

The National Association of Healthcare Access Management provides a patient access educational program.

It is offered in collaboration with Litmos, offering outcomes-based education to enhance professionals’ performance in the revenue cycle.

Through the convenient online format of Litmos, students have the flexibility to customize their curriculum based on their specific requirements.

NAHAM offers program bundles along with individual courses, including:

• CHAA Certification Preparation: This bundle assists candidates in preparing for the CHAA exam.
• CHAM Certification Preparation: Similarly, this bundle helps candidates prepare for the CHAM exam.
• Collections: Focusing on the financial collections aspect of the profession.
• HIPAA: This bundle covers all topics related to HIPAA.
• NAHAM AccessKeys: Concentrating on AccessKeys KPs and the ability to track and analyze monthly data.
• Work from Home: Preparing learners for remote patient access professional work.

Northland Community and Technical College

It provides a patient access specialist program that equips students with the skills necessary to manage patient customer services and handle various tasks related to patient intake and processing within a healthcare setting.

Critical topics covered in the program include:

• Appointment cancellation,
• Coordination and scheduling
• Verbal and written communication
• Information systems
• Revenue cycle
• Registration
• Admission,
• Patient check-in,
• Customer service.

The program is offered entirely online and consists of 27 credits.

Penn Foster

This accredited online school offers a patient access representative training program that focuses on developing administrative skills relevant to real-world medical facilities.

The curriculum covers essential subjects such as:

• Electronic medical records
• Office procedures,
• Medical terminology,
• Billing and health insurance,
• Ethics, law, and confidentiality,
• Pharmacology
• Pathology

Salaries for Patient Access Representatives in Minnesota

In Minnesota, the healthcare industry presents numerous opportunities for individuals interested in pursuing a career as patient access representatives.

With a diverse range of healthcare facilities and organizations throughout the state, there is a high demand for skilled professionals in this field.

On average, patient access representatives in Minnesota earn an annual salary of approximately $51,942 dollars.

It’s important to note that actual salaries may vary depending on factors such as experience, location, and specific employer.

For a more detailed breakdown of salary information, please refer to the table below:

Regional Salary in Minnesota

Patient Access Representative by State