How to Become a Patient Access Representative in New Hampshire

Patient access representatives play a crucial role in the healthcare industry, performing essential responsibilities to ensure the smooth functioning of healthcare facilities.

One primary responsibility is patient registration, which involves collecting accurate and timely information from patients for medical records and billing purposes.

Road to Becoming a Patient Access Representative in New Hampshire

If you’re considering a career as a patient access representative in New Hampshire, here are the steps you should follow.

1) Complete Your Education

In the state of New Hampshire, obtaining a high school diploma or GED is the main requirement.

But, if you are seeking increased career opportunities, get an Associate’s Degree.

When considering an Associate’s Degree, you will have various options.

Programs in healthcare administration or related fields are ideal for future patient access representatives.

These degree programs last between 2 and 4 years.

By pursuing an Associate’s Degree, aspiring patient access representatives establish a solid foundation for this occupation.

2) Get a Certification

In the state of New Hampshire, specific certifications are not legally required for individuals seeking employment as patient access representatives.

But, getting national certifications can enhance career prospects.

There are several certifications available for those looking to pursue a career as patient access representatives in New Hampshire.

These certifications are:

• Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA)
• Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
• Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
• Certified Electronic Health Record Specialist (CEHRS)
• Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM)
• Certified Healthcare Access Manager (CHAM)
• Certified Professional Biller (CPB)
• Certified Billing & Coding Specialist (CBCS)
• Certified Professional Coder (CPC)

Among these certifications, the CHAA certification offered by the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM) is highly recommended for future patient access representatives.

The CHAA certification covers crucial topics such as customer service, patient access services, and regulatory standards, ensuring that professionals are equipped with the necessary expertise for their roles.

Additionally, the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) offers two certifications, CMAA and CEHRS.

These qualifications are also valuable for individuals interested in pursuing a career as patient access representatives.

They validate their expertise and proficiency, making them more desirable candidates for employment.

3) Work Experience

Building professional experience is crucial for individuals aspiring to pursue a career as patient access representatives.

The next few occupations have several skills and knowledge useful for PARs.

If you worked as a data entry clerk, then you master this occupation, something that is a fundamental requirement for PARs.

Those who worked in the billing and/or coding field gained a good understanding of the billing procedures, and also possess solid knowledge of medical coding.

By keeping records, you develop proficiency in maintaining accurate and well-organized records is essential for aspiring patient access representatives.

This last type of job is the only one that doesn’t necessarily have to do with the medical field.

However, any other healthcare-related job that is at the entry level can provide you with the needed skills for this job.

Training Schools for Patient Access Representatives in New Hampshire

If you’re interested in becoming a patient access representative, there are several online training programs available that can provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge for this role.

New Hampshire has a couple of schools that you can attend if you want to stand out from the competition.

Medi-Cal

Medi-Cal offers an online patient access representative training program at a cost of $349.

The program consists of 25 courses and concludes with an exam, leading to a Certified Patient Access Specialist designation.

The curriculum covers various front office topics, including:

• HIPAA regulations,
• Medical necessity basics
• Patient liability determination
• Patient payment fundamentals
• Assessing the patient’s financial status
• Medicare as a secondary payer,
• Service authorization essentials.

Penn Foster

Penn Foster provides an online patient access representative program that can be completed in approximately one year, resulting in a diploma upon graduation.

This program prepares students for administrative tasks relevant to working in diverse healthcare settings, including public health clinics and insurance companies.

The curriculum is designed to ensure student success and offers preparation for industry certification exams such as CEHRS and CMAA.

Course topics include:

• Electronic medical records,
• Health insurance
• Medical billing,
• Medical office procedures,
• Body systems
• Medical terminology,
• Pharmacology and pathology,
• Confidentiality,
• Ethics,
• Law in Allied Health.

Both of these online training programs offer flexibility.

Salaries for Patient Access Representatives in New Hampshire

New Hampshire provides numerous opportunities for individuals interested in pursuing a career in the healthcare industry.

One particularly promising occupation within this field is that of a patient access representative, with competitive salaries available.

In New Hampshire, the average annual salary for patient access representatives is approximately $51,354 per year.

Keep in mind that actual salaries can vary based on various factors, such as geographical location, employing organization, and regional economic dynamics.

To gain a clearer understanding of salary ranges in this profession, refer to the table below.

It showcases the cities in the state with the highest salaries for this occupation.

Regional Salary in New Hampshire

Patient Access Representative by State