Program Overview

Program Overview

The Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) program is a 100% online course designed to prepare students to work as medical administrative assistants in healthcare settings. The program is designated by the National Healthcare Career Association (NHA) and covers a range of topics, including medical terminology, financial practices, and patient scheduling.

Program Fee and Format

• The program fee is $2,195, which includes online instruction, textbook, workbook, and a voucher for the National Certification Exam.
• The program is self-paced and consists of 160 hours of online instruction, with 6 months of access.
• Installment payment options are available, with payments as low as $107 per month.

Job Outlook for Certified Medical Administrative Assistants

• The healthcare field offers significant opportunities for career growth, with medical assistants being among the most in-demand professionals.
• According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, job openings for medical assistants are increasing faster than other medical profession jobs, with a projected growth rate of 16% by 2031.
• The median pay for medical assistants is $37,190 per year, or $17.88 per hour on average.

Medical Administrative Assistant FAQ's

What do Medical Administrative Assistants do?

• Medical administrative assistants primarily work in the "front office" of a medical practice or healthcare facility, coordinating practice correspondence, maintaining files, and scheduling appointments.

What's the difference between a Clinical Medical Assistant and a Medical Administrative Assistant?

• Clinical medical assistants primarily deal with clinical procedures and patient care, while medical administrative assistants oversee organizational tasks, such as scheduling, managing records, and checking in patients.

Do Medical Administrative Assistants need certification?

• Medical assistant certification may be required for many jobs, and earning a CMAA establishes a medical assistant as a caring, responsible professional who has undergone a study and assessment program to validate their credentials.

In what facilities do Medical Administrative Assistants work?

• Medical assistants commonly work in medical practices, such as physicians' offices, outpatient clinics, and other healthcare facilities.

Are there any prerequisites to take this course?

• No, there are no prerequisites needed to take this course.

What kind of support will I receive?

• The course instructor will be available by email to answer any questions and provide feedback on performance, with additional support from a team of industry experts and the student advising team.

Course Objectives

• Prepare to take the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam
• Master multitasking as it relates to scheduling appointments, processing insurance requests, maintaining records, and corresponding with patients
• Learn best financial practices for a medical center
• Master the fundamentals of medical terminology and ethical best practices
• Understand the basics of working with medical documents, medical billing, and coding processes

Curriculum

Becoming an Administrative Medical Assistant

• Qualities of a medical assistant, working in ambulatory healthcare settings, the healthcare team

Managing Stress and Improving Communication

• Types of communication and barriers to effective communication; patient interview techniques

Law, Ethics and Healthcare

• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA); ethical guidelines for healthcare providers

Improving Your Medical Office

• The reception area and the medical receptionist; opening and closing the facility

Computers in the Ambulatory Care Setting

• Use of computers in the medical office; safeguarding Electronic Medical Record (EMR), Electronic Health Record (EHR) and Protected Health Information (PHI)

Telecommunications and Patient Scheduling

• Patient portal and scheduling methods; dealing with irate patients

Midterm

Medical Terminology: Word Parts, Plurals, Abbreviations

• Importance of medical terminology; understanding word parts: roots, prefixes, suffixes

Managing Medical Records

• Electronic, paper and hybrid medical records; SOAP notes, Release of Information (ROI) and Personal Health Record (PHR)

Written Communication

• Working with medical documents and records; medical transcriptionist/medical scribe

Medical Billing and Coding: An Overview

• Health insurance terms; code sets: ICD-10-CM/PCS, CPT, HCPCS Level II

Daily Financial Practices

• Improving patient payments; claims denial strategies, accounts receivable and accounts payable

The Administrative Medical Assistant as Office Manager

• Qualities of an office manager; Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI)

Final

About Your Instructors

• Hilary Khouri: 10 years of experience in the medical field, with a background in front office administration and healthcare consulting.
• LaTisha Cottingham: Over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry, with expertise in physician-based inpatient coding and Emergency Department coding.
• Carline Dalgleish: 30 years of experience in medical office administration, with a background in health information management and ICD-10 coding.
• Lydia S. Stewart: 23 years of experience as a Registered Nurse, with expertise in critical care nursing, supervision, and revenue cycle management.
• Bunny Reeves: Senior ambulatory surgery coder with experience in training student coders and supervising entry-level coders.
• Stacey O'Brien: 10 years of experience in medical coding and reimbursement, with expertise in risk adjustment coding and electronic claims submission.