Program Overview

---

Medical Administrative Assistant with Medical Billing and Coding

The Medical Administrative Assistant with Medical Billing and Coding program is designed to prepare students for a career in healthcare as a medical administrative assistant and medical biller and coder. This 100% online course will equip students with the necessary skills to pass the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) national certification exam offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and one of the following professional certifications: Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Coding Associate (CCA), or Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS).

Job Outlook for Medical Administrative Assistants

Medical administrative assistants combine two valuable skill sets in professions that are growing quickly, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). BLS data indicates job opportunities for medical assistants will grow by 16% overall by 2031. Certified medical administrative assistants earn around $37,190 per year on average. Non-certified medical records specialists average $46,321 per year, while certified medical records specialists average $56,290 annually, which is 17.7 percent more than their non-certified colleagues.

Program Details

• Course Code: GES1015
• Course Hours: 530
• Allotted Time to Complete Course: 12 Months
• Prerequisites: None

Instructors

The program is taught by experienced instructors, including:

• Nancy Smith, with over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry
• Carline Dalgleish, with a bachelor's degree in Business Information Systems, a master's degree in Leadership, and a post-baccalaureate certificate in Health Information Management
• LaTisha Cottingham, with over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry and six years of teaching experience in medical billing and coding

Course Objectives

The course objectives include:

• Being fully prepared to pass the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant exam and one of the following professional certifications: CPC, CCA, or CBCS
• Learning the legal, ethical, and regulatory aspects of medical office management
• Understanding HIPAA compliance and third-party guidelines for filing insurance claims
• Coding diagnoses, services, and procedures for all systems of the body
• Learning medical terminology and the structures and functions of the human body
• Understanding the basics of working with medical documents, medical billing, and coding processes

Course Curriculum

The course curriculum includes:

Certified Clinical Medical Assistant

• Medical Terminology
• Medical Assisting Foundations
• Professional Behavior
• Legal and Ethical Issues
• The Art of Communicating
• Telecommunications, Telephone Professionalism, and Telephone Techniques
• Written Communications
• Medical Office Environment
• Patient Scheduling
• Managing Medical Records
• Introduction to Health Insurance
• Medical Coding: An Overview
• Midterm
• Patient Accounts
• Insurance Claims, Patient Billing, and Collections
• Daily Financial Practices
• Managing the Office
• Pharmacology
• Final

Medical Billing and Coding

• Introduction to Medical Billing and Coding
• Introduction to Health Insurance
• Managed Healthcare
• Revenue Cycle Management
• Legal Aspects of Health Insurance and Reimbursement
• ICD-10-CM Coding
• CPT Coding
• HCPCS Level II Coding
• ICD-10-PCS Coding
• Pharmacology for Coders
• Midterm
• Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI)
• Insurance Claims
• Commercial Insurance
• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Medicare
• Medicaid, CHIP, TRICARE, Workers' Compensation
• Certification
• How to Find a Job in Medical Billing and Coding
• Final

Medical Administrative Assistants FAQ

What do Medical 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.

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.

What is the difference between being a medical assistant and a medical billing and coding specialist?

These are two distinct skill sets used within a healthcare setting, but the responsibilities of a medical assistant may include medical billing, medical coding, or both.

Why should medical assistants learn medical billing and coding?

The healthcare field offers one of the leading areas of opportunities for career growth today, and matching office administration skills with medical billing and coding opens up more opportunities in both general healthcare administration and specialized medical services.

What are the requirements for a medical billing and coding career?

Entry-level positions typically require completion of a certificate and passing one of the certification exams or an associate degree program in medical billing and coding.

What is the difference between certification exams (CPC, CCA, and CBCS)?

Obtaining a CPC, CCA, or CBCS certification implies that an individual has met competencies in the field of medical billing and coding, and certification is invaluable to the student's career goals.