Certified Medical Administrative Assistant with Medical Billing and Coding

Become a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant and a Medical Billing and Coding Professional

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow 13% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations; this increase is expected to result in about 2 million new jobs over the decade. In addition to new jobs from growth, opportunities arise from the need to replace workers who leave their occupations permanently. About 1.9 million openings each year, on average, are projected to come from growth and replacement needs.

This 100% online course will prepare you for a career in healthcare as a medical administrative assistant and medical biller and coder. By course completion, you will be ready to pass the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) national certification exam offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and receive a voucher that covers the exam fee. You can also choose a voucher for the medical billing and coding certification that best aligns with your interests and career goals. You will have three medical billing and coding certifications to choose from: Certified Professional Coder (CPC, AAPC), Certified Coding Associate (CCA, AHIMA), or Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS, NHA).

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• Job Outlook for Medical Administrative Assistant

  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. According to BLS, certified medical administrative assistants earn around $37,190 per year on average.

  According to a recent American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Salary Survey results, non-certified medical records specialists average $46,321 per year, while certified medical records specialists average $56,290 annually — 17.7 percent more than their noncertified colleagues. By combining these two disciplines, you have the potential to both raise your income expectancy and increase your marketability in the industry.

• Medical Administrative Assistant FAQ

  What do medical administrative assistants do?
  According to NHA, medical administrative assistants primarily work in the "front office" of a medical practice or healthcare facility. Their duties may include coordinating practice correspondence, maintaining files and scheduling appointments.

  Do medical administrative assistants need certification?
  The healthcare environment operates based on professionalism, precision and dedication to patient welfare. Medical assistant certification may be required for many jobs. 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, according to the BLS.

  What is the difference between being a medical assistant and a medical billing and coding specialist?
  Essentially, these are two distinct skill sets used within a healthcare setting. However, the responsibilities of a medical assistant may include medical billing, medical coding or both. Similarly, medical billing and coding specialists may have their job titles or may have their titles combined with a medical assistant or medical administrative professional designation.

  Why should medical assistants learn medical billing and coding?
  The healthcare field offers one of the leading areas of opportunities for career growth today. Within healthcare, specialized medical assistants are among the most in-demand professionals. Matching office administration skills with medical billing and coding opens up more opportunities in general healthcare administration and specialized medical services.

  What are the requirements for a medical billing and coding career?
  Entry-level positions typically require completing a certificate and passing certification exams or an associate degree program in medical billing and coding. Medical billing and coding professionals must also understand the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

  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. Certification is invaluable to the student's career goals. Students can make confident, informed decisions about the national certification they prefer. Please see the certification descriptions below:

  The Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam is offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). It is the gold standard entry-level coding certification for physicians or professional fee coders.

  The Certified Coding Associate (CCA) is offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). It is an entry-level medical coding certification across all settings: physician practices and inpatient hospital.

  The Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) is offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and is currently an entry-level medical billing certification for physician practices. The exam is an entry-level billing and coding certification, with the inclusion of ICD-10-CM, CPT and HCPCS Level II testing.

• Course Objectives
  • Be fully prepared to pass the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant exam, offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and one of the following professional certifications that best aligns with your interest and career goals:
    • Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)
    • Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
    • Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) exam offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
  • Learn the legal, ethical and regulatory aspects of medical office management
  • Understand HIPAA compliance and third-party guidelines for filing insurance claims
  • How to code diagnoses, services, and procedures for all systems of the body
  • Learn medical terminology and the structures and functions of the human body
  • The basics of working with medical documents, medical billing, and coding processes
• Curriculum
  • Medical Terminology
  • Certified Medical Administrative Assistant
    1. Medical Assisting Foundations
    2. Professional Behavior
    3. Legal and Ethical Issues
    4. The Art of Communicating
    5. Telecommunications, Telephone Professionalism, and Telephone Techniques
    6. Written Communications
    7. Medical Office Environment
    8. Patient Scheduling
    9. Managing Medical Records
    10. Introduction to Health Insurance
    11. Medical Coding: An Overview
    12. Midterm
    13. Patient Accounts
    14. Insurance Claims, Patient Billing, and Collections
    15. Daily Financial Practices
    16. Managing the Office
    17. Pharmacology
    18. Final
  • Medical Billing and Coding
    1. Introduction to Medical Billing and Coding
    2. Introduction to Health Insurance
    3. Managed Healthcare
    4. Revenue Cycle Management
    5. Legal Aspects of Health Insurance and Reimbursement
    6. ICD-10-CM Coding
    7. CPT Coding
    8. HCPCS Level II Coding
    9. ICD-10-PCS Coding
    10. Pharmacology for Coders
    11. Midterm
    12. Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI)
    13. Insurance Claims
    14. Commercial Insurance
    15. Blue Cross Blue Shield
    16. Medicare
    17. Medicaid, CHIP, TRICARE, Workers' Compensation
    18. Certification
    19. How to Find a Job in Medical Billing and Coding
    20. Final
• Instructors

  Nancy Smith
  Nancy Smith has over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Her clinical experience includes working as a medical assistant for a network of rural health clinics and as a medical coder, insurance claims specialist, and medical records auditor. She worked as a medical office manager for ten years, where she recruited and trained all medical assistants. Nancy holds a bachelor's degree in vocational education and has developed and taught medical assistant programs.

  Carline Dalgleish
  Carline Dalgleish has worked in medical office administration for over 30 years. She holds a bachelor's degree in Business Information Systems, a master's degree in Leadership, and a post-baccalaureate certificate in Health Information Management. She is a Registered Health Information Administrator and an AHIMA Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer. Dalgleish is the author of an ICD-10 coding system and also owns her own consulting firm, AnnGrant Educational Services.

  LaTisha Cottingham
  LaTisha Cottingham has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. She has six years of teaching experience in the field of medical billing and coding and Medical Assisting. Currently she is employed as an HIM Analyst for a long-term care establishment that is based out of Alabama.