Online Medical Administrative Assistant Certification with MBC
Become a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant and a Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
Our 100% online certified medical administrative assistant course offers comprehensive training in administrative medical assistants and medical billing and coding, including patient flow management, scheduling appointments, insurance eligibility verification, medical coding, and more. You will learn about legal, ethical, and regulatory concepts central to the field and receive a voucher to cover the cost of the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) national certification exam offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
You will also be able to choose a voucher for the professional certification that best aligns with your interests and career goals related to medical billing and coding, such as the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), and the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) exam offered by the NHA.
Job Outlook for Medical Administrative Assistants and Medical Billing and Coders
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 14% by 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. On average, about 114,600 job openings for medical assistants are projected each year, with these professionals earning a median annual wage of $42,000 in May 2023.
The BLS also reports that as of May 2023, the median annual salary for medical records specialists was $48,780. Employment opportunities for medical records specialists are projected to grow by 8% by 2032, faster than the average rate for all occupations. Throughout that period, approximately 15,000 job openings are expected to be available for medical records specialists each year, on average.
CMAA and Medical Billing & Coding FAQs
What is a CMAA? 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.
What is medical billing and coding? What does a medical biller and coder do?
Medical billing and coding professionals are responsible for processing patient data, including medical records and related insurance. They code a patient’s diagnosis and then request payment from the patient’s insurance company. They also play an essential role in ensuring that healthcare providers are quickly and accurately paid for the treatment they give patients.
Do medical administrative assistants need certification?
The healthcare environment operates on the basis of 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 own job titles or may have their title 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 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. Additionally, medical billing and coding professionals must 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 have an opportunity to 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 physician, 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
- Medical Billing and Coding
- Medical coding terminology required for medical coding, including the structures and functions of the human body
- The disorders and medical procedures common to each body system
- Legal, ethical, and regulatory concepts central to the field, including HIPAA compliance and third-party guidelines for filing insurance claims
- The main coding manuals: ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, CPT, and HCPCS Level II
- How to code diagnoses, services, and procedures for all systems of the body
- The fundamentals of medical billing & coding and medical terminology
- Word parts and the structures and functions of the human body
- What is required to succeed as a Medical Administrative Assistant
- Multitasking as it relates to scheduling appointments, processing insurance requests, maintaining records, and corresponding with patients
- The best financial practices for a medical center
- The fundamentals of medical terminology and ethical best practices
- The basics of working with medical documents, medical billing, and coding processes
- Identify the professional traits that a medical assistant must possess
- Discuss the various administrative job duties of a medical assistant
- Recognize the importance of professional certification
Prerequisites and Certification Requirements
There are no prerequisites to take these courses. To sit for the national certification exam, candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Certification exams offered by AAPC and NHA are only available online to candidates located in the US. AHIMA only offers in-person exams in both the US and Globally.Instructors
Registration and Enrollment
This course is 100% online. Start anytime.