Become a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant Online
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are over 11,600 medical secretaries and administrative assistants currently employed in the San Diego-Carlsbad metropolitan area.
This course will fully prepare you to enter a career as a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) as well as a medical biller and coder, and it can be completed 100% online. During your training, gain the skills needed for success in your new career, and the knowledge to pass the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) national certification exam offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). You will even receive a voucher to cover the exam fee as part of your course.
You will also be given the opportunity to choose a voucher for the medical billing and coding certification that best fits your future career goals. Choose from Certified Professional Coder (CPC, AAPC), Certified Coding Associate (CCA, AHIMA), or Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS, NHA).
Job Outlook for Medical Administrative Assistants
The BLS reports that California is the top state for the employment of medical secretaries and administrative assistants. The BLS also expects job opportunities for medical assistants alone to grow 14% overall by 2032.
Medical Administrative Assistant FAQs
WHAT DOES A MEDICAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT DO?
The National Healthcareer Association reports that medical administrative assistants are responsible for working the "front office" of a medical or healthcare facility. The duties of medical administrative assistants may include maintaining files, corresponding with outside vendors and patients, and scheduling appointments.
DO I NEED CERTIFICATION AS A MEDICAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT?
Certification is helpful for all healthcare professionals. Certification may be required for many jobs because the healthcare field is based on professionalism, high ethical standards, dedication to precision, and a focus on patient welfare. Earning your CMAA will prove you to be a responsible professional who is dedicated to providing the highest level of care in performing the necessary duties of the job.
WHERE DO MEDICAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS TYPICALLY WORK?
It is common to find medical administrative assistants working in medical facilities, which include outpatient clinics, physicians' offices, and other healthcare practices.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MEDICAL ASSISTANT AND A BILLING AND CODING SPECIALIST?
These two professions have very distinct skill sets within the healthcare setting, but it is somewhat common for medical administrative assistants to conduct medical billing, medical coding or both as a part of their job duties. Medical billing and coding specialists may have their own job titles, but they may also have their titles combined with medical assistant or medical administrative professional, depending on the size of the practice in which they are working.
WHY DO I NEED TO LEARN MEDICAL BILLING AND CODING AS A MEDICAL ASSISTANT?
There are nearly unlimited career growth opportunities in the healthcare field. Medical assistants who have specialized skill sets are among the most sought-after professions in the industry today. By combining office administration skills with medical billing and coding skills will increase your career opportunities in not just general healthcare administration but also in specialized medical services as well.
WHAT DO I NEED FOR A CAREER IN MEDICAL BILLING AND CODING?
In order to enter an entry-level career as a medical biller and coder, you will likely be required to obtain some type of professional certification. Passing one of the certification exams that you are prepared for during this online course or obtaining an associate degree will help you land a job by proving that you have the skills to succeed. In addition, medical billing and coding professionals must show that they can understand and adhere to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MBC CERTIFICATION EXAMS (CPC, CCA, AND CBCS)?
When you earn a CPC, CCA, or CBCS certification, you will prove that you have the competency needed to perform at a high standard in the field of medical billing and coding. In this course, you will be given the information you need to make an informed decision about the national certification you prefer.
- Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) – This is the top entry-level coding certification for physician, or professional fee, coders.
- Certified Coding Associate (CCA) offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) – This is an entry-level medical coding certification that applies across all settings, including physician practices and inpatient hospitals.
- Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) – This is 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 how the CPT Category II codes and ICD-10 codes work and how to assign them in common medical billing and coding procedures:
- Gain hands-on billing experience with medical billing and coding software
- Externship Starter Kit to help you gain valuable experience in the field
- Medical Biller standalone option for those who aren’t interested in Medical Coding
- 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
Your 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.
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.
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.
Registration and Enrollment
This course is 100% online. Start anytime.
This program is eligible for tuition assistance through the Workforce Partnership.
