Ready to start your medical administrative assistant and certified coding associate career?
Prepare for an exciting healthcare career with this flexible online training.
Become a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant and Certified Coding Associate
In the healthcare field, there is no shortage of demand for skilled support roles. This 100% online training will prepare you for a career as a medical assistant with a specialty in medical billing and coding. By training completion, you will be ready to pass the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam, offered by National Healthcareer Association (NHA), and the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam, offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
Job Outlook for Medical Assistants and Medical Billing and Coding Specialists
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 23% overall by 2028.
According to PayScale.com, certified medical administrative assistants earn around $37,000 per year on average. However, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that medical billing and coding specialists earn an average annual salary of $40,350 and work in one of the fastest growing professions.
Medical Assistants and Medical Billing and Coding Specialist FAQs
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 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 assistant 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. NHA estimates that job openings for medical assistants are increasing by 9-15% each year. 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 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).
Training Objectives
- Be fully prepared to pass the CMAA exam, offered by National Healthcareer Association
- Be fully prepared to pass the CCA exam, offered by the American Health Information Management Association
- Learn the legal, ethical, and regulatory aspects of medical office management
- Understand HIPAA compliance and third-party guidelines for filing insurance claims
- Learn how the CPT Category II codes and ICD-10 codes work and how to assign them in common medical billing and coding procedures
- Learn medical terminology and the structures and functions of the human body
Curriculum
Medical Terminology
- Introduction to Medical Terminology
- The Musculoskeletal System
- The Cardiovascular System
- The Lymphatic and Immune Systems
- The Respiratory System
- The Digestive System
- The Urinary System
- The Nervous System
- The Special Senses the Eyes and Ears
- The Integumentary System
- The Endocrine System
- The Reproductive System
- Diagnostic Procedures, Nuclear Medicine, Pharmacology
Certified Medical Administrative Assistant
- Becoming an Administrative Medical Assistant
- Managing Stress and Improving Communication
- Law, Ethics, and Healthcare
- Improving Your Medical Office
- Computers in the Ambulatory Care Setting
- Telecommunications and Patient Scheduling
- Midterm
- Medical Terminology: Word Parts, Plurals, Abbreviations
- Managing Medical Records
- Written Communication
- Working With Medical Documents
- Medical Billing and Coding: An Overview
- Daily Financial Practices
- The Administrative Medical Assistant as Office Manager
- Final
Medical Billing And Coding
- Introduction To Medical Billing And Coding
- Healthcare Law
- Introduction To Health Insurance Terms
- Pharmacology For Coders
- ICD-10-CM
- CPT and HCPCs Level II Coding
- Abstracting Information from Medical Documents
- New Patients, Insurance Claims and EOBs
- Submitting Electronic Claims and CMS 1500
- Blue Cross/Blue Shield
- Medicare
- Other Healthcare Programs
- ICD-10-PCS (Optional Lesson)
- Survey Of Hospital Billing
- Career Roadmap For Medical Billing and Coding – Find a Job Fast
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
The Segal AmeriCorps Education Award can be applied to this training. Enroll today to earn the in-demand skills and training you need to land the job of your dreams. Industry-recognized certifications are stackable qualifications that help set you apart from other candidates. Contact us at CEWDonline@vtc.edu or (802) 879-2348 to register with your AmeriCorps funding.
