Certified Medical Administrative Assistant with Medical Billing and Coding (Vouchers Included)

Did you know that according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job market for medical assistants will grow at a rate of 16% through 2031, which is much faster than the average job? This online medical administrative assistant certification course will teach you how administrative medical assistants with medical billing and coding knowledge are versatile and valuable healthcare team members who handle a broad range of duties. You will also be prepared for national certification exams.

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12 Months / 530 Course Hrs

Open Enrollment

Offered in partnership with your preferred school

George Mason University

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Learning method

Instructor-led

$3,795

Self-paced. Study on your own schedule

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Details + Objectives

Course code: GES1015

What you will learn

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

How you will benefit

Jump-start your career in the medical field
Get hands-on, practical experience in medical billing and coding
Learn how to effectively communicate with prospective patients and fellow professionals in the medical industry
Understand how to create positive, efficient experiences for patients to make them more comfortable
You will be awarded a certificate of completion and will be prepared to sit for the professional certification that best aligns with your interest and career goals
You will also be able to choose a voucher for the professional certification to enroll for the exam
You'll also receive access to the study materials that align with the exam option you choose
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)
Professionalism represents the types of behavior that demonstrates your moral, ethical, and respectful attributes when interacting with patients and coworkers
The medical assistant has a critical role in the ambulatory care setting, performing administrative tasks under the direction of the provider
An increasing number of employers now require that their medical assistants be certified, showing they have met certain educational requirements and are committed to continuing their education moving forward

How the course is taught

Self-paced, online course
12 Months to complete
Open enrollment, begin anytime
530 course hours

Outline

Medical Terminology
1. Introduction to Medical Terminology
2. The Musculoskeletal System
3. The Cardiovascular System
4. The Lymphatic and Immune Systems
5. The Respiratory System
6. The Digestive System
7. The Urinary System
8. The Nervous System
9. The Special Senses The Eyes and Ears
10. The Integumentary System
11. The Endocrine System
12. The Reproductive System
13. Diagnostic Procedures, Nuclear Medicine, Pharmacology
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. Patient Accounts
13. Insurance Claims, Patient Billing, and Collections
14. Daily Financial Practices
15. Managing the Office
16. Pharmacology
17. Certification
18. Preparing for Your Career
Medical Billing and Coding

Introduction to Medical Billing and Coding
1. Career Opportunities
2. Personal and Technical Qualifications
3. Employment Settings
4. Telecommunications
5. Professional Certifications
Introduction to Health Insurance
1. Health Insurance Terminology
2. Commercial and Government Payers
3. Healthcare Documentation
4. Electronic Health Record
Managed Healthcare
1. Types of Reimbursement
2. Managed Care Providers
3. Managed Care Models
4. Consumer-Directed Health Plans
Revenue Cycle Management
1. Phases of Revenue Cycle Management
2. Encounter Form, Chargemaster
3. Insurance Claim Cycle
4. New Patient Registration
5. Collection Practices
Legal Aspects of Health Insurance and Reimbursement
1. Laws Affecting Healthcare
2. Protected Health Information
3. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
4. Fraud and Abuse in Medical Billing and Coding
5. Release of Information
ICD-10-CM Coding
1. Overview of ICD-10-CM
2. Key Features
3. Organization of the Codebook
4. Index to Diseases and Injuries
5. Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries
6. Coding Conventions
7. Official Guidelines
CPT Coding
1. Overview of Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS)
2. Category I, Category II, and Category III Codes
3. Organization of the Codebook
4. Main CPT Sections
5. Evaluation and Management
6. Anesthesia
7. Surgery
8. Radiology
9. Pathology and Laboratory
10. Medicine
11. Code Modifiers
HCPCS Level II Coding
1. Overview of HCPCS Level II
2. Organization of the Codebook
3. Durable Medical Equipment
ICD-10-PCS Coding
1. Overview of ICD-10-PCS
2. Code Structure
3. Definitions
4. Index
5. Code Tables
6. Coding Steps
Pharmacology for Coders
1. Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics
2. Routes of Administration
3. Drug Classifications
4. Prescription Drugs and Over-the-Counter Drugs
5. Controlled Substances
6. Medication Lists and the Electronic Health Record
MIDTERM
Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI)
1. Deficiencies in Documentation
2. Medical Necessity
3. Auditing
4. Coding From Patient Documentation
Insurance Claims
1. National Uniform Claim Committee
2. CMS-1500 Claim Form
3. Patient and Insured Information
4. Physician or Supplier Information
5. UB-04 Claim Form
Commercial Insurance
1. Individual/Group Health Insurance, Automobile, Disability, Liability, Workers' Compensation
2. Completing Commercial Health Insurance Claims
Blue Cross Blue Shield
1. History of BCBS
2. Types of BCBS Plans
3. Participating/Nonparticipating Providers
4. BCBS Billing and Payment Guidelines
Medicare
1. Medicare Eligibility
2. Medicare Part A, B, C, and D
3. National Coverage Determinations/Local Coverage Determinations
4. Participating/Nonparticipating Providers
5. Physician Fee Schedule
6. Medicare Billing and Payment Guidelines/NCCI
Medicaid, CHIP, TRICARE, Workers' Compensation
1. Medicaid
2. Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
3. TRICARE
4. Workers' Compensation
Certification
1. Selecting the Right Certification
2. Study Strategies for the Certification Exam
3. Prior to the Exam
4. Morning of the Exam
5. During the Exam
How to Find a Job in Medical Billing and Coding
1. Formulating Your Career Goals
2. What Employers Want
3. Showcasing Your Skills
4. Resume Tips
5. Cover Letter Tips
6. Interview Questions
FINAL

Instructors & Support

Stacey O'Brien

Stacey O'Brien has more than 10 years of experience in medical coding and reimbursement. Ms. O'Brien has been a risk adjustment coder for a Medicare advantage plan, audited medical records for a consulting firm, and currently supervises the coding and electronic claims submission process for a group medical practice. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a CPC coding certification from the AAPC.

Sharon L. Blackford

Sharon L. Blackford, MA, BA, RMA, has over 30 years of experience in the medical field. She has a Master's degree in Organizational Management, a Bachelor's degree in Business Management, and has served as a Registered Medical Assistant since 1994. Sharon was an active duty Clinical Specialist in the U.S. Army for 10 years. Sharon later moved to the Gulf Coast to accept a position as the Director of Education of Blue Cliff College and was promoted to Campus Director.

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.

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. Previously she was employed as the lead instructor for the Allied Health Department for a local career institute. LaTisha's field of expertise is in the area of physician-based inpatient coding and Emergency Department coding. The certifications that she holds are as follows: a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), a Certified Professional Coder (CPC), and a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA). In preparation for ICD-10-CM, LaTisha received her ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer Certification from American Health Information Association (AHIMA), where she is currently a member. LaTisha is also a member of the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and the National Healthcare Association (NHA) where she is a test proctor.

Lydia S. Stewart

Lydia S. Stewart, RN, BSN, currently serves as the Revenue Cycle Manager at a large regional medical center. Lydia has been a Registered Nurse for 23 years, 15 of those years specializing in Critical Care Nursing and supervision. She is responsible for Medical Audits, Charge Capture, and governmental compliance audits and reviews. Lydia is a member of the Louisiana Medical Auditor Association and Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA).

Bunny Reeves

Bunny Reeves is the senior ambulatory surgery coder at the Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. She trains student coders at Maimonides Medical Center and previously trained and supervised entry-level coders at Staten Island's St. Vincent Medical Center. Reeves is a Certified Coding Specialist, accredited by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

Hilary Khouri

Hilary Khouri has ten years of experience in the medical field. After college, she began her medical career working in the front office of a group practice handling daily administrative tasks. Her medical experience also includes working at a healthcare consulting firm, where she reviewed electronic health records for completeness and educated providers on documentation improvement in addition to performing risk adjustment coding. She holds a bachelor's in fashion merchandising from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and is a Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) through the University of Alabama.

Instructor Interaction: The instructor looks forward to interacting with learners in the online moderated discussion area to share their expertise and answer any questions you may have on the course content.

Requirements

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites to take these courses.

Certification Requirements:

In order to sit for the national certification exam, candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook device.

Software Requirements:

PC: Windows 10or later operating systems.
Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
Microsoft Word Online
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.
Other: Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following textbook, workbook, and codebooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment:

Medical Terminology for Health Professions
Merriam-Webster's Medical Desk Dictionary
Medical Assisting: Administrative & Clinical Competencies, by Michelle Blesi
Workbook to Accompany Medical Assisting: Administrative & Clinical Competencies, by Michelle Blesi
Understanding Health Insurance: A Guide to Billing and Reimbursement
Accompanying Workbook: Understanding Health Insurance: A Guide to Billing and Reimbursement
ICD-10-CM Expert for Physicians
CPT Professional
HCPCS Level II Professional

Choice of study guide/voucher package upon course completion:

CBCS Study Guide
Professional Review Guide for the CCA Examination and ICD-10-PCS Expert
Official CPC Certification Study Guide

Please Note: You will receive a digital book if the physical book is on backorder.

*The course includes the current year of coding books, and you will be responsible for purchasing your updated coding books from year to year.

FAQ

According to the AAPC 2022 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.

Medical Billers and Coders are responsible for processing patient data including medical records and related insurance. In this position, you will code a patient's diagnosis and then request payment from the patient's insurance company. You will play an important role in ensuring that healthcare providers are quickly and accurately paid for the treatment they give patients.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median medical administrative assistant salary is $37,190. Your exact salary will vary and jobs are available everywhere, but the areas with the highest paying jobs for Administrative Medical Assistants include California, Texas, Florida, and Arizona.

A Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) is a certification earned by those who have proven their expertise in efficiently and effectively running healthcare offices. This nationally recognized designation is something that many employers are searching for in one of the fastest-growing careers today. Upon earning this certification, you'll be able to confidently handle correspondence, answer calls, schedule appointments, operate computer systems, maintain files, update and maintain patient information, and create operation reports for any medical practice, essential duties for any administrative medical assistant.

The demand for Administrative Medical Assistants is high, and it is expected to grow 16 percent over the next several years according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This job growth will result mainly from an increasing elderly population as well as advances in healthcare and medical office technology.

An Administrative Medical Assistant manages all the front desk activities for a hospital, doctor's office, or other medical facility. This is an integral role in healthcare as it allows doctors and other medical staff to focus on caring for patients. In this role, you will need to have excellent customer service skills as you are often the first person that patients connect with at a medical facility. You will need to be able to multitask, deal with stress well, use computer systems, handle money, and communicate clearly and concisely. You'll master all these things and more!

As a medical admin, you will interact with patients every day. In fact, you'll often be the first person to greet patients as they enter the medical facility. You'll need the ability to stay calm under pressure, as well as have a friendly demeanor. You'll need to multitask as this is a position that requires you to juggle a lot of moving parts (answering phones, talking with patients, charting, computer systems, interacting with other office staff including doctors, etc.) You should have the ability to take initiative and be a self-starter. The most successful medical administrative assistants are also organized, dependable, and understand the importance of confidentiality.

The difference between an Administrative Medical Assistant and a Medical Assistant is that while both positions can and do perform clerical tasks, a Medical Assistant also can perform some clinical tasks such as helping with examinations, giving injections, and preparing specimens for lab tests.

Medical administrative assistants are found in nearly every medical office in the country. By earning your CMAA, you'll be prepared to work for clinics, private physician offices, hospitals, surgery centers, dentists, optometrists, chiropractors, and more. Professional medical offices need CMAAs to help keep their offices running smoothly as they treat patients.

Medical Billers and Coders work in a variety of settings. The most common settings include hospitals, doctors' offices, and insurance agencies. Some medical billing and coding professionals work for companies that develop medical software, and some work for education institutions that work to train other medical billers and coders. Government agencies have also been known to employ medial billers and coders including the National Center for Health Statistics and Medicaid offices. You may also have the ability to work for a reputable company from your own home.

A day in the life of a Medical Biller and Coder is a rewarding one. You are responsible for ensuring that healthcare providers receive appropriate compensation for the care they provide as well as helping patients get the maximum benefit of their insurance. It is a job that requires a high level of attention to detail at all times because codes must be correct to produce appropriate bills for services. Much of your time will be spent in front of a computer organizing statements, reviewing bills, and performing quality control. You also may be required to negotiate with insurance companies via phone on behalf of providers or patients. It's also important to coordinate with other coders to ensure accuracy and adherence to standards. Finally, you'll want to keep up on the latest developments and regulations in the industry through continuing education.

Medical billers are mainly responsible for submitting patient records to government agencies and insurance companies for services that have been provided in the care of the patient. Medical coders gather information on patient records and assign the proper codes for patient diagnosis which are then used by medical billers to submit claim forms.

Yes. There is a high demand for qualified medical billing and coding professionals in the healthcare industry today. Demand will increase as the population in the Unites States ages. Jobs for these professionals areexpected to grow at an average rate through 2032 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Our medical coding courses are self-paced and completed in 12 months or less. You will then have the option to prepare and sit for one of the following national certifications: 1) NHA's Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS), 2) AAPC's Certified Professional Coder (CPC), or 3) AHIMA's Certified Coding Associate (CCA). Once you are certified, you'll have the qualifications you need to find an entry-level job.

The path to a career in medical billing and coding typically starts with certification. There are different medical billing and coding certifications offered through certifying bodies, so it's important to choose which one is right for you. This course allows you to choose one of three national certifications to sit for upon completion.

To become a certified medical coder, you need to take an online training course that teaches you the CPT®, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II code sets. Most employers are looking for applicants to have a medical coding certification. After successfully completing this course, you will have the knowledge and skillset to become a medical coder and can sit for one of three national certification exams included in your tuition: 1) NHA's Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS), 2) AAPC's Certified Professional Coder (CPC), or 3) AHIMA's Certified Coding Associate (CCA).

Due to the more technical nature of the job and increased training required, medical coders do tend to make more than medical billers on an annual basis. Both medical billers and medical coders are in high demand. Medical billers earn a median salary of nearly $32,028. The salary of medical coder depends on a variety of different factors including certifications, specialties and experience, but the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) reports that their average salary is around $54,800.

Other than a handful of exceptions, medical billing and medical coding are two separate professions. You do not need a degree for either profession, but successful coders usually obtain certification. This course will fully prepare you for a career as either a medical biller or a medical coder, including recommended certification. Once you've completed your training, you will decide which area fits your personality and career goals best and move in that direction.

CPC, or Certified Professional Coder, is the primary medical coding credential offered by AAPC. AAPC's CPC certification is the gold standard in medical coding and represents world-class expertise that is highly sought and well-compensated by medical organizations across the country.

The CPC certification is the gold standard in medical coding and represents world-class expertise that is highly sought and well-compensated by medical organizations across the country.

After successfully completing this online course, you will receive a prepaid voucher to register for the CPC Exam and schedule your test date. Registration should be done three weeks prior to the exam date. After passing the CPC exam, you will have your CPC-A designation without 2 years of prior experience. Completion of the included CPC Practicode will qualify as 1 year of experience towards the full CPC designation. Completing this program also qualifies for 1 year of experience, thus completing both steps and passing the CPC exam will provide you with the full CPC designation and remove the Apprenticeship status.

The Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam is administered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). It is a common advanced credential for medical coders in physician office settings.

Once the CPC designation is achieved, your AAPC Membership (included) is required to be renewed annually and 36 Continuing Education Units (CEU's) must be submitted every two years for verification and authentication of expertise.

Medical billing and coding is hardly a career you can jump into and learn on the job. A medical biller and coder must understand the Healthcare Common procedure Coding System (HCPCS), as well as CPT Category II codes and ICD-10 codes. Training courses will teach you what these codes are, how to use them, and how to assign them in common medical billing and coding procedures.

CPCs make between $18 and $25 per hour, varying by location, experience, and additional credentialing.

AAPC, or the American Academy of Professional Coders, is an independent organization founded in 1988 to provide education and professional certification to medical coders. They have over 190,000 members and offers 28 certifications related to medical billing, medical coding, healthcare documentation and more.

The Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam is an entry-level certification provided through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). It indicates proficiency in medical coding in hospital and office settings.

CBCS stands for Certified Billing and Coding Specialist, and it is a designation earned from the nationally recognized National Healthcareer Association (NHA). With this credential, you'll gain billing and coding skills that are essential to various medical facilities including hospitals, surgery centers, physician offices, nursing homes, mental health facilities, home healthcare agencies, and dental offices. Earning your CBCS credential will prove to prospective employers that you have what it takes to work with patient information, prevent fraud and abuse, support coding and billing practices, submit claims, and help healthcare providers gain maximum reimbursement for services.

Yes. This course prepares you to sit for the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam, offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). You will receive a voucher for the exam after successfully completing the course coursework.

This course also prepares you for three other certifications: 1) Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) exam, offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), 2) Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam, offered by American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), and Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam, offered by AHIMA. You will receive a voucher for the certification exam of your choosing after successfully completing the course.

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course whenever you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

Yes, ed2go courses are completely online. However, keep in mind that not all certifying bodies or industry-specific certifications are recognized internationally. Please review your country’s regulations prior to enrolling in courses that prepare for certification.

After you register, you will receive 12 months to complete the course. The time allotted for completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours.

The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to help you work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

The course instructor will be available by email to answer any questions and provide feedback on your performance. Occasionally, your course may be supported by a team of industry experts. You will also receive support from the student advising team.

Upon successfully passing the final exam, you will be awarded a certificate of completion from the school or organization that you registered through.

ed2go courses will help you gain the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. However, you should always research the job market in your area before enrolling.

ed2go courses are non-credit, so they do not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA, and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards may provide funding to take our courses. Additionally, you may qualify for financial assistance if you meet certain requirements. Learn more about financial assistance.

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the “Contact Us.”

About Certification

National Healthcareer Association (NHA)

The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) has a single goal: to improve the quality of patient care in all medical settings. NHA believes that increasing the knowledge, skills, and competency of healthcare professionals will result in improved patient care as well as better efficiency in the healthcare industry. NHA provides a variety of certifications that work toward achieving this goal. The organization is a nationally-recognized and highly-respected healthcare certification provider.

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Certified Medical Administrative Assistant with Medical Billing and Coding (Vouchers Included)

George Mason University