Program Overview
This online program provides comprehensive training in medical office administration and medical billing and coding. You will learn patient flow management, appointment scheduling, insurance eligibility verification, medical coding, and other essential front-office responsibilities.
You will also learn legal, ethical, and regulatory concepts central to the field, including HIPAA compliance and third-party guidelines for filing insurance claims.
Your enrollment includes a voucher for the NHA Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam, plus your choice of a billing & coding credential voucher: CPC (AAPC), CCA (AHIMA), or CBCS (NHA).
Ready to get started?
- Train for CMAA + billing & coding credential
- Learn HIPAA and claims best practices
- Vouchers included (eligibility applies)
Job Outlook for Medical Administrative Assistants and Medical Billing & Coders
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 14% by 2032. On average, about 114,600 job openings for medical assistants are projected each year, with a median annual wage of $42,000 (May 2023).
The BLS also reports that the median annual salary for medical records specialists was $48,780 (May 2023), with employment projected to grow 8% by 2032 and approximately 15,000 openings per year on average.
Course Objectives
Medical Billing & Coding
- Learn medical coding terminology, including word parts and the structures and functions of the human body
- Understand disorders and procedures common to each body system
- Apply legal, ethical, and regulatory concepts, including HIPAA compliance and third-party claim guidelines
- Use main coding manuals: ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, CPT, and HCPCS Level II
- Code diagnoses, services, and procedures across body systems
- Learn fundamentals of medical billing & coding and medical terminology
Medical Administrative Assistant
- Build skills required to succeed as a medical administrative assistant
- Practice multitasking: scheduling, insurance requests, maintaining records, and patient correspondence
- Learn best financial practices for a medical center
- Apply ethical best practices and professional traits needed in healthcare settings
- Work with medical documents and understand billing & coding processes
- Recognize the importance of professional certification
Prerequisites and Certification Requirements
There are no prerequisites to take these courses.
To sit for a national certification exam, candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
- AAPC and NHA exams are available online to candidates located in the U.S.
- AHIMA offers in-person exams in the U.S. and globally.
Instructors
Stacey O'Brien
Stacey O'Brien has more than 10 years of experience in medical coding and reimbursement. She has been a risk adjustment coder for a Medicare Advantage plan, audited medical records for a consulting firm, and currently supervises coding and electronic claims submission for a group medical practice. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a CPC coding certification from AAPC.
Sharon L. Blackford
Sharon L. Blackford, MA, BA, RMA, has over 30 years of experience in the medical field. She holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in management, has been a Registered Medical Assistant since 1994, and served as an active duty Clinical Specialist in the U.S. Army for 10 years. She later held leadership roles including Director of Education and Campus Director.
Carline Dalgleish
Carline Dalgleish has worked in medical office administration for over 30 years. She holds degrees in Business Information Systems and 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, and owns AnnGrant Educational Services.
Nancy Smith
Nancy Smith has over 30 years of experience in healthcare, including roles as a medical assistant, medical coder, insurance claims specialist, medical records auditor, and medical office manager. She recruited and trained medical assistants for ten years and holds a bachelor’s degree in vocational education. She has developed and taught medical assistant programs.
LaTisha Cottingham
LaTisha Cottingham has over 20 years of experience in healthcare and six years teaching medical billing and coding and medical assisting. She is an HIM Analyst and has served as a lead instructor. Her certifications include RHIT, CPC, and CCMA, and she is an AHIMA ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer. She is also a member of AHIMA, AAPC, and NHA and serves as a test proctor.
Lydia S. Stewart
Lydia S. Stewart, RN, BSN, serves as a Revenue Cycle Manager at a large regional medical center. She has been a Registered Nurse for 23 years with 15 years specializing in critical care nursing and supervision, and she is responsible for audits, charge capture, and compliance reviews. She is a member of LMAA and HFMA.
Bunny Reeves
Bunny Reeves is the senior ambulatory surgery coder at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY. She trains student coders and previously trained and supervised entry-level coders at Staten Island’s St. Vincent Medical Center. Reeves is a Certified Coding Specialist (AHIMA).
Hilary Khouri
Hilary Khouri has ten years of medical experience, including front-office administration and healthcare consulting work reviewing EHR documentation and provider education, plus risk adjustment coding. She holds a bachelor’s degree and is a Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS).
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.
CMAA and Medical Billing & Coding FAQs
According to NHA, medical administrative assistants primarily work in the “front office” of a medical practice or healthcare facility. Duties may include coordinating practice correspondence, maintaining files, and scheduling appointments.
Medical billing and coding professionals process patient data, including medical records and related insurance. They code diagnoses and request payment from insurance companies, helping ensure providers are paid accurately and promptly.
Medical assistant certification may be required for many jobs. Earning a CMAA establishes a medical assistant as a caring, responsible professional who has completed study and assessment to validate credentials.
Medical assistants commonly work in medical practices such as physicians’ offices, outpatient clinics, and other healthcare facilities (BLS).
These are two distinct skill sets used within healthcare settings. Responsibilities may overlap: medical assistants may also handle billing/coding, and billing/coding specialists may have combined titles with medical administrative designations.
Matching office administration skills with medical billing and coding expands opportunities in general healthcare administration and specialized medical services.
Entry-level roles typically require completion of a certificate and passing a certification exam (or an associate degree). Professionals must also understand HIPAA.
CPC (AAPC) is a gold-standard entry-level coding credential for physician/professional fee coding. CCA (AHIMA) is an entry-level coding credential across settings, including physician practices and inpatient hospitals. CBCS (NHA) is an entry-level billing & coding credential including ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS Level II.
