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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.

Administrative medical assistants are skilled multitaskers who direct the flow of patients through an office. Effective patient flow allows the practice to operate efficiently, increase revenue, and provide a positive experience for the patient. Their duties include maintaining the reception area, welcoming patients and visitors, scheduling appointments, gathering demographic information, verifying insurance eligibility, obtaining prior authorizations, collecting copayments, and communicating via the phone and patient portal. This online medical assistant course will prepare you for positions working alongside medical providers performing these administrative duties. The course also includes an opportunity to participate in clinical experience.

Disclaimer: To qualify for the clinical experience applications process, students must successfully complete the online course and have account balances up to date (at a minimum). Going through the clinical experience application process does not guarantee a placement. However, affiliated partnerships increase the likelihood of finding a site that matches student needs. COVID may be affecting the capacity of availability in your area. Students can begin researching the steps of the application process 2 weeks prior to completing courses.

Medical billers and coders are also in high demand—making online medical billing and coding certification programs a worthwhile investment. In addition to providing the knowledge and skills you will need to become a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA), the online medical billing and coding program component also offers valuable training in legal, ethical, and regulatory concepts central to this field, including HIPAA compliance, official coding guidelines, and third-party payer requirements. You will understand all phases of the revenue cycle—from patient registration through medical coding, claims submission, reimbursement, and collections. You will also learn medical terminology as you study word parts and the structures and functions of the human body. Also presented are the disorders and medical procedures common to each body system, including musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, nervous, endocrine, integumentary, genitourinary, lymphatic, and immune.

Upon completing this course, you should be well prepared to find your place in this rewarding healthcare career. You will be prepared for the CMAA national certification exam offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and receive a voucher that covers the exam fee. 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. These exam vouchers include:

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)
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.

Course Details


What you will learn

•    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

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


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

  • Medical Assisting Foundations
  • Professional Behavior
  • Legal and Ethical Issues
  • The Art of Communicating
  • Telecommunications, Telephone Professionalism, and Telephone Techniques
  • Written Communications
  • Medical Office Environment
  • Patient Scheduling
  • Managing Medical Records

Introduction to Health Insurance

  • Medical Coding: An Overview
  • Patient Accounts
  • Insurance Claims, Patient Billing, and Collections
  • Daily Financial Practices
  • Managing the Office
  • Pharmacology
  • Certification
  • Preparing for Your Career
  • Medical Billing and Coding

Introduction to Medical Billing and Coding

  •  Career Opportunities
  •  Personal and Technical Qualifications
  •  Employment Settings
  • Telecommunications
  • Professional Certifications
  • Introduction to Health Insurance
  • Health Insurance Terminology
  • Commercial and Government Payers
  •  Healthcare Documentation
  •  Electronic Health Record

Managed Healthcare

  • Types of Reimbursement
  • Managed Care Providers
  • Managed Care Models
  • Consumer-Directed Health Plans

Revenue Cycle Management

  • Phases of Revenue Cycle Management
  • Encounter Form, Chargemaster
  • Insurance Claim Cycle
  • New Patient Registration
  • Collection Practices

Legal Aspects of Health Insurance and Reimbursement

  • Laws Affecting Healthcare
  • Protected Health Information
  • Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
  • Fraud and Abuse in Medical Billing and Coding
  • Release of Information

ICD-10-CM Coding

  • Overview of ICD-10-CM
  • Key Features
  • Organization of the Codebook
  • Index to Diseases and Injuries
  • Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries
  • Coding Conventions
  • Official Guidelines


CPT Coding

  • Overview of Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS)
  • Category I, Category II, and Category III Codes
  • Organization of the Codebook
  • Main CPT Sections
  • Evaluation and Management
  • Anesthesia
  • Surgery
  • Radiology
  • Pathology and Laboratory
  • Medicine
  • Code Modifiers

HCPCS Level II Coding

  • Overview of HCPCS Level II
  • Organization of the Codebook
  • Durable Medical Equipment

ICD-10-PCS Coding

  • Overview of ICD-10-PCS
  • Code Structure
  • Definitions
  • Index
  • Code Tables
  • Coding Steps

Pharmacology for Coders

  • Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics
  • Routes of Administration
  • Drug Classifications
  • Prescription Drugs and Over-the-Counter Drugs
  • Controlled Substances
  • Medication Lists and the Electronic Health Record

MIDTERM

Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI)

  • Deficiencies in Documentation
  • Medical Necessity
  • Auditing
  • Coding From Patient Documentation

Insurance Claims

  • National Uniform Claim Committee
  • CMS-1500 Claim Form
  • Patient and Insured Information
  • Physician or Supplier Information
  • UB-04 Claim Form

Commercial Insurance

  • Individual/Group Health Insurance, Automobile, Disability, Liability, Workers' Compensation
  • Completing Commercial Health Insurance Claims

Blue Cross Blue Shield

  • History of BCBS
  • Types of BCBS Plans
  • Participating/Nonparticipating Providers
  • BCBS Billing and Payment Guidelines

Medicare

  • Medicare Eligibility
  • Medicare Part A, B, C, and D
  • National Coverage Determinations/Local Coverage Determinations
  • Participating/Nonparticipating Providers
  • Physician Fee Schedule
  • Medicare Billing and Payment Guidelines/NCCI

Medicaid, CHIP, TRICARE, Workers' Compensation

  • Medicaid
  • Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
  • TRICARE
  • Workers' Compensation

Certification

  • Selecting the Right Certification
  • Study Strategies for the Certification Exam
  • Prior to the Exam
  • Morning of the Exam
  • During the Exam

How to Find a Job in Medical Billing and Coding

  • Formulating Your Career Goals
  • What Employers Want
  • Showcasing Your Skills
  • Resume Tips
  • Cover Letter Tips
  • Interview Questions

FINAL
 


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. 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.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

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

Software Requirements:

PC: Windows 10 or later.
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 will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment in Medical Terminology:
Merriam-Webster's Medical Desk Dictionary
The following digital textbook for the Medical Terminology course are accessed via links in the lessons:
Medical Terminology for Health Professions (eBook)
The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment in Certified Medical Administrative Assistant:
Medical Assisting: Administrative & Clinical Competencies, by Michelle Blesi
Workbook to Accompany Medical Assisting: Administrative & Clinical Competencies, by Michelle Blesi

The following digital textbooks for this course are accessed via links in the Medical Billing and Coding course lessons:

Understanding Health Insurance: A Guide to Billing and Reimbursement
Accompanying Workbook: Understanding Health Insurance: A Guide to Billing and Reimbursement

The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment in Medical Billing and Coding:
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.

About Certification

American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)
The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) is one of the world's most recognized institutions for professional medical coders, with more than 175,000 members. The AAPC offers more than 30 certifications that include medical billing and coding, compliance, and management, among other topics. These certifications are an excellent way to prove you have a working knowledge of specific aspects of healthcare, and the skills you need to practice in the field. All AAPC certifications share a common goal: help everyone from beginners to experienced professionals advance their careers and contribute positively to the industry.
American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) is an organization dedicated to the professional development of those in the health information management industry. AHIMA has been on the cutting edge of data analytics and informatics since its founding in 1928. Today it is the leading association in the field, with more than 103,000 members. AHIMA provides the latest resources for health information professionals and helps them advance their skills and knowledge through its globally recognized certifications. A credential from AHIMA is one of the best you can get in the health information industry.
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.


Financial assistance information can be found on Rice Financial Aid's Visiting and Continuing Education Students page.
The estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) is $XX.

Registrations are considered final as of 10 working days before class starts. No refunds will be issued after these dates and credits will not be given for future classes. No refunds will be granted for participants who miss a portion of a program. Refund requests before the deadline are subject to a 10% processing fee and must be made in writing to gscs@rice.edu


What is the salary for a medical biller and coder?

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.

What is the demand for Administrative Medical assistants?

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.

What is the difference between an Administrative Medical Assistant & a Medical Assistant?

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.

What is the difference between a Medical Biller and a Medical Coder?

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.

How long do you have to go to school to become a Medical Coder?  

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.

How do I become a Medical Coder without experience?  

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.

Does this course prepare you for certification?

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.
Online certification exams through NHA and AAPC are offered in the US only.

What is CPC?

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.

How long does it take to complete this course?

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.

What if I don’t have enough time to complete the course within the time frame provided?   

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 see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

Am I guaranteed a job?

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.

 

 

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