1st December 2021 Filed under: Medical Assistant, Vocational Training Programs Show
 If you’re thinking about making a career move into the medical industry, two popular career tracks are medical billing and medical administrative assistant. And while each path is similar, at the same time, they are pretty different. Both career paths combine working with medical records and the use of computers. Both jobs require a high school diploma or GED, and both provide competitive salaries and excellent growth potential. If you’re trying to decide between two such similar career paths, here are some differences in each to empower you to make a more informed decision. Medical Billing And Coding Medical billing involves reviewing patient charts for medical procedures and services, then filing insurance claims on their behalf. Medical billing and coding professionals also review coding and classification systems, making sure claims are appropriately submitted. Medical Admin Assistant And Billing A medical administrative assistant focuses more on healthcare’s clinical aspects, such as distributing medications and scheduling patient appointments. However, the job also includes interacting with patients and other providers to coordinate care and ensure their needs get met. The difference between a medical billing and coding job and a medical administrative assistant job is primarily due to the higher levels of responsibility. For example, a medical administrative assistant does not need to make a diagnosis or treatment recommendation – they coordinate all aspects of a patient’s care. Medical Billing And Coding Salary The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that medical billers and coders earn an average of $34,000 per year. Potential employers for people with medical billing and coding certification could include hospitals, medical clinics, physician offices, diagnostic and treatment centers, public health clinics, and insurance companies. Medical Administrative Assistant Salary Salary for medical administrative assistants is lower than that of billing and coding professionals – an average of $26,000 a year. The areas where a medical administrative assistant might find employment include hospitals, clinics, doctor’s offices, insurance companies, and other similar settings. Medical Billing And Coding Career Outlook According to the BLS, the demand for medical billers and coders will increase by 21% from 2012 to 2022. The highest employment opportunities are forecast to be in physicians’ offices and outpatient care centers, where a growing number of physicians will require the services of medical billers and coders. Medical Administrative Assistant Career Outlook The BLS reports that demand for medical administrative assistants could increase by 23% from 2012 to 2022. This figure is equivalent to about as fast as the national average for all occupations. Employment growth will stem from increased needs by an aging population and the increasing number of Americans with high-deductible health plans, which are required to make more cost-conscious healthcare decisions. Medical Billing And Coding Vs. Medical Administrative Assistant Both fields are excellent career paths to consider. Still, if you’re trying to decide between becoming a medical administrative assistant or a medical biller, both are promising career paths. Whichever you choose, MBS Careers offers comprehensive programs to help you move ahead professionally. If you are ready to pursue a rewarding career in healthcare, you will need to decide which type of medical career is the best choice for you. Two popular choices are Medical Administrative Assisting and Medical Billing/Coding. At National American University, we train students just like you for successful careers in both of these rewarding fields. Before you decide which Allied Healthcare career is right for you, read more about these specialized medical careers, and then make an informed decision for yourself. Medical Administrative Assistants and Medical Biller/Coders are both allied healthcare careers, and are trained medical personnel. These professionals are integral parts of medical care teams. Working with and alongside doctors, these medical professionals perform vital tasks, freeing up doctors’ and nurses’ time. These two positions are responsible for different tasks, however. What Does a Medical Administrative Assistant Do?Medical Administrative Assistants are responsible for a medical office’s administrative tasks and are the professionals who keep the healthcare system running smoothly. The Medical Administrative Assistant’s job is challenging, but also highly rewarding. Some typical duties of a Medical Administrative Assistant include greeting patients, answering telephones, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, arranging for hospital admission and laboratory services, updating and filing patients’ medical records, filling out insurance forms, and handling billing and bookkeeping. Another important role of the Medical Administrative Assistant is to act as a liaison, or coordinator, between the medical staff and the patient. Medical Assistants are often responsible for explaining to the patient any upcoming procedure, answering patient questions about medical procedures, and relating information both to and from the attending doctor. For this reason, good communication and interpersonal skills are absolutely vital for Medical Assistants. Medical Administrative Assistants should also be very organized, have the ability to multitask, and be able to work both independently and as part of a team. Medical Administrative Assistant Degree ProgramsMedical administrative assisting typically requires an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. NAU’s Medical Administrative Assistant program prepares students for this career through a completely online course format. Courses include Medical Law & Ethics, Medical Record Management, and Healthcare Coding. Graduates of NAU’s program are thoroughly prepared to test for the industry-recognized Medical Assistant National Certification by the NCCT. To learn more about this program, visit the Medical Administrative Assistant program page. What Does a Medical Biller and Coder Do?Medical Biller/Coders, on the other hand, are also a critical part of the medical team, but have different responsibilities and tasks. Medical Biller/Coders are responsible for ensuring the medical provider or practice is compensated for their services. Every medical procedure, injury, illness, and diagnosis has a corresponding medical code. Medical Coders assign the designated codes to each individual patient service and diagnosis, and Medical Billers use those codes to request payment from the patient’s insurance company. These Medical Office Specialists perform vital administrative healthcare tasks, freeing doctors and other medical staff to provide direct care to patients. Medical Billing and Coding Training ProgramsWhile medical administrative assistants often have a degree, medical billing and coding professionals can earn a certificate or diploma. The online Medical Biller/Coder program at National American University trains students in the skills they need to enter into a variety of entry-level positions in this rewarding healthcare field. NAU students learn comprehensive medical coding and billing procedures, current medical software and trends in the insurance industry. Students learn medical terminology, medical billing software, and how to prepare and file insurance claims and analyze benefits. Graduates are prepared to pursue certification through national professional associations, such as the American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC) or the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). If you are interested in a truly rewarding medical career you can be proud of, then call NAU call us at (855) 448-2318. Our friendly and helpful Admissions Representatives are waiting to tell you more about NAU and our online programs and can help you begin the enrollment process. Don’t put your future on hold any longer, make your goals a reality with NAU! What's the difference between medical assistant and medical administrative assistant?Medical assistants may have more interaction with the healthcare providers, such as when relaying vital signs or sharing information the patient provided during intake. Medical administrative assistants may have more interaction with other medical staff, such as an office manager or another clinical medical assistant.
What does a medical Administrative Assistant do?Main duties
Schedule and confirm medical appointments and receive and communicate messages for medical staff and patients. Enter and format electronically based medical reports and correspondence and prepare spreadsheets and documents for review. Interview patients in order to complete forms, documents and case ...
Do medical administrative assistants wear scrubs?Do medical administrative assistants wear scrubs? Every clinic or hospital has its own dress code, so there is no standard rule. Some require all their staff to wear scrubs, while some only require scrubs for those working directly with patients.
How much do medical administrative assistants make an hour in California?Salaries by years of experience in California. |
Medical administrative assistant with billing and coding salary
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