What is Medical Office Administration?
Medical Office Administration is one of the fastest growing occupations and offers a career with excellent earning potential, advancement possiblities, and personal satisfaction. As the demand for patient care continues to grow, health care providers need well-trained administrative professionals to run the medical office, ensuring the business aspect of the health care facility is functioning smoothly and efficiently. While these professionals must possess the same clerical skills required of any office specialist (computer/technology, communication, reception, organization), they also require a thorough understanding of the administrative complexities unique to the health care industry; this includes medical ethics, medical law, medical billing and reimbursement, and compliance with federal regulations. In addition, they are often the first person to greet patients and therefore must be friendly and helpful. In this role, the medical office specialist helps build the credibility of provider and fosters loyalty and trust from the patient. Duties depend on the size of the practice or facility. Medical office specialists in a smaller office may perform all the office duties, such as reception, patient record keeping, accounting, billing and coding. Those working at a larger facility are more likely to work in a particular department, such as accounting, medical claims, reception, or medical coding.

Medical Office Administration Career Opportunities
Medical office administration professionals are employed by doctors, hospitals, clinics, local and state health departments, group medical practices, medical research departments, and by other health care practitioners. Medical office administration is an umbrella term that includes professionals who hold a variety of job titles.

Preparing for a Medical Office Administration Career
Medical office administration candidates should prepare to enter the medical field with the skills and knowledge needed to be effective in today's modern medical environment. A Medical Administrative Specialist must have a high school diploma or G.E.D. with acceptable training. Many colleges, career schools and technical schools offer Medical Administrative Assistant, Medical Office Assistant, or Medical Office Specialist programs. Graduates from these programs will receive either a certificate/diploma or Associate Degree depending on the program. Graduation from a school that is accredited makes it easier to apply for certification. Students learn skills such as business communications, medical office administration, keyboarding and computer applications, medical terminology, medical transcription, medical insurance procedures, medical coding and computerized medical billing.

Medical Office Administration Certification & Licensure
Each individual state decides the scope of practice for Medical Administrative Specialists. Most states do not have licensure laws, but many states do have a scope of practice for Medical Administrative Specialists or Medical Assistants. Certification by a recognized organization, such as the American Medical Technologists (AMT), enables Medical Administrative Specialists to be promoted faster, earn a higher pay and great respect. Employers prefer to hire experienced workers and many prefer certified applicants who have passed a national examination, indicating that the Medical Administrative Specialist meets certain standards of competence.

Medical Office Administration Career Outlook and Salary
Medical Office Specialists enjoy excellent job opportunities as the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects much faster than average growth through 2018. For 2008 to 2018, the US BLS projects 125,500 more jobs, which is an increase of 27%. Payrate depends on position, employer, region, industry, experience, and specialization. Salary potential can be increased through certification, by advancing to a manager position, or by gaining specialized skills and certifications, such as a medical coding certification.

Career Advancement Options
Medical office managers must have sufficient education, work experience and skills to independently run an entire medical office for a physician, dentist or other private health care practitioner. They often supervise other medical office workers and direct the communications necessary for efficient services. By meeting education and experience requirements, professionals can pursue certifications from either the Professional Association of Health Care Office Management (PAHCOM) or the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM).

Healthcare managers and administrators plan, direct, coordinate, and supervise the delivery of health care. They are either specialists in charge of a specific clinical department or generalists who manage an entire facility or system. Healthcare managers/administrators are typically required to have a degree in healthcare management and prior work experience.

Medical coders learn and use standardized condition, treatment and laboratory codes so that health care staff can all speak the same language and claims can be filed properly. The best opportunities and salaries are available to certified coders. Medical coders can continue to advance within medical coding through additional job experience and advanced certification. They can also pursue a broader range of jobs in the exploding field of health information.

Medical Office Administration - Diploma
The Diploma in Medical Office Administration online program is comprised solely of the core courses required for individuals seeking entry-level employment in the field of Health Care Administration. At 39 credits, the diploma takes approximately 12-16 months to complete. Career opportunities for Diploma graduates include Medical Office Specialist, Medical Administrative Assistant, Medical Records Clerk, Medical Secretary, and Admitting Clerk.

Medical Office Administration - Associate of Science
The Associate of Science in Medical Office Administration online degree program builds upon the core courses of Medical Office Administration Diploma program online by incorporating the general education requirements required for this level of degree. The Associate is 60 credits and can be completed in 16-24 months. Careers for graduates of the Associate Degree program are similar to the diploma, however Associate Degree graduates will have greater bargaining potential when seeking employment and promotional opportunities within the Health Care Administration field.

• Medical Billing and Insurance Coding - AS
• Medical Billing and Insurance Coding - Diploma
• Health Care Management - BS
• Health Information Management - BS

Medical Office Management - Associate of Applied Science
The Associate of Applied Science in Medical Office Management degree is designed to help you qualify for the position of medical administrative specialist, which includes medical records management, insurance processing, coding and billing, management of practice finances, information processing, and fundamental office management tasks. Career opportunities may exist in doctors' offices, medical facilities, hospitals, insurance offices, pharmaceutical companies, and labs. Certification is an important qualification often required by employers. As a graduate, you may be eligible to take medical office management certification exams, such as the Certified Medical Administrative Specialist (CMAS) examination given by the American Medical Technologists.

Kaplan University also offers:

• Healthcare Administration - BS
• Health Information Management - BS
• Health Information Technology - AAS
• Medical Transcription - AAS

Medical Administration - Associate of Applied Science
The Medical Administration degree prepares you for multiple challenges you will encounter in the office including coding, understanding medical terminology, recognizing medical law and ethics, learning proper medical insurance and billing procedures and success strategies in the office. In the Medical Administration program, you will study core courses to develop communication, critical thinking and decision making skills. Students will also have the opportunity to take specialty courses including Medical Transcription, Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Office Procedures, and computer courses.

Medical Office Assistant - Certificate
This program trains students to perform medical administrative front office duties that are vital in today's healthcare field. It develops fundamental skills such as phone reception, word processing, medical record filing, appointment scheduling, light bookkeeping, and proficiency in medical practice software functions. Employment opportunities include all physicians' offices, clinics, med-checks, and virtually any healthcare setting.

• Medical Reimbursement Technology - AAS

Medical Administrative Assistant (Office & Billing) - Associate of Applied Science
The Medical Administrative Assistant program is designed to prepare individuals for careers as entry level medical administrative assistants for diverse health care delivery systems including private medical practices, clinics, public health departments, insurance agencies, government agencies, or out-patient departments of hospitals. The program offers a foundation in keyboarding, document processing, and integrated office systems software programs with specialized training in medical billing, billing and coding, medical transcription, medical records, and modern medical office procedures. Graduates of the Medical Administrative Assistant associate degree program are prepared for entry-level employment in private medical practices, outpatient departments, clinics, or governmental institutions. Graduates of the Medical Administrative Program are encouraged to take the CMRS certification examination which is offered by the American Billing Association (AMBA). Students can prepare for the national test through the Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS) boot camp that is offered along with this degree.

• Health Services Administration - BS
• Medical Reimbursement - Certificate
• Medical Reimbursement and Coding - AAS
• Medical Reimbursement and Coding (Physician Track) - Certificate

Health Services Administration - Associate of Arts
Keiser University's Associate of Arts degree in Health Service Administration provides instruction in basic health services administration skills. Students use laptop computers to learn computer skills and software applications necessary to prosper in a healthcare business environment. The program prepares students in both business and health service administration, providing courses on business law, management and marketing principles, medical anatomy, physiology and terminology and front office management.

Health Services Administration - Bachelor of Arts
Health services managers deal with evolving integrated health care delivery systems, technological innovations and a complex regulatory environment. The BA degree with a major in Health Services Administration focuses on skills needed in today's health care industry. In addition to providing a basic understanding of Health Services, the program looks at the unique skills needed by a Health Service Administrator through case studies, projects and related computer software applications. Topics include Coding and Billing, Public and Private Heath Care, and Financial and Legal Issues in Health Care.

• Medical Administrative Assistant - Diploma

• Medical Office Administration - Diploma or AAS Degree

• Medical Office Specialist - Diploma
• Medical Practice Management - AAS Degree

• Medical Administrative Assistant - Diploma

• Medical Administrative Assistant - Diploma

• Medical Office Specialist - Diploma
• Medical Practice Management - AAS Degree

• Medical Administrative Assistant - Diploma

• Medical Office Administration - Diploma or AAS Degree

• Medical Office Management - Diploma

• Medical Administrative Assistant - Diploma

• Medical Office Management - Associate of Science Degree
• Medical Practice Management - AAS Degree

• Medical Administrative Assistant - Diploma

• Medical Office Specialist - Diploma
• Medical Office Administration - AAS

• Medical Office Management - Associate of Applied Science Degree

• Medical Administrative Assistant - Diploma

• Medical Administrative Assistant - Diploma

• Medical Administrative Assistant - Diploma

• Medical Administrative Assistant - Diploma

• Medical Administrative Assistant - Diploma

• Medical Practice Management - AAS Degree

• Medical Office Administration - Diploma or AAS Degree

• Medical Administrative Assistant - Diploma

• Medical Administrative Assistant - Diploma

• Medical Office Specialist - Diploma
• Medical Practice Management - AAS Degree

• Medical Administrative Assistant - Diploma

• Medical Administrative Assistant - Diploma

• Medical Administrative Assistant - Diploma

• Medical Administrative Assistant - Diploma

• Medical Office Specialist - Diploma