Medical Office Administration and Medical Coding

Medical Office Administration
A.A.S./Certificate/Diploma

Medical Office Administration and Medical Coding

Healthcare is one of the biggest and fastest growing industries in the nation.

Medical Office Administration Overview

Federal health legislation has expanded the number of patients who have access to health insurance, increasing patient access to medical care. In addition, the aging population has increased the demand for medical services. As a result, the medical office administration field has excellent employment opportunities.

The Medical Office Administration curriculum prepares individuals for employment as medical administrative personnel in the areas of the medical office, medical billing and coding, dental office patient services, and medical information.

Coursework includes medical terminology, computer applications, medical office management, medical coding, medical insurance, and billing, medical-legal and ethical issues, oral and written communication, and other topics depending on the subject area selected within this curriculum.

Graduates should qualify for employment opportunities in a variety of medical office positions in medical and dental offices, hospitals, insurance companies, laboratories, medical supply companies, and other healthcare-related organizations. Upon graduation, students may be eligible to sit for industry-recognized certification exams.

 

Medical Coding Overview

Are you interested in the medical field? Do you like working with computers? If so, you might want to consider a career in medical coding. Medical coding is a specialized skill that involves converting patient medical records into codes for billing purposes. Doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers use codes to bill insurance companies for diagnoses, services, and procedures rendered.

Medical coders need to be detail-oriented and have good computer skills. The average salary of a medical coder with some experience is $34,000 a year. However, you can increase your salary options by becoming certified. According to the AAPC, certified medical coders earn at least 21 percent more than non-certified coders.

 

Programs

Title Credential Credit Hours Link to program details
Medical Office Administration A.A.S. Degree 69 ‌‌
Medical Office Administration Diploma Diploma 45 ‌‌
Medical Office Administration Medical Coding Certificate Certificate 18 ‌‌

Good to Know

  • Advent Health, Hendersonville
  • All-States Medical Supply
  • Asheville Cardiology Associates
  • Asheville Surgical Center
  • Asheville Eye
  • Asheville Orthopedics Associates
  • Best Bites Dental for Children, Hendersonville
  • Buncombe County Health Department
  • Carolina Spine & Neurosurgery
  • Charles George VA Medical Center
  • Deerfield Retirement Community
  • EmergeOrtho:  Blue Ridge Division
  • Genova Diagnostics: Home
  • Givens Estate
  • MAHEC
  • Mission Hospital
  • Mission My Care Now
  • Moore Foot and Ankle Specialists, PA
  • Next Step Recovery
  • Pardee Hospital
  • Pardee Urgent Care
  • Women's Hope Center

Delane Davis
Instructor/Coordinator
Medical Office Administration

Misty Shuler, RHIA
Chair Administrative & Medical Systems Technologies

Gwenn Stinnett, M.Ed, CPC, CPB, CRC, CPC-I
Instructor, AMST
Administrative & Medical Systems Technologies

  1. There is a high demand for medical coders.
    According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for medical coders will grow at a rate of 22 percent through the year 2022. One reason for the high demand is because of the new changes taking place in the industry. On October 1, 2015, the healthcare and insurance industries were required to transition to ICD-10-CM & ICD-10 PCS. The new change drastically increased the demand for skilled medical coders. The implementation of the Affordable Healthcare Act has also played a role in the increased demand for medical coders.
  2. Education can be completed in less than one year.
    A lengthy college degree is not required to become a qualified medical coder. A-B Tech’s medical coding program can be completed in under a year in most cases. Once you complete our introductory medical coding training program, with further study, you will be able to take national exams to become certified.
  3. You Can Work from Home.
    Many medical coders work in hospitals, doctor’s offices, and surgery centers. However, with experience, there are opportunities to work from home as a medical coder. You can start your own business as an independent medical coder or obtain a telecommuting position with a healthcare provider, a coding service, or a medical insurance agency.
  4. Certifications don’t differ from state to state.
    Medical coding associations like the AHIMA and AAPC offer national certifications, including the CPC (Certified Professional Coder) and CCS (Certified Coding Specialist). This means you don’t have to re-certify if you move to another state.
  5. Advancement Opportunities.
    There are definitely opportunities to advance in the medical coding field. Experienced medical coders can pursue positions as auditors, health information managers, or coding supervisors. You will also have opportunities to advance by obtaining additional specialty certifications, or by obtaining a college degree in health information management.

With the high demand for medical coders, job flexibility, and opportunities for advancement, there is no doubt that medical coding is a smart career choice.

Misty Shuler
Chair, Medical Office Administration