Hello, as of right now Im studying medical billing and coding but decided to become a MA. I was in my medical terminology class and a female once told me that becoming a medical biller is a waste of time. Now im not only going to believe her answer but I will say that in the near future, I plan on moving outside of CA to FL or US virgin Islands. Ive done researched in both areas, and they have more openings for a medical assistant than a medical biller.

My question is I just started the medical billing course last sememster so the classes Ive taken so far is :


1. Medical office procedure
2. computer keyboarding 2
3. records and files
4. medical terminolgy
5. anatomy and physiology

Now this summer 2007, I was suppose to take a summer billing course, but Like i said, im going into the medical assistant route.

What are the ALL the classes for a MA to be certified??

In other words, how far am I from a medical assistant from taking these classes?

I need to figure out what classes i need to cram for this summer to catch up......

It would be really helpful for some feedback

Your Professional Title/Credentials: Student

Are You Still In School? yes

Are You Working? yes

Hello Natasha,
nice to hear you have chosen the medical assisting career. The biggest difference between medical billing and coding and medical assisting is that you will always be right where the action is---right in the mix of things in a medical office.

Medical billing is also a very interesting, and rewarding career, but it takes place away from the public, somewhere in a back office where hardly anybody will stop by.

Some like it hot, and some not! There is a place for everybody in the healthcare industry.

To help you with your question, I am going to refer you to the following website, or specifically, the following web page(s). Start here, then navigate through the links on the left:

The Medical Assistant
http://www.medicalassistant.net/what_is.htm

Every page will answer some of your questions, including what you should know to become a medical assistant.

Best wishes!!!!!

Danni R.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: Website Owner/Site Admin

4 classes are a good start, but there are usually quite a few more classes involved. You have lawðics, lab classes, office procedures, medical bookkeeping, as well as your clinicals.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: LPN

Are You Still In School? yes

Are You Working? yes

Tracy is right! Here is another way of breaking it down...



1. Anatomy and Physiology
(a) All the body systems
(b) Common pathology/diseases
(c) Diagnostic/treatment modalities



2. Medical Terminology
(a) Basic structure of medical words
(b) Word building and definitions
(c) Applications of medical terminology


3. Medical Law and Ethics
(a) Legal guidelines/requirements for healthcare providers
(b) Medical ethics and related issues
(c) Risk management


4. Psychology
(a) Basic principles
(b) Developmental stages of the life cycle
(c) Hereditary, cultural and environmental influences on behavior
(d) Mental health and applied psychology


5. Communication
(a) Principles of verbal and nonverbal communication
(b) Recognition and response to verbal and nonverbal communication
(c) Adaptations for individualized needs
(d) Applications of electronic technology
(e) Fundamental writing skills


6. Medical Assisting Administrative Procedures
(a) Basic medical office functions
(b) Keyboarding
(c) Transcription
(d) Bookkeeping and basic accounting
(e) Insurance and coding
(f) Facility management


7. Medical Assisting Clinical Procedures
(a) Asepsis and infection control
(b) Specimen collection and processing
(c) Diagnostic testing
(d) Patient care
(e) Pharmacology
(f) Medical emergencies
(g) Principles of radiology


8. Professional Components
(a) Personal attributes
(b) Job readiness
(c) Workplace dynamics
(d) Allied health professions and credentialing


9. Medical Assisting Externship
(a) A minimum of 160 contact hours
(b) Placement in an ambulatory healthcare setting

Your Professional Title/Credentials: Website Owner/Site Admin

Thanks everyone for the info!

Your Professional Title/Credentials: Student

Are You Still In School? yes

Are You Working? yes