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Online Medical Office and Billing Specialist Programs

Train for a growing field from home.1

a medical office and billing specialist smiling while sitting at a desk and wearing a headset after completing a training program

Get started toward a growing career path and prepare for certification.1

Rolling admissions. Classes start every 2-3 weeks.

Learn How We Can Help You Succeed

What is a Medical Office and Billing Specialist?

A medical office and billing specialist is a healthcare professional who performs administrative tasks, insurance billing, and basic medical coding for medical facilities. This may involve working with patients face-to-face in non-care situations. UMA’s curriculum balances theoretical knowledge with practical skills, all from the comfort of your home. With UMA, you’re not just earning a qualification; you’re stepping into a future where your organizational talents may play a crucial role in the efficient operation of healthcare facilities.

Ultimate Medical Academy offers online medical office and billing specialist programs to prepare learners for entry-level allied healthcare roles.

The Medical Office and Billing Specialist Diploma program can be finished in 11 months or more,2 while the Health Sciences – Medical Office and Billing Specialist Associate of Science / Associate of Applied Science Degree program can be completed in 18 months or more.2

Both programs include certification preparation3, flexible online learning,4 and career support to help you pursue roles in medical billing, medical coding, and healthcare office administration.

Choose your Medical Office and Billing Specialist online education path

Medical Office and Billing Specialist Diploma Program

11 months2

Prepares you for the field-specific skills needed to pursue entry-level roles. Includes certification preparation.

Health Sciences – Medical Office and Billing Specialist Associate of Science / Associate of Applied Science Degree Program

18 months2

Includes soft skills that potential employers may be looking for, plus field-specific knowledge. Includes certification preparation.

a student studying in preparation for a certification exam

Certification Prep

Prepare to sit for the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) exam.3

While graduates will be prepared to take an applicable certification examination to enhance their employment prospects, they are not required to sit for this examination.

a medical office and billing specialist sitting in front of computer and smiling with one hand on a mouse and wearing a headset

Working as a Medical Office and Billing Specialist

When you enroll as an online Medical Office and Billing Specialist student at UMA, you'll learn how the insurance billing process works, how to assign diagnostic medical codes, perform basic medical office duties, and more. Best of all, you graduate prepared for an entry-level position as a medical office and billing specialist.

While employment in the field of secretaries and administrative assistants is experiencing a 1% increase, the medical secretary and administrative assistant field is projected to grow 5% from 2023 to 2033. This field is projected to have 41,300 job openings over that decade.1

UMA graduates in this program have found entry-level work in the following environments:

  • Doctors' offices
  • Hospitals
  • Outpatient clinics
  • Insurance call centers
  • Remote healthcare services

They’ve also found roles that include:

  • Customer Service Representative
  • Medical Office Assistant / Medical Receptionist
  • Insurance Benefits Specialist
  • Medical Biller / Coder
a medical office and billing specialist smiling while working at a computer on her first job

Why UMA?

Ultimate Medical Academy offers healthcare programs that support the whole learner.

Student Support

  • 1-on-1 academic assistance
  • Individual help in the job search
  • Potential resource guidance for outside the classroom
  • Committed advisors from start to finish

Online Learning

  • Our UMA Online programs allow you to complete coursework from the comfort of your home.
  • Select programs feature on-site externships/practicums, providing real-world experience.
  • You'll participate in classrooms with a maximum size of 25 students.

Certification Prep

  • Our programs help prepare you to sit for applicable certification exams.3
  • Our team will help you with exam-focused material and support you in areas where you might need extra help, at no additional cost.
Quotation mark

Whitley N.

UMA Graduate

Every advisor I ran into was very supportive. No one made me feel like I was less than. They made me feel like I was more.

Program Outlines

Please see the UMA Catalog for required courses in Arkansas, Kansas, and Minnesota.

Diploma

Medical Office and Billing Specialist Diploma Program

11 month program2

38 Credits

Core Courses

Introduction to Computers

2.5 Credits

Introduction to Healthcare Communication

3 Credits

Introduction to Medical Billing

4 Credits

Medical Terminology

4 Credits

Medical Law, Ethics, and Records Management

4 Credits

Diagnostic Coding for MAA/MOBS

4 Credits

Procedural Coding for MAA/MOBS

4 Credits

Healthcare Reimbursement and Claim Cycle

2.5 Credits

Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology I

4 Credits

Student Success

1 Credits

Career Success

2 Credits

Diploma

Health Sciences – Medical Office and Billing SpecialistAssociate of Science / Associate of Applied Science Degree Program

18 month program2

62 Credits

Core Courses

Introduction to Computers

2.5 Credits

Introduction to Healthcare Communication

3 Credits

Introduction to Medical Billing

4 Credits

Medical Terminology

4 Credits

Medical Law, Ethics, and Records Management

4 Credits

Diagnostic Coding for MAA/MOBS

4 Credits

Procedural Coding for MAA/MOBS

4 Credits

Healthcare Reimbursement and Claim Cycle

2.5 Credits

Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology I

4 Credits

Student Success

1 Credits

Career Success

2 Credits

General Education Courses

English Composition

3 Credits

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

3 Credits

College Math

3 Credits

General Biology

3 Credits

Sociology

3 Credits

Elective Courses (9 Credits)

Computer Fundamentals

3 Credits

Interpersonal Professional Communications

3 Credits

Patient Relations

3 Credits

Quotation mark

La Teisha F.

UMA Graduate

You can do it. You can do anything you put your mind to. Never give up on yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ultimate Medical Academy’s Medical Office and Billing Specialist,Medical Administrative Assistant, and Medical Billing and Coding programs prepare you to apply for medical office work.

Certification is not generally required to work as a medical office assistant, but some employers may prefer it. Certification is separate from career training and can help you stand out as a candidate for a position. For more information about how to enter this career path, see What is a Medical Office and Billing Specialist?

Medical office and billing specialist day-to-day office duties may include greeting patients, scheduling appointments, filing insurance claims, and answering incoming calls. Watch our short “What is a Medical Office and Billing Specialist?” video to learn more.

Ultimate Medical Academy’s online Medical Office and Billing Specialist programs provide career-focused training in medical billing, medical coding, and healthcare office administration. Online courses at UMA are designed to include flexible study time.3 Complete your classwork in the morning, at lunch, or in the middle of the night. It's up to you. UMA is also here to help you every step of the way with online academic support, a student-friendly online library, 24/7 tech support, and more. Visit the UMA Online page to learn more.

Ultimate Medical Academy's online courses are designed to include flexible study time.4Complete your classwork in the morning, at lunch, or in the middle of the night. It's up to you. UMA is also here to help you every step of the way with online academic support, a student-friendly online library, 24/7 tech support, and more. Visit the UMA Online page to learn more.

Different people have different ideas of what to look for in schools that offer medical office and billing specialist administration programs. (While UMA is not considered a "medical office and billing school," we offer online diploma and associate degree Medical Office and Billing Specialist programs.) At UMA, we feel that top schools offering these programs should also provide student support every step of the way with services like one-on-one academic support and financial aid assistance. We also believe that providing career assistance, such as interview preparation and job search help, are essential services to offer our students. To learn about the comprehensive student support services offered by UMA, visit our Ultimate Student Services page.

Although completion times do vary by individual student, you could complete the Medical Office and Billing Assistant Diploma Program in 11 months or Health Sciences – Medical Office and Billing Specialist Associate of Science / Associate of Applied Science Degree Program in 18 months and be on your way to pursuing an entry-level role in the field.2

Ultimate Medical Academy is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES.org), a national accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. Though UMA is not a university or college, we offer online diplomas and degrees as well as blended healthcare programs, some of which offer on-site externships/practicums and certification preparation — all intended to put you in a position to pursue a healthcare career after graduation.

Rolling admissions means there is no specific date by which you must enroll for your desired program. Instead, enrollment occurs continuously throughout the year, enabling you to pursue your healthcare education when you are ready. This is unlike a traditional higher education model where you apply and then wait until a certain date (that may only come once or twice a year) to learn whether you’ve been accepted. Instead, because new course sessions begin every few weeks, you can enroll when it’s right for you.

For more information about this important healthcare role, please visit What is a Medical Office and Billing Specialist?

The cover of the 2025 UMA Catalog

Browse the UMA Catalog

Take a look at the UMA Catalog for comprehensive information on programs, course descriptions, admissions, financial aid guidance, and more.

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Advance Your Education

Your associate degree doesn’t need to be the end of your education. UMA maintains agreements with various educational partners where you may be able to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees in select areas of study.

a student wearing a backpack and holding a book while smiling and leaning against a wall

Explore Financial Aid

If you qualify for financial aid, we’ll walk you through the process. Multiple resources may be available to help pay for the cost of your education. Our Student Finance advisors are committed to helping you understand your options.

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Take the Healthcare Career Quiz

Try our fun and informational Healthcare Career Quiz to better understand which UMA program might align with your goals. In just a few minutes, answer some simple questions and get your results instantly!