Online Medical Office and Billing Specialist Programs
Train for a growing field from home.1
Get started toward a growing career path and prepare for certification.1
Classes start on soon .
Earn your diploma in 11 months or an associate degree in 18 months.2
What is a Medical Office and Billing Specialist?
Medical office and billing specialists typically perform office duties, billing responsibilities related to insurance, and some aspects of medical coding. 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.
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.
Classes start
Health Sciences – Medical Office and Billing Specialist Associate Degree Program
18 months2
Includes soft skills that potential employers may be looking for, plus field-specific knowledge. Includes certification preparation.
Classes start
Certification Prep
Prepare to sit for the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) exam, if eligible.
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.
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 an 10% decline, 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 each year, on average, 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
Why UMA?
Choose a healthcare program at a school that supports the whole student.
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 if you meet eligibility requirements.
- Our team will help you with exam-focused material and support you in areas where you might need extra help, at no additional cost.
Melissa C.
UMA Graduate
Let's face it, the one thing that is not going to change is the need for healthcare workers. That is an ever-growing industry.
Program Outlines
Please see the UMA Catalog for required courses in Arkansas, Kansas, and Minnesota.
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
Diversity in Healthcare Settings
3 Credits
Student Success
1 Credits
Career Success
2 Credits
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
Diversity in Healthcare Settings
3 Credits
Student Success
1 Credits
Career Success
2 Credits
Health Sciences – Medical Office and Billing Specialist Associate 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
Diversity in Healthcare Settings
3 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
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
Diversity in Healthcare Settings
3 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
Sydnee C.
UMA Graduate
I have never seen a school that has had someone with you from the very first time that you send information, wanting information, all the way until graduation, then past graduation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Medical Office and Billing Specialist, Medical Administrative Assistant, and Medical Billing and Coding are all programs that UMA offers that prepare you to apply for medical office work.
No. Certification as a medical office assistant is generally not required. 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, see What is a Medical Office and Billing Specialist?
Medical office and billing specialist duties may include greeting patients, scheduling appointments, filing insurance claims, and answering incoming calls. Day-to-day office functions are part of a medical office and billing specialist's tasks.
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.
Online courses at UMA are designed to include flexible study time.3Complete 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.
While UMA is not considered a "medical office and billing school," we offer online diploma and associate degree Medical Office and Billing Specialist programs that include student support services. Different people have different ideas of what to look for in schools that offer medical administration programs. 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 academic assistance. At UMA, we 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 earn your Medical Office and Billing Assistant diploma in 11 months or associate degree 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.
For more information, please visit the What is a Medical Office and Billing Specialist? article. It covers the what’s and why’s in more detail.
Browse the 2024 UMA Catalog
Take a look at the UMA Catalog for comprehensive information on programs, course descriptions, admissions, finance, and more.
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.
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.
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 personality questions and get your results instantly!