Health Sciences - Medical Office and Billing Specialist

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,6 and career support to help you pursue roles in medical billing, medical coding, and healthcare office administration. Boost your earning potential, while learning the professional skills that potential employers may be looking for along with field-specific knowledge.4 Includes certification preparation. Certification PrepPrepare to sit for the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) exam.3

Ultimate Medical Academy was founded in 1993 to serve the Tampa community’s need to train healthcare professionals, launched its online campus in 2009, and since 2015 has been owned by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (now Vocate Education Solutions). UMA says it has supported more than 100,000 graduates.

• UMA is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and licensed by the Florida Commission for Independent Education.
• Many programs are fully online, and tech support is available 24/7.
• Standardized testing is not required to enroll: no SAT, GMAT, GRE or ACT.
• Tuition includes coursework materials (textbooks, e-books and software), online and on-campus libraries with librarian support, and externship or professional practice experience in select programs.
• Student support includes one-on-one academic assistance, a personalized student portal, committed advisors from start to finish, and laptops for those who qualify.
• Certification preparation, where applicable, with exam-focused material and support at no additional cost.
• Job search assistance that begins before graduation, resume and mock interview sessions, and ongoing alumni services.

General admissions requirements. Before enrolling, prospective students must have completed a valid high school diploma or equivalent (a standard diploma, official home-schooling, a GED, HiSET or TASC, a state-recognized equivalency certificate, or a DD-214 showing high school completion; special diplomas are not accepted), be proficient in verbal and written English, and be beyond the age of compulsory school attendance in Florida. Students in an entirely online program must pass an Identity Verification (IDV) check.

Enrollment steps. Applicants interview with admissions, complete all required admission documents and an Attestation of High School Graduation or Equivalent, participate in orientation before the program starts, and attend a financial aid appointment. A Level I background check must be completed satisfactorily by the eighth calendar day after the start (Level II for Patient Care Technician). Every new student is first registered on a provisional basis for the first module (the first two modules for Health Sciences - Pharmacy Technician); provisionally registered students do not pay tuition, and those who cancel during this period incur no tuition obligation. Standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT are not required.

State availability. The Associate of Science version is offered to residents of enrolling states other than Arkansas, Kansas and Minnesota; residents of Arkansas, Kansas and Minnesota enroll in the Associate of Applied Science version, which UMA lists at the same tuition.

Length. Instructional time is 70 weeks and normal time is 75 weeks for 62.0 semester credits (2,940 total clock hours (1,080 clock hours and 1,860 recognized outside clock hours)). Normal time is UMA’s more realistic completion estimate because it includes scheduled breaks; actual completion can vary with leaves of absence, transfer credit or repeated coursework.

Format. Instruction occurs in a distance learning setting through UMA Online, and out-of-class work is required.

Courses and starts. Each course is a module of 5 to 16 weeks depending on the program, and attendance online is based on completing academically related activities such as discussion boards, assignments and tests. UMA Online classes start every 2-3 weeks.

Tuition. Tuition for the 62.0-semester-credit Health Sciences - Medical Office and Billing Specialist Associate of Science degree is $29,450, calculated at $475 per credit hour, with books included, so the total cost is also $29,450 (published for UMA Online). Tuition varies when courses are failed and must be repeated; retake fees are charged at full tuition equal to the original cost of the course. UMA tuition includes coursework materials (textbooks, e-books and software), online and on-campus libraries, student services and laptops for those who qualify.

Financial aid. UMA offers Federal Student Aid to those who qualify, including Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, Direct PLUS loans for parents, and Federal Work Study at the Clearwater campus. Students apply by completing the FAFSA each award year, listing UMA’s school code 035493. UMA also participates in military and veterans’ benefits (Tuition Assistance, the GI Bill® chapters, MyCAA and the Yellow Ribbon Program, with special military pricing published in the catalog) and Florida state aid such as the Florida Student Assistance Grant and Bright Futures. Student Finance advisors help applicants understand their options.

The program prepares students for entry-level employment in administrative or billing positions in a variety of settings, with a focus on insurance and patient billing functions and the processing of healthcare claims.

UMA reports that graduates of this program have found entry-level work in these environments:

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

They have also found roles that include:

• Customer Service Representative
• Medical Office Assistant / Medical Receptionist
• Insurance Benefits Specialist
• Medical Biller / Coder

Certification. Students receive course preparation to sit for the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) examination offered through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA); graduates must meet eligibility requirements to sit for the examination.

UMA’s Career Services advisors help graduates with resume reviews, job search strategy, interview preparation and the application process, and provide on-the-job support for a graduate’s first weeks of employment. UMA does not guarantee employment.

Support from start to finish. New Student Advisors help students adjust to UMA during their first 10-15 weeks, after which each student is assigned a Learner Services Advisor who stays with them through graduation. Academic Specialists answer questions about discussions, assignments and assessments and connect students with instructors, who can also be reached during office hours or by email.

Resources. The UMA Virtual Library holds thousands of peer-reviewed, full-text articles available at any time, with a full-time librarian for research help. The Student Success Center, Wellness Center and Puma Den Information Center offer on-demand webinars, instructor sessions and help with laptops and technical support, and the UMA Student Guidance Center provides confidential counseling 24/7 at no additional cost.

Externships and careers. In select programs the Externship Team helps students find real-world experience before graduation; Certification Services helps students register for certification exams; and more than 125 Career Services advisors offer resume, interview and LinkedIn coaching, with Alumni Services continuing after graduation.

Attendance and graduation. Online attendance is based on completing academically related activities such as discussion boards, assignments and tests; students absent for 14 consecutive calendar days are withdrawn. To graduate, students complete all required courses and any externship, clinical or PPE hours, earn a minimum CGPA of 2.0, and satisfy attendance requirements.