The 5 Best MOA Certifications for Your Career

Learn more about the certifications that can increase competitive advantage, earning potential, and job stability for MOAs

The demand for Medical Office Administrators (MOAs) has been steadily increasing in recent years. The healthcare industry is growing rapidly, and with that growth comes a need for skilled professionals who can manage the administrative aspects of healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, and long-term care facilities.

Certifications can significantly enhance the career prospects of MOAs, making them more competitive in the job market. By earning these certifications, MOAs demonstrate their commitment to professional development and their ability to perform their role effectively. With additional certifications, MOAs may qualify for roles with greater responsibilities, such as medical office managers or supervisors. They may also have increased earning potential and job stability.

What is a Medical Office Administrator?

What Does a Medical Office Administrator Do?

MOAs in the healthcare industry serve as a vital link between patients, healthcare providers, and administrative staff, helping to create a positive patient experience. They play a key role in ensuring accurate documentation, timely communication, and organized operations, which are essential for delivering high-quality patient care.

To excel in the role of an MOA, specialized knowledge and skills are essential. MOAs need to have a solid understanding of medical terminology, healthcare regulations, and insurance procedures. They should be familiar with electronic health records (EHR) systems and have strong computer skills to efficiently manage patient information and perform administrative tasks. Excellent organizational and time management skills are crucial to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and prioritize effectively.

Medical Office Administrators are responsible for a wide range of tasks to ensure the efficient functioning of a healthcare facility. Here are some of the key responsibilities and daily tasks associated with the role:

• Patient Scheduling: MOAs are responsible for managing the appointment schedule. This involves coordinating with patients to schedule appointments, rescheduling or canceling appointments as needed, and ensuring that the schedule is optimized to accommodate patient needs and provider availability.
• Medical Billing and Coding: MOAs handle medical billing and coding tasks, which involve accurately assigning diagnostic and procedural codes to patient encounters for insurance purposes. They ensure that the coding is done correctly to facilitate proper reimbursement and compliance with healthcare regulations.
• Maintaining Patient Records: MOAs are responsible for managing and maintaining patient records. This includes creating and updating patient files, recording medical histories, inputting demographic information, and organizing documents such as lab results, test reports, and referrals. MOAs must ensure that patient records are accurate, confidential, and easily accessible when needed.
• Managing Office Operations: MOAs handle various administrative tasks, including managing incoming and outgoing correspondence, answering phone calls and inquiries, coordinating referrals to specialists, ordering and maintaining office supplies, managing inventory, and maintaining a clean and organized office environment.

Benefits of Earning an MOA Certification

Earning certifications as a Medical Office Administrator (MOA) offers several advantages that can positively impact a career. Certifications can increase the chances of securing a job, enhance career prospects, and potentially lead to higher salaries or opportunities for career advancement within the healthcare industry. In addition, certifications allow MOAs to specialize in specific areas of medical administration. For example, they may choose to pursue certifications in medical coding and billing, electronic health records (EHR) management, or healthcare compliance. Specializing in a particular area can make MOAs highly sought after for positions that require those specific skills, further expanding your career options.

Top MOA Certifications

Here are brief introductions to the top MOA certifications and their specific requirements:

Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
The Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) certification is offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). It validates the knowledge and skills required to perform administrative duties in a medical office setting. CMAAs are proficient in areas such as medical office procedures, communication, patient scheduling, record management, and basic medical coding and billing.

Certified Professional Biller (CPB)
The Certified Professional Biller (CPB) certification is offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). It focuses specifically on medical billing and reimbursement. CPBs possess expertise in medical billing techniques, healthcare regulations, insurance claim submission, payment processing, and resolving billing-related issues. They play a crucial role in ensuring accurate and timely reimbursement for healthcare services.

Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
The CPC certification, also provided by the AAPC, is designed for individuals involved in medical coding. CPCs have comprehensive knowledge of medical coding systems, such as ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS. They assign appropriate codes to diagnoses, procedures, and services, ensuring accurate documentation and proper billing. CPCs work closely with healthcare providers to ensure compliance with coding guidelines and facilitate proper reimbursement.

Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS)
The CEHRS certification is offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). It focuses on the management and use of electronic health records (EHR) systems. CEHRS professionals are trained in EHR software, data management, patient privacy and security, meaningful use of EHRs, and interoperability. They ensure the accurate and secure storage of patient information in electronic formats.

Certified Healthcare Access Manager (CHAM)
The CHAM certification is offered by the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM). CHAM professionals specialize in healthcare access management, which involves patient registration, admission, scheduling, insurance verification, and financial counseling. CHAMs possess knowledge of healthcare regulations, revenue cycle management, patient privacy, and customer service to ensure smooth patient access to healthcare services.

1. Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)

1. • The CMAA certification exam consists of multiple-choice questions assessing knowledge and skills in medical office procedures, communication, patient scheduling, record management, and basic medical coding and billing.
   • The certification is offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
   • Candidates are tested on topics such as administrative duties, communication, medical records management, patient intake, and basic coding and billing procedures.
   • The exam typically consists of around 110-120 multiple-choice questions.
   • The CMAA certification focuses specifically on the role of a medical administrative assistant, covering a broad range of administrative skills necessary for medical office management. This credential may be chosen by MOAs seeking a well-rounded certification that encompasses various aspects of medical office administration.

2. Certified Professional Biller (CPB)

1. • The CPB certification exam assesses knowledge and skills in medical billing and reimbursement, including healthcare regulations, claim submission, payment processing, and billing issue resolution.
   • The certification is offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).
   • The exam covers topics such as medical billing guidelines, coding systems, insurance policies, claim appeals, and compliance with billing regulations.
   • The exam typically consists of around 200 multiple-choice questions.
   • The CPB certification focuses specifically on medical billing and reimbursement, making it an attractive choice for MOAs seeking to specialize in this area. This credential validates expertise in billing-related tasks and demonstrates proficiency in navigating the complex world of medical insurance and reimbursement.

3. Certified Professional Coder (CPC)

1. • The CPC certification exam evaluates knowledge and skills in medical coding, including ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS coding systems.
   • The certification is also offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).
   • The exam covers topics such as anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, coding guidelines, coding scenarios, and regulatory compliance.
   • Number of Questions: The exam typically consists of around 150 multiple-choice questions.
   • The CPC certification is highly focused on medical coding, making it a valuable credential for MOAs seeking to specialize in this critical aspect of medical office administration. This certification demonstrates expertise in accurate coding, which is essential for proper documentation and billing.

4. Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS)

1. • The CEHRS certification exam tests knowledge and skills related to electronic health records (EHR) management, including EHR software, data management, privacy and security, and interoperability.
   • The certification is offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
   • The exam covers topics such as EHR workflow, EHR system usage, data input and retrieval, privacy and security regulations, and meaningful use of EHRs.
   • The exam typically consists of around 100-110 multiple-choice questions.
   • The CEHRS certification focuses specifically on EHR management, reflecting the increasing importance of electronic health records in modern healthcare settings. MOAs interested in specializing in EHR management and playing a vital role in maintaining accurate and secure patient records may choose this credential.

5. Certified Healthcare Access Manager (CHAM)

• The CHAM exam assesses candidates’ knowledge and skills in healthcare access management. It evaluates proficiency in patient registration, admission, scheduling, insurance verification, financial counseling, and revenue cycle management.
• The CHAM certification is offered by the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM).
• The exam covers a wide range of topics, including healthcare regulations, patient privacy and confidentiality, revenue cycle processes, customer service, and communication skills.
• The CHAM exam typically consists of around 100 to 115 multiple-choice questions.
• The CHAM certification is specifically designed for professionals involved in healthcare access management, distinguishing it from other certifications that focus on different aspects of medical office administration. It highlights expertise in patient registration, scheduling, insurance verification, and financial counseling.
• The value of certifications like CHAM can vary based on factors such as employer preferences, geographic region, area of specialization, and patient-care setting.

The value of any certification can change over time due to evolving industry needs, changes in guidelines, or the introduction of new certifications. Staying updated on industry trends, understanding the preferences of potential employers in the area, and considering additional certifications or specializations aligned with one’s career goals can help assess the value of the certification in a specific circumstance.

MOA Certification Requirements and Preparation

Here’s an overview of the prerequisites, eligibility criteria, application process, study resources, and continuing education opportunities for each certification:

Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)

• Prerequisites: There are no specific prerequisites for the CMAA certification.
• Eligibility criteria: Candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent to be eligible for the CMAA certification.
• Application process: Candidates need to submit an application through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) website and pay the required fee. Once the application is approved, candidates can schedule their exam at an approved testing center.
• Study resources: The NHA offers study materials and practice exams on their website. Additional resources such as textbooks, online courses, and study guides are available through various publishers and educational platforms.

Certified Professional Biller (CPB)

• Prerequisites: There are no specific prerequisites for the CPB certification.
• Eligibility criteria: Candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent to be eligible for the CPB certification.
• Application process: Candidates need to submit an application and pay the required fee to the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). Once the application is approved, candidates can schedule their exam at an approved testing center.
• Study resources: The AAPC provides study guides, online courses, and practice exams for CPB exam preparation. Other resources include textbooks, coding manuals, and webinars offered by AAPC and other reputable organizations.

Certified Professional Coder (CPC)

• Prerequisites: There are no specific prerequisites for the CPC certification, but it is recommended to have a basic understanding of medical coding.
• Eligibility criteria: Candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent to be eligible for the CPC certification.
• Application process: Candidates need to submit an application and pay the required fee to the AAPC. Once the application is approved, candidates can schedule their exam at an approved testing center.
• Study resources: The AAPC offers study guides, online courses, practice exams, and coding manuals specifically designed for CPC exam preparation. Third-party publishers also offer study materials and review courses to help candidates prepare for the exam.

Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS)

• Prerequisites: There are no specific prerequisites for the CEHRS certification.
• Eligibility criteria: Candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent to be eligible for the CEHRS certification.
• Application process: Candidates need to submit an application through the NHA website and pay the required fee. Once the application is approved, candidates can schedule their exam at an approved testing center.
• Study resources: The NHA provides study materials, including a candidate handbook, online practice exams, and study guides. Additionally, there are online courses, textbooks, and EHR software training programs available to help candidates prepare for the exam.

Certified Healthcare Access Manager (CHAM)

• Prerequisites: There are no specific prerequisites for the CHAM certification, but it is recommended to have experience in healthcare access management.
• Eligibility criteria: Candidates must have a minimum of one year of experience in healthcare access management or a related field to be eligible for the CHAM certification.
• Application process: Candidates need to submit an application and pay the required fee to the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM). Once the application is approved, candidates can schedule their exam at an approved testing center.

The healthcare industry is constantly evolving with new technologies, regulations, and best practices. Ongoing professional development is essential for MOAs and healthcare professionals to maintain their certifications and stay current in their field. This helps them provide high-quality and up-to-date services to patients and employers. Ongoing professional development also opens doors to career advancement opportunities and provides opportunities for MOAs to network with peers, industry experts, and professionals from various healthcare disciplines. Many certifications require the completion of continuing education units (CEUs) or a recertification process to maintain the credential.

They can explore options such as professional associations, healthcare organizations, educational institutions, online platforms, and industry conferences. These resources offer a range of continuing education programs, including webinars, workshops, seminars, certificate programs, and self-study materials.

Highlights of the Key Points Covered in the Article

This article covered the following key points:

• Certifications are valuable for Medical Office Administrators (MOAs) as they demonstrate expertise, enhance skills, and provide credibility in the healthcare industry.
• MOAs with certifications have increased job opportunities, higher earning potential, and improved career growth prospects.
• Certifications such as CMAA, CPB, CPC, CEHRS, and CHAM offer specialized knowledge and validate proficiency in specific areas of medical administration.
• Certifications are offered through reputable organizations like NHA, AAPC, and NAHAM, and have specific exam criteria and requirements.
• Continuing education is crucial for maintaining certifications and staying updated with industry trends and best practices.

For MOAs aspiring to excel in their careers, earning relevant certifications is highly recommended. If you’re an MOA looking to enhance your skills, job prospects, and overall career growth, it’s time to explore and pursue certifications relevant to your field. Consider certifications like CMAA, CPB, CPC, CEHRS, and CHAM, which cater to different aspects of medical administration.

If you’re just getting started in the field, explore the Medical Office Administration program at Brookline College, where in as little as 34 weeks, you can learn how to play an integral role in healthcare. Explore how to become a medical assistant and the best entry-level medical jobs if you’d like more information on opportunities in this dynamic healthcare field.