If you aspire to become a medical assistant and reside in Denton, Texas, you’ve landed in the right place. At Integrity Health and Education, we provide training courses for certified nursing assistants, medical assistants, as well as BLS and CPR training. In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits medical assistants enjoy in the workplace. If you’re eager to learn more, continue reading below.
A medical assistant is a healthcare professional who operates in a doctor’s clinic, responsible for various clinical duties such as measuring vital signs and performing administrative tasks like scheduling patient appointments.
Medical assisting stands out as one of the fastest-growing occupations in the healthcare sector of the United States, offering numerous benefits including job security and competitive salaries.
When considering a job offer, it’s essential to review the employee benefits before signing any contracts. Here are some of the benefits medical assistants typically receive in the workplace.
Paid Leave
According to a survey conducted by the American Association of Medical Assistants, around 83% of medical assistants receive paid leave. As an employee, receiving paid vacation means you can take time off from work without losing money from your paycheck. Paid leave vacation is usually limited to 1-2 weeks every year.
Many employers offer paid leave that may increase the longer the employee serves in the workplace. The longer you stay in the same workplace, the more days of paid leave will be given to you, so you must check your contract before signing it.
Newly hired employees are usually given 1 week of paid leave every year. Medical assistants who have been loyal to the company and have worked for more than 10 years in the same company are usually entitled to as much as 3 weeks of paid leave every year.
Medical Insurance
Approximately 74% of full-time medical assistants receive medical insurance benefits in their workplace. These insurance plans provided by employers can vary widely.
Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, major medical plans now cover standard preventive healthcare services like screening tests and vaccinations. Many medical insurance plans also include coverage for urgent care or emergency room visits, surgery, hospital admissions, and most prescription medications.
However, medical insurance plans typically require a copay and may not provide coverage until a deductible is reached. According to the latest data from the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average deductible for an individual in an employer health plan is $1,735.
Disability Insurance
Approximately 64% of full-time medical assistants receive disability insurance benefits in their workplace. This insurance type covers lost salary in the event of an employee’s sudden disability. Short-term disability typically covers an employee for up to 2 years, while long-term disability provides coverage for the remainder of their life.
Conditions covered by disability insurance include blindness, loss of hearing, and severe injuries like paralysis or loss of limbs. It’s important to note that disabilities don’t have to occur in the workplace to be covered by this insurance.
Vision Insurance
Roughly 78% of full-time medical assistants receive vision insurance benefits in their workplace. This insurance covers expenses for eye checkups, new glasses, and contacts. Most vision insurance policies include coverage for eye doctor visits and exams but typically do not cover eye-corrective surgeries like Lasik.
Dental Insurance
About 83% of full-time medical assistants receive dental insurance benefits in their workplace. This insurance typically covers dental cleanings every 6 months and a set of X-rays. Some dental insurance plans may also cover minor procedures such as teeth fillings, but generally do not cover orthodontic care such as braces or other corrective dental procedures.
Sick Leave
58% of full-time medical assistants receive sick leave benefits in their workplace. Sick leave differs from vacation leave. According to the Family Leave and Medical Act, employers must allow their employees up to 12 weeks of leave to care for themselves or family members without risking termination.
While sick leave permits employees to take time off without losing their job, it does not mandate that employers pay them during their absence. However, some employers do provide compensation for the days employees are on sick leave.
Hospitalization
About 41% of full-time medical assistants receive basic hospitalization benefits in their workplace. This coverage typically includes the cost of extended hospital stays, typically a month or longer.
Discount on Prescription Medications
Approximately 40% of full-time medical assistants receive discounts on prescription medication in their workplace. Since not all prescription medications are covered by medical insurance, this benefit can make expensive medications more affordable. It’s worth noting that employee discount programs typically cannot be combined with other discount coupons.
Healthcare Provider Discounts
Medical assistants often have access to healthcare provider discounts offered by various businesses. These discounts can lead to substantial savings on a wide range of items, including clothing, food, electronics, footwear, spa experiences, and travel.
Professional Liability Insurance
Approximately 24% of full-time medical assistants receive liability insurance in their workplace. This insurance covers an employee who is sued for making errors in their work. It’s distinct from malpractice insurance since medical assistants have a different scope of practice compared to other healthcare professionals such as nurses and doctors.
AAMA Membership
About 12% of full-time medical assistants are granted AAMA membership sponsored by their employers. This membership entails discounts on continuing education training courses, subscriptions to CMA magazine, invitations to the annual AAMA conference, and professional networking benefits.
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
Approximately 54% of full-time medical assistants are provided with accidental death and dismemberment insurance. Specific requirements must be met for individuals to receive a payout for accidental death or dismemberment.
Accidents such as car crashes are covered by insurance, while incidents related to health problems such as cardiac arrest and stroke are not covered.
Medical assistants undergo short training periods. If you aspire to work in the medical field but lack the finances and time for extensive study, consider enrolling in a medical assistant training course. Most programs are designed to be completed in just a year or less, allowing you to find a job and start earning money immediately!
If you’re aspiring to become a certified medical assistant in Denton, Texas, you can achieve certification by attending an accredited medical assisting program and passing the exam afterward.
Choose Integrity Health and Education to Become a Certified Medical Assistant
Certification opens doors to higher compensation, better work shifts, and enhanced career prospects in healthcare. Integrity Health and Education in Denton offers the necessary training courses to help you reach your goals. If you’re interested in enrolling, send us a message for more information.
At Integrity Health and Education, we provide various training courses, including Certified Nurse Aide, Medical Assistant Program, BLS Training, and CPR Training. Whether you’re seeking to start or advance your career in healthcare, we’re here to support you.
Reach out to us by calling (940) 323-1973 or emailing admissions@integrityhealthed.com to explore your options. Let Integrity Health and Education be your partner in realizing your dream of becoming a medical assistant. Contact us today!