Which of the following is a common responsibility of medical assistants?

A common responsibility of medical assistants is billing and coding for insurance purposes. This role involves ensuring that medical services provided to patients are accurately documented and that claims are submitted to insurance companies for reimbursement. Medical assistants often work closely with healthcare providers to gather information about the procedures performed and the diagnoses made, which are essential for correct billing and coding.

The role of a medical assistant typically does not include diagnosing patient conditions, which is the responsibility of licensed healthcare providers such as physicians and nurse practitioners. Similarly, operating complex medical machines usually requires specialized training beyond what is covered in medical assistant programs, as does performing surgical procedures, which are conducted by surgeons or other qualified medical professionals. Therefore, billing and coding align closely with the administrative and supportive functions that medical assistants are trained to perform.