Certificate Program
18 weeks/430 Clock hours with 100 hours of Clinical Externship
The Medical Billing and Coding program is designed to prepare the graduate to become skilled entry-level Medical Biller and Coder and work effectively in the health care environment. The program includes well balanced on-campus space for lectures and demonstrations; on-campus (work-simulated) computer lab for doctor’s billing and coding practice. The off-campus Clinical Externship module of the curriculum is structured to include supervised hands-on training (requiring competencies logs and evaluations) at clinical externship sites such us doctor’s offices and clinics.
Objectives:
- Teaching courses in anatomy, medical terminology, computer applications, interpersonal skills, medical ethics, confidentiality, and professional behavior.
- Teaching students step-by- step instruction on the proper use of the CPT, ICD-9 CM, and HCPCS coding manuals. Completion of medical insurance forms and use of Medical Office Computer Software (Medisoft) as well as Electronic Data Entry and Electronic Records Keeping.
- Providing virtual reality clinical activities within on-campus work-simulated training laboratories that include computer knowledge with technical skills and work habits necessary to perform effectively in various Medical Billing and Coding environments, including Electronic Data Entry and Electronic Records Keeping for hospitals, physician’s office, insurance venues, and billing companies.
- Provide the student with off campus clinical externship experience that includes a supervised hands-on training (requiring competencies logs and evaluations) at the clinical site (physician’s office).
At the completion of the program, the diligent student will be:
- Awarded a Certificate of Completion (Diploma).
- Proficient in performing entry-level Medical Biller and Coder tasks and responsibilities.
- Able to sit for the credentialing examination.
- Able to seek an entry-level employment in medical billing offices, insurance company.
Working conditions:
Medical Biller/Coders work in clean, well lit, and
cool and relatively quiet environments. They may
well be required to sit for long periods of time,
and it is vital their attention be focused on the
tasks at hand. Most
medical billers and coders work a regular 40-hour week: although they may be
"Part-time", work nights, weekends and holidays on a rotating basis, depending
on their facility.
Employment:
Many Medical Billers/coders are employed in Doctor's offices, hospitals,
ambulatory centers, and emergency departments. Some are employed directly by
doctors in the "private assistant role," while others work as self-employed
individuals. Their broad educational background, plus specialized focus, allows
medical billers/coders to function well in a number of diverse areas of their
field. Employment possibilities in addition to the aforementioned include
insurance companies and private billing companies.
Medical Billing and its related occupations are one
of the fastest growing opportunities in health care.
Insurance companies and the government are spending
more time and money researching and controlling
claims' fraud, abusive practices, and medical
necessity issues. A number of medical
billers/coders become instructors after 3 years of experience in the field.