Certificate Program with 100 hours of Externship
430 Clock Hours/18 Weeks/4.5 Months Program
Objectives
and goals
The Medical Billing and Coding program is designed to prepare students
for a career in medical billing and coding fields.
This program has been created for students who have
no prior knowledge or experience in the health care
environment and provides them with an overview of
the major responsibilities needed to work in the
profession Students
are also being taught medical terminology, anatomy
and physiology, medical law and ethics as well as basic
skills of computerized billing and applications.
Training also consists of the basic knowledge of
medical terminology, pharmacology, anatomy and
physiology medical law and ethics.
Main focus of this program is to prepare students to be able to navigate through CPT, ICD-9 and HCPCS coding format and conventions, demonstrating different ways to locate codes, applications of guidelines and identification of documentation necessary to ensure accurate coding assignment and completion of medical insurance forms. Use of Medical Office Computer Software (Medisoft) is also included.
Upon successful completion of the program, the graduates will be proficient in performing entry-level duties of reviewing patient's documentation to accurately code all diagnosis, procedures and services using ICD-9 Manual and HCPCS Level II for procedures and services. They also will be able to apply gained knowledge of insurance rules and regulations to accurately prepare and review generated claims to ensure that all required data are reported thus maximizing reimbursement.
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.