Medical Billing & Coding Specialist
Associate of Applied Science Degree

Advisor: Lynn Ward & Deborah Newton

This program is offered completely on-line.

Health information coding is the transformation of verbal descriptions of diseases, injuries, and procedures into alphanumeric designations used for data retrieval, analysis and claims processing. The billing/coding specialist works in a variety of settings including medical management organizations, physician offices, hospitals, clinics, group practices, billing companies, and education. Students in this program are trained as entry-level billing/coding specialists.

Upon completion of the Billing/Coding program, students will be prepared to begin successful careers as reimbursement specialists in a variety of healthcare settings. In addition, students are prepared to sit for the National Certified Coding Associate Exam.

Outcomes - Graduates are prepared to:

• Abstract information from patient records for reimbursement purpose;
  
  
• Research and rely on knowledge of correct medical terminiology, anatomy and physiology, and disease processes to assign appropriate codes according to national and international guidelines;
  
  
• Complete clean claims for private and government insurances;
  
  
• Analyze Explanations of Benefits and Remittance Advice forms and take appropriate action;
  
  
• Use computer applications and software specific to the billing/coding environment;
  
  
• Maintain confidentiality of health information and adhere to regulations pertaining to privacy laws and guidelines; and
  
  
• Professionally interact in the healthcare environment with healthcare providers, patients/clients and the public.
  
  
  

Estimated Resident Program Cost:

Tuition and Fees	$6773
Application Fee	$30
Books/Supplies	$1690
TOTAL:	$8493

Students wishing to enter the Medical Billing Specialist program are strongly advised to be proficient in keyboarding and typing.

A grade of “C-” or above must be achieved in all courses to advance and graduate from the program.

Fall Semester 1

Course	No.	Title	Credits
AH	101	Healthcare Delivery	2+
AH	185	Basic Medical Terminology	3+
BIO	127	Anatomy and Physiology I for non-clinical major	4+
CIT	110	Introduction to Computers	3+
MATH	---**	103 or Higher	4+
		SUBTOTAL	16

 

Spring Semester 1

Course	No.	Title	Credits
AH	194	Basic Pharmaceuticals	1+
AH	201*	Medical Science	3+
BIO	128*	Anatomy and Physiology II for non-clinical major	4+
HI	236*	ICD Coding	3+
HI	237*	CPT Coding	3+
		SUBTOTAL	14

Summer Semester

Course	No.	Title	Credits
HI	256*	Intermediate ICD	3+
HI	257*	Intermediate CPT	3+
		SUBTOTAL	6

 

Fall Semester 2

Course	No.	Title	Credits
ENGL	124**	Business and Professional Comm	3+
HI	132*	Health Data Content and Structure	3+
HI	295*	Overview of Health Informatics	4+
OO	111*	Fundamentals of Insurance	4+
		SUBTOTAL	14

 

Spring Semester 2

Course	No.	Title	Credits
HI	156*	Legal & Regulatory	3+
HI	270*	BIlling/Coding PPE	2+
OO	112*	Advanced Insurance	3+
OO	291*	Billing/Coding Capstone	2+
PSY	101	General Psychology OR
SOC	111	Introduction to Sociology	3+
		SUBTOTAL	13

Total Program Credits: 63~

~ Many students need preliminary math and English courses before enrolling in the program requirements. These courses may increase the total number of program credits. Students should review their math and English placement before planning out their full program schedules.

+ A grade of "C-" or above required for graduation
* Indicates prerequisites needed
** Placement in course(s) is determined by placement assessment