Medical Billing & Coding

Next AM Classes: 3/7/18, 5/29/18, 8/27/18, 11/15/18
Next PM Classes: 4/20/18, 7/24/18, 10/17/18, 01/22/19

Certificate Program / 44.5 Quarter Credit Hours
Day: 30 weeks / Evening: 30 weeks / 660 Clock Hours
(including 175 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 time for lectures, demonstrations and on-campus (work-simulated) computer lab for doctor’s coding and billing practice including EHR (Electronic Health Records). Additionally, students receive training in assisting with front desk duties, answering phones, scheduling appointments, filling out insurance forms, practice management, and HIPAA compliance, thus enhancing employment opportunities. The off-campus Clinical Externship module of the curriculum is structured to provide supervised hands-on training (requiring competencies logs and evaluations) at clinical externship sites such us doctor’s offices, clinics and billing and coding companies.

Objectives of the program:

• 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, (with an introduction to ICD 10 CM) and HCPCS coding manuals. Completion of medical insurance forms and use of Medical Office Computer Software (Medisoft) as well Electronic Data Entry and 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 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:

• Proficient in performing entry-level Medical Biller and Coder tasks and responsibilities.
• Awarded a Certificate of Completion.
• Able to establish eligibility to test for the Certified Billing and Coding (CBCS) Certification
• Able to seek an entry-level employment in hospitals, medical coding and billing offices, insurance companies, clinics and doctors offices.

Additional Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum requirements set forth by Medical Career Institute as defined under Admissions. Specific clinical sites may require Health Clearance and Immunizations, Cleared Background Check, Negative Drugs Screenings Test, Student’s Comprehensive General Liability Insurance Policy and or valid Healthcare Provider CPR & AED Certification.

​** The School Director or Program Director make the final determination of acceptance or rejection into program.

Clinical Requirements

Prior to entering (off-campus) laboratory skills area, students may be required to provide a complete Physical Examination including but not limited to current immunizations including Hepatitis B and 2 part PPD vaccinations, (necessary forms will be provided). Students may also be required to wear white sneakers, nurse’s shoes or (closed toe) professional shoes / white socks or stockings. The above laboratory and clinical necessities are the responsibility of the student and may vary according to different site’s requirements. Medical Career Institute carries no responsibility for these requirements and/or charges. Prior to assignment to a designated clinical externship site, students will be required to have cleared Background Check, Negative Drugs Screenings Test, valid Healthcare Provider CPR & AED Certification and Student’s Comprehensive General Liability Insurance Policy which protects the student in the event of a liability lawsuit. Upon successful completion of clinical externship, student will be given competencies evaluation based on procedures performed as deemed relevant to the Medical Billing and Coding Program and offered by the site. Additionally, all students will be evaluated on their professionalism including appearance, punctuality, ability to assume responsibility and dependability, ability to communicate with staff and patients as well as following instructions and accepting constructive criticism.

Credentialing Exams

Upon satisfactory completion of the Medical Billing and Coding program, the graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified Billing and Coding (CBCS) certification through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) www.nhanow.com. This credential is nationally recognized and could enhance employment opportunities. However, registration or credentialing requirements for taking and passing examinations are not controlled by Medical Career Institute but by the agencies and are subjects to change by the agency without notice to Medical Career Institute. Therefore, Medical Career Institute cannot guarantee that graduates will be eligible to sit for certification examination, regardless of their eligibility status upon enrollment. Medical Career Institute carries no responsibility for these requirements, eligibilities and/or charges.

Employment

Many Medical Billers and Coders are employed in Doctor’s offices, hospitals, ambulatory centers, and emergency departments. Some are employed directly by doctors 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. For expected salary please refer to web site: www.salary.com.

Working Conditions

Medical Billers and Coders work in clean, well lit, cool and relatively quiet environment. 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.