Medical Coder/Billing Specialist Certificate

Program Description

This certificate prepares students for employment in hospitals, physicians’ offices, and other health care settings as medical coders, abstractors, and medical billers of clinical patient information using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) as modified for use in the United States and the HCPCS/CPT coding systems. In addition, students will learn about other related classification systems, clinical documentation requirements, prospective payment systems, e.g., diagnosis related groups (DRGs), reimbursement strategies, and the processing of medical claims. The program incorporates classroom instruction and a practicum covering a wide variety of medical specialties in both ambulatory and inpatient care.

Graduates are eligible to apply to take one of three national certifying examinations administered by the American Health Information Management Association to become a certified coding associate, certified coding specialist, or certified coding specialist-physician and the national certifying examinations administered by the American Academy of Professional Coders.

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the Medical Coder/Billing Specialist Certificate will be able to:

• Examine compliance of health record content within the health organizations.
• Apply laws, regulations, and policies to healthcare delivery organizations
• Apply accurate diagnostic and procedural codes for reimbursement processes
• Evaluate compliance with regulatory requirements and reimbursement
• Use medical terminology as related to body systems
• Demonstrate behaviors consistent with the professional Code of Ethics of the AHIMA for professional medical coders

Sequence of Study - Medical Coder/Billing Specialist Certificate

Below are the required courses for your program arranged in a suggested sequence. Please note that the sequence does not include developmental coursework. See Academic Preparation  for the developmental course sequence if applicable to you.

Required Courses (in expected order)

• EGL-1010 Composition I: Expository Writing Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)
• HIM-1530 Medical Terminology Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)
• INT-1010 Introduction to Information Technology Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)
• BIO-2050 Human Anatomy & Physiology I Credits: 4 (Program Requirement; Critical Course)
• BIO-2060 Anatomy and Physiology II Credits: 4 (Program Requirement)
• HIM-1500 Introduction to Health Information & Healthcare Systems Credits: 4 (Program Requirement)
• HIM-1550 Disease Processes Credits: 4 (Program Requirement; Critical Course)
• HIM-1600 Principles & Applications of CPT Credits: 2 (Program Requirement)
• HIM-2520 Principles and Applications of ICD Coding II Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)
• HIM-2560 Health Information Practicum II Credits: 1 (Program Requirement)
• HIM-2600 Medical Reimbursement and Billing Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)

Program Total: 38 Credits

Check BIO-2050  for eligibility requirements.

It is highly recommended that students complete HIM-1530 prior to entering the Medical Coder/Billing Specialist Program.