Medical Coding and Billing Specialist - Associates Program
This program prepares students for employment in hospitals, ambulatory centers, visiting nursing associations, insurance companies, physician offices, and many other health organizations as a medical coder/billing specialist. After several years of work experience, the student may also work from home as an independent medical biller/coder.
Students must achieve a minimum "C" (73%) or better in every course. The student who is unable to meet the minimum requirement will be withdrawn from the program.
Students will also be prepared to take the Certified Coding Assistant (CCA) examination administered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). This examination is required by many employers for entry-level coding positions.
Program prerequisites include (1) placement in college-level reading, Algebra 1, and college-level English; (2) completion of Medical Terminology (MAST-101); and (3) familiarity with the operation of computers.
Program Prerequisites:
- Student must place in college level reading.
- Student must place in ALGB-087.
- Student must complete Medical Terminology (MAST-101).
- Student must place in ENGL-100.
- Student must be familiar with operating computers (or take CMPA-098 or CMPA-100).
Medical Coding and Billing Specialists Program Goals
- Understand medical terminology and anatomy/physiology and can apply it to coding physician-documented patients� records in an inpatient or outpatient setting.
- Understand the coding assignment guidelines: ICD-9, CPT and HCPCS and have the skills to code diseases and procedures from patients� records.
- Have an understanding of the relationship between coding and reimbursement; be knowledgeable about insurance terminology, various insurance carrier requirements and complete an insurance form.
- Understand the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and how it applies to coding and billing release of information.
- Can demonstrate proficiency in preparing an electronic medical record, billing services, posting payments, generating appointments, and medical/financial reports using medical software.
- Are computer literate (proficient in word processing, spreadsheets, data base, e-mail, and the Internet).
Programmatic Technical Standard (PDF)
Curriculum Effective with incoming class of Fall 2010.
| Semester 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Course Title | Credits | |
| BIOL-148 | BASICS OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY Note 1 | 4 | |
| ENGL-100 | ENGLISH COMPOSITION 1 | 3 | |
| MEDC-122 | INTRODUCTION TO PROCEDURAL CODING | 3 | |
| MEDC-125 | HEALTH OFFICE BASICS | 3 | |
| MANG-110 | PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT | 3 | |
| Total: | 16 | ||
| Semester 2 | |||
| No. | Course Title | Credits | |
| ENGL-200 | ENGLISH COMPOSITION 2: AN INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE | 3 | |
| MEDC-120 | INTRODUCTION TO DIAGNOSTIC CODING | 4 | |
| MEDC-225 | HEALTH OFFICE ADVANCED | 3 | |
| MAST-330 | HUMAN BODY IN HEALTH AND DISEASE | 3 | |
| BUSN-101 | OFFICE ACCOUNTING 1 | 3 | |
| Total: | 16 | ||
| Semester 3 | |||
| No. | Course Title | Credits | |
| MEDC-305 | ADVANCED CODING | 3 | |
| CMPA-160 | COMPUTER BASICS: CONCEPTS AND APPLICATIONS | 3 | |
| MEDC-230 | ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD | 2 | |
| MEDC-300 | FACILITY/HOSPITAL BILLING AND REIMBURSEMENT | 3 | |
| MEDC-401 | HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT | 3 | |
| ELGED | GENERAL EDUCATION ELECTIVE | 3 | |
| Total: | 17 | ||
| Semester 4 | |||
| No. | Course Title | Credits | |
| MEDC-301 | CO-OP FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES | 3 | OR |
| ELBUS | GENERAL BUSINESS ELECTIVE | 3 | |
| MEDC-405 | CERTIFICATION EXAM PREPARATION FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES | 2 | |
| ELHSM | ELHSM - HUMANITIES, SOCIAL SCIENCE OR MATH ELECTIVE | 3 | |
| PSYC-100 | GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY | 3 | OR |
| SOCL-100 | INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY | 3 | |
| ELGED | GENERAL EDUCATION ELECTIVE | 3 | |
| Total: | 14 | ||
| Total (MCBS.AS) Curriculum Program Credits: | 63 | ||
Upon the successful completion of the requirements of this program, a Associate in Science in Office Information Technologies from STCC will be awarded.