Medical Coding and Billing Specialist - Associates Program
This program prepares students for employment in hospitals, ambulatory centers, visiting nursing associations, insurance companies, dental and 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 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-081.
- 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)
| Semester 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| No. | Course Title | Credits |
| BIOL-143 | FUNDAMENTALS OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I | 3 |
| CMPA-160 | COMPUTER BASICS: CONCEPTS AND APPLICATIONS | 3 |
| ENGL-100 | ENGLISH COMPOSITION 1 | 3 |
| MEDC-120 | INTRODUCTION TO DIAGNOSTIC CODING | 4 |
| MEDC-121 | INTRODUCTION TO PROCEDURAL CODING | 4 |
| Total: | 17 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| No. | Course Title | Credits |
| ENGL-200 | ENGLISH COMPOSITION 2: AN INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE | 3 |
| BIOL-243 | FUNDAMENTALS OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2 | 3 |
| MAST-330 | HUMAN BODY IN HEALTH AND DISEASE | 3 |
| MEDC-218 | HEALTH INSURANCE AND REIMBURSEMENT MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| MEDC-220 | TECHNICAL APPLICATIONS OF BILLING AND REIMBURSEMENT MANAGEMENT | 2 |
| MEDC-305 | ADVANCED CODING | 3 |
| Total: | 17 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| No. | Course Title | Credits |
| ACCT-110 | ACCOUNTING 1 | 4 |
| CMPA-116 | DATA ENTRY KEYBOARD | 3 |
| MEDC-401 | HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| PSYC-100 | GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (or) | 3 |
| SOCL-100 | INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY | 3 |
| Total: | 13 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| No. | Course Title | Credits |
| MEDC-301 | CO-OP FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES | 3 |
| MEDC-405 | CERTIFICATION EXAM PREPARATION FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES | 2 |
| ELHSM | ELHSM - HUMANITIES, SOCIAL SCIENCE OR MATH ELECTIVE | 3 |
| ELBUS | GENERAL BUSINESS ELECTIVE | 3 |
| ELGED | GENERAL EDUCATION ELECTIVE | 3 |
| Total: | 14 | |
Upon the successful completion of the requirements of this program, a Associate in Science in Office Information Technologies from STCC will be awarded.